Newscoma

I was wandering around the blogosphere this a.m., and found this article about what presidential candidates really CAN’T, or won’t rather, say while being on the campaign trail, and in all honesty, what they can’t do because of the status quo.

I found it to be very interesting. The writer cites that candidates are not going to get too “passionate” about certain things. They want us to think they are leaders, sure, but they only want to touch on things just enough to get our hineys out to the polls on that infamous day in November.

We don’t know what they’ll do in all honesty. Did we expect what we have now as a nation?

Some of the things the post discussed where items like illegal immigration (where they come out and say NO, we can’t get 12 million folks out of this country in a mass sweep cause it just isn’t going to happen) or that conspiracy theories become urban legends that the media reports as facts.

They are going to say what the majority of people who actually vote or going to buy. Retail, of course.

Interesting. Some of the list of the 20 things candidates won’t talk about will most likely make folks mad, but it’s an interesting dialogue to say the least.

Here is a snippet:

What’s sort of weird about all this is that a lot of people actually seem to agree with the “fringe” candidates – those who confront some of the taboo topics on my list. Ron Paul has had some luck pressing forward with ideas and positions that are considered taboo. He’s the breakout “fringe” candidate this year, but fringe nevertheless. And substantial numbers — maybe even a majority — of Democratic primary voters like Dennis Kucinich’s positions on the issues better than those of Clinton or Obama. But Kucinich’s campaign has never even caught a light breeze.

Obviously, perception trumps content. Voters may agree with nearly everything a fringe candidate says, but when the media echo chamber dismisses that candidate as “fringe,” they are drawing a big “L” for Loser across the candidate’s face. And while voters will eventually develop some measure of contempt for the actual President, loser candidates are beneath contempt, and can’t really be taken seriously.

The idea of retail politics gives me a case of the wiggums. Because it’s a selling technique and that’s about it. It also works on the theory that the squeeky wheel gets the oil.

I think I would add the quote “Mission Accomplished” to that list as something that will never be uttered by a president for the rest of this country’s days.

Ironically, I found this post on Fark.

Just saying.

I realize I’m still on the Man Vs. Wild thing.

Yeah, I know there is a lot going on in this world. Britney Spears’ dog pooping on a $6700 dress, Mike Bloomberg starting an ominous website called, ironically, Mike2008.com (wonder what that’s all about, heh) and me just not understanding why very rich people just don’t get a driver.

I digress.

It appears our BFF, Bear Grylls, has been doing more than just staying at a hotel, eating blueberry muffins (why would he then eat a grub? This I cannot understand) and biting the heads off of snakes.

Well, I have decided I’m a survivalist as well if I can do this:

According to Weinert, while filming in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains – an episode in which Grylls, 33, is seen biting off the head of a snake for breakfast – Grylls actually spent some nights with the show’s crew in a lodge outfitted with television, stone fireplaces, hot tubs and Internet access.

The Pines Resort at Bass Lake is advertised as “a cozy getaway for families” and is a luxurious hotel with its own spa on a lake.

In another instance, where Grylls was supposed to be surviving on a desert island, he was actually in Hawaii and spent nights at a motel, Weinert said.

The same episode had Grylls building a Polynesian-style raft using only materials around him, including bamboo, hibiscus twine and palm leaves for a sail. Weinert said he actually led a team of builders to construct the raft.

I need a staff, dammit. Many times just to get across the parking lot, but a staff is indeed what I think would enhance my survival experience.

As Sara Sue says, Kill Your TV.

But then what would I do

I’m sorry but is the management of the Atlanta Falcons a bunch of rubes.

I don’t usually get this ugly, but please:

The Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday said they did not anticipate star quarterback Michael Vick’s indictment on charges related to dogfighting.

“We had absolutely no idea that the indictment was coming on that day at that time,” Falcons General Manager Rich McKay said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon at the team’s Atlanta office.

After FBI and Virginia police investigators searched property Vick owns near Smithfield, Virginia, a federal grand jury indicted him and three associates July 17 on charges related to dogfighting.

“There was always that potential, but there was no timing to us that we knew of,” McKay said.

Your guy, Michael Vick, is accused of six years of, for all practical purposes, torturing dogs.

According to the indictment, Vick and his associates obtained the Virginia property for the purpose of staging dogfights, bought dogs and then fought them there, and in several other states, over six years.

Six years.

Mabel would cheerfully bite him. She’s not very tall, but she’s got a snap.

I’ve kind of been on political kick lately. I need to go see the new Harry Potter movie or something. Maybe the Transformers. Or I could get Showtime so I can watch Big Brother from midnight to 3 a.m., but then I would be one tired cat all day and I need my sleep instead of watching really dingy people try to strategize about, well, absolutely nothing of value.

I’m just in awe.

Seriously in awe at that sometimes are nation’s leadership is about as savvy as, let’s say, that squid that washed up on Australia’s coast line earlier this week or a bowl of boiled shrimp.

So, I want to tell you I’ve been subpoenaed a couple of times. Yeah, it’s annoying. Nothing major other than I had to put pantyhose/make-up on and go hang out in the courthouse all day. Now, the beautiful thing is, I like going to court. It’s not a burden for me.

I don’t have anything to hide.

Or maybe I do. Here in Hooterville, you sit out in the hall until the bailiff calls your name, go in, tell your tale, flirt with bailiff, clear voice and speak into the microphone and then answer this strange ritual of judicial process called “questions”. You answer them, then you are done. Then you go outside, gossip for a bit on said case and then head home and make tacos and watch the dogs run around.

It’s easy and it’s not hard.

But I have decided next time I’m subpoenaed, I’m just not going. You know, I’m part of this big old country but I recently realized I’ve been breaking speeding laws and I just don’t want to talk about it because, you know, it’s painful and embarrassing and I might have to reveal this under oath.  I also, at 41, have not always been the pristine and kind host you are reading at this moment. I’m partial to three beers instead of one. I have smoked and been trying to beat it (and am taking Chantix because I’m highly addicted to nicotine and had to ask for help so I guess I’m weak and worthless because I needed assistance), I have been to a psychic more than once and, gasp, I’m divorced. For more than 18 years, but there are BODIES, people.  BODIES, I’m telling you. I’ve voted in every election since I was 18 (I think, no, I’m pretty sure but what if I’m wrong. That would be scandalous and I would be shamed if I was wrong.) But, someone might find out what I know or they might find out the not so pleasant stuff about me.

So I’m just not going.

Because, the way I feel about it, if Harriet Myers doesn’t have to go testify under an order of executive privilege and is ordered by the president not to testify to hide things, then that means I don’t have to go next time either.

Well, that’s not reasonable, I know.

Just saying.

I am in the wrong damned business.

“Like the massage fingers?” White House communications boss Ed Gillespie asked NBC’s David Gregory, as reporters settled into their comfy new chairs. “Try Number 3,” another reporter advised.

And then this:

The cost of the nearly yearlong renovation — which took in the briefing room and media working quarters as well as one section of the White House press office — is unknown. Early estimates were around $20 million (€14.5 million). But the time frame, originally envisioned to be three months, swelled to nine months and then more with many unanticipated problems.

Apparently is was a dilapidated mess, and they did need an upgrade that included internet capabilities, I get that. And, it is the White House. I get that.  But doesn’t it take some of the charm away regarding the romantic days of fedoras with scoop on their hats and reporters on the White house beat. I mean, to have massage chairs? Or was that a joke. Tell me it was a joke.

Wider blue-leather briefing room chairs replace the old stained-and-duct-taped upholstered ones. Each of the 49 seats, one more than before, also now has Internet, phone and power connections.

_The former hot television lights have become an expensive array of cooler, more environmentally friendly ones.

_The area below the briefing room, for years a swimming pool built in 1933 for Franklin D. Roosevelt, is now a technician’s dream – rack after rack of video equipment and 570 miles of cable.

_New microphones mounted in the ceiling balance sound that is fed into a state-of-the-art audio system.

I want a massage chair. I want to a chair that makes me all comfy and lazy while asking the president questions.

Please tell me that tax payers didn’t pay as much as they are saying.

I’m begging you.

I mean, couldn’t some of that money gone to something else.

Yeah, I know.

I’m old school.

So Scooter Libby got a pass. I think we have just witnessed that our judicial system no longer matters in this country as long as George Bush is at the helm.  No, he didn’t pardon him but he did commute his sentence. Only five hours after a federal criminal appeals panel said Scooter couldn’t delay heading to the pokey any longer.

Yeah, Bush and Co. say that Libby’s reputation is ruined and yada, yada, but the thing that bothers me the most about that is that with commuting the sentence, The White House basically just said, “Hey, a jury said this, judges said this,  but I don’t like it so I’m gonna change it.”

This is not out of character for this administration. Citizens don’t matter anymore unless you are buddies with Cheney and Bush. Then, apparently, you can do anything you want to do. Sharon Cobb might have the right idea here.

This case goes back to 2003. Here’s the background on everything that’s happened in an article from 2005.

And, Atrios has a run down on what the democratic candidates for president said late yesterday about this development.

This is some unsavory business with Libby, Bush and his clan. For a guy that was tough on criminals while he was governor of Texas, he sure has changed his tune, hasn’t he?

And if our elected officials (or the ones I elect anyway) don’t start throwing some accountability checks out there, I’m voting them out of office. I do have one vote.

Seriously, my only recommendation on this is for everyone to read this crazy document that applies this week.

Wait, Bush said in December, 2005, and I quote “Stop throwing the Constitution in my face,” he screamed, “It’s just a godd**ned piece of paper.” Here’s more.

Indeed, George, you are proving you meant that when you said it. Everyday.

Feh.

Well, as I know you all are wondering how my broken tooth is and have lost countless hours of sleep about it, I thought I’d give you an update. I must add that taking half a painkiller, forgetting you took said half of a painkiller and then drinking a couple of beers is ill-advised.

You’d think I’d learn. (Disclaimer: Kids, don’t try this at home. Or at work. Or ever.)

But, hey, there was little or no pain for about three hours, so I have that going for me.  I was thinking yesterday that I’d probably be pounding on the door of my dentist a bit harder if you could see the broken tooth.

Oh vanity, how you rule my world.

I spoke to my sister, Homer, about this and she laughed about me having meth mouth. As I have never used meth but seen the sad and diminishing teeth of those who use the drug, I was sorta grossed out about that. If you want to see meth mouth, go here but in all honesty, I wouldn’t advise it. If you do go to see that, I’ve seen worse as meth is a big thing here is rural northwest Tennessee. It’s some nasty stuff. In all honesty, meth creeps me out. Doing drugs made out of WD40, lithium batteries and furniture polish is also ill-advised if you ask me.  No good can come from it. No good at all. Go back and look at those teeth if you aren’t a believer. Blech.

The problem is that a little nerve shows up every once in awhile trying to make me go loco. It peaks it’s little head out from under my tooth and says basically “‘Coma, I’m here to make your world a living version of hell.”

When this happens, I also start to drool a bit.

Ain’t I sexy?  Nope, but I thought I’d gross you out a bit on this fine Tuesday morning.
Blinding pain as if a monkey was beating me about the head with a stick. An aggravated monkey, sort of like this one.

Paris Hilton.

Please go away. And By Golly, if I ever have to be in court, can I just call it in?

Just saying.

Update: The Judge called BS on this move. He’s sent a deputy to pick her up. THIS IS THE LEAD STORY on CNN. Moving on where I can actually see some news.

I’m watching CNN.

Thus far I’ve seen these things:

• Paris Hilton apparently had a first good night in the slammer. (Don’t care.)
• Criss Angel news of being dropped in a concrete box.
• A Golf Cart DUI
• Some weird story about John Ramsey and Beth Twitty, who Squirrel Queen had to tell me twice the story was not about Dave Ramsey and Conway Twitty.  They kept saying Ramsey and Twitty. I wasn’t paying that much attention so I admit, shamefully, my confusion. Sometimes I frustrate the Rodent Goddess.

CNN, you’re killing me. Can I see something crazy, called news?

***deep, bone rattling sigh***

When you see this it’s hard to believe this.

People usually are not sorry for their actions when it benefits them financially. They are sorry they got caught.

I know, cynical me.

ESPN Colin Cowherd really went and did it this time, didn’t he? On his show last week, he went on a rant about a blog and challenged his readers to fake hit the site to overwhelm it’s bandwidth and to bring it down.

And they did.

This is probably every blogger’s worst nightmare.

The blog, called The Big Lead, which in all honesty I had never heard of before, was down for more than 96 hours. I bet Cowherd felt all powerful with his little stunt, which was an asshat move if you ask me.

And some of the big time blogs are not happy. Deadspin said this:

Today, upset with something The Big Lead had written about him (or someone, or something, imagined or otherwise), Cowherd told his listeners to unleash a DNS attack on the site. One of the tech people here at Gawker Media tells us: “When someone floods a website with so many fake hits that the servers get overloaded, the site, essentially, goes down. A programmer could write a script to load the website once a second.”

SQ was reading me this story this morning and it apparently has caused a storm because other blogs are backing the blog up. It was so bad that the new ombudsman, LeAnne Shcrieber wrote an article condemning Cowherd’s behavior on his show citing it was distasteful however he will not receive any disciplinary action from ESPN. There will be a policy put in place, however, he apparently won’t be affected by it.

Cowherd, for whatever reason, went over the line. He’s had trouble with blogs before having to apparently (I did not know this) using material about the University of Michigan from a blog called The M Zone retrieved from a blog and not giving attribution. When they asked for credit, he called them a bunch of whiners but later apologized. (source Deadspin article and Wikipedia)

I think it would be safe to say one of two things. A.) Cowherd doesn’t like blogs. and B.) Cowherd uses blogs for his radio show for material but doesn’t value them and apparently The Big Lead pissed him off for some reason (my opinion of course.)

Now let me say this. I don’t give two chicken craps (heh) about Cowherd one way or the other. I have listened to him before because I live with a Sports Editor and she gets all surly if she doesn’t get to listen to sports radio. On the other hand, I’ve always thought Cowherd was a bit condescending.

But to intentionally crash a blogger’s site on purpose was a power trip proving he could. And, alas, he did.

It was jerk move.

Hat Tip To Squirrel Queen 

When I saw that unabashed liberal Ted Rall sent a letter to Media Matters and the Human Rights Campaign defending Ann Coulter, I took a moment and thought, okay, what the hell. He is not kind about her in the least (who on the left is. I can’t stand her) but he did make some thought-provoking points about her right to say what she wants to say. He says many things, but he also adds this and I had to think about it.

Right-wing extremist groups used similar sleazy tactics against me between 2001 and 2005, asking conservatives to impersonate angry subscribers to my client publications. While most editors saw through the deception, some didn’t. In the ideologically charged atmosphere of the time, even papers with sterling, left-of-center reputations were cowed into submission. During the Clinton years, I was one of The New York Times’ most frequently reprinted editorial cartoonists, and a contributor to the Op-Ed Page. Under Bush my work appeared a few times before disappearing.

Now that the political winds have changed in our favor, progressives whose views were marginalized, insulted as acts of treason and subsequently vindicated by events are understandably tempted to get even with caustic personalities like Coulter for their vitriol and intolerance. More than ever, however, we must resist the urge to lower ourselves to their level. How can we complain about right-wing hatred if we match it with our own? How can we bemoan right-wing censorship campaigns if we do the same thing?

Now let me say this. I don’t like Coulter. AT ALL. But Rall, who has been the victim of her vile “joking” attacks, is saying some interesting things about freedom of speech.

Read the whole thing over at Editor and Publisher. It’s food for thought. I just wish no one had picked up her crappy column in the first place, put her on a pedestal and then acted shocked when she consistently showed her true colors time and time again in the first place.

Damn you, Rall, for making me think about this.