November 28, 2006

Dumb Headline Of The Day: Runner-Up

"Women talk three times as much as men, says study"

What would we do without these studies?

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Dumb Headline Of The Day

"More women have abortions as it loses stigma"

Gee, do you really think so?

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November 27, 2006

McCain Watch Poll Update

Okay, so the results are in. Let's take a look.

The questions: "If AZ Senator John McCain Earned The GOP Nomination in 2008, Would You Vote For Him?"

The answers/distribution:

6.0% - Absolutely, He's My First Choice For The Nomination
16.0% - He's Not My First Choice, But I'd Vote For Him In The General Election
30.0% - I Wouldn't Be Thrilled About It, But I'd Hold My Nose And Pull The Lever
20.0% - Only If Hillary Was The Democrat Candidate
6.0% - I Would Consider Not Voting On Election Day
6.0% - I Would Definitely Stay Home On Election Day
16.0% - I Would Vote Democrat Rather Than See McCain Become President

Of the seven choices, I would aggregate the first three answers as "yes", the last three as "no" and the middle option stipulating only if Hillary were the Dem nominee as a qualified "neutral".

Now, four months ago I ran an identical poll. The results were:

14.2% - Absolutely, He's My First Choice For The Nomination
14.2% - He's Not My First Choice, But I'd Vote For Him In The General Election
35.0% - I Wouldn't Be Thrilled About It, But I'd Hold My Nose And Pull The Lever
18.3% - Only If Hillary Was The Democrat Candidate
5.0% - I Would Consider Not Voting On Election Day
0.0% - I Would Definitely Stay Home On Election Day
13.3% - I Would Vote Democrat Rather Than See McCain Become President

Aggregating the answers, McCain has gone from Yes - 63.4%, No - 18.3%, Neutral - 18.3% in July to Yes - 52.0%, No - 28.0%, Neutral - 20.0% as of this morning. Certainly there is nothing scientific about an internet poll on a blog but I'm operating under the assumption that most of the votes come from people who are Republicans and/or lean Conservative. That being the case, this represents a shift in "favorability" away from McCain among those who would be in a position to vote on the nomination in 2008. In particular, the percentage voting "definitely stay home" or "vote Democrat" aggregate moved from 13.3% to 22.0%.

Now, personally, I would have guessed that McCain would experience a slight increase in the favorability in light of the prospect of a Shrillary Presidency with Dems in control of Congress. Eh, what do I know? It's still two years away and the field is wide-open. Expect at least a dozen or so candidates to throw their hats in. It will be interesting to see how this evolves over time.

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November 26, 2006

MSM Beginning To Turn Ugly On Its Favorite Maverick

Well, that didn't take long. The LA Times has an editorial critical of Sen. John McCain and Kevin Drum at the Washington Monthly's blog has jumped on it as a wooden paddle to smack around the MSM's favorite Republican.

Matt Welch, a contributor to the libertarian magazine Reason, is sounding the warning bells about the Arizona Senator.

McCain, it turns out, wants to restore your faith in the U.S. government by any means necessary, even if that requires thousands of more military deaths, national service for civilians and federal micromanaging of innumerable private transactions. He'll kick down the doors of boardroom and bedroom, mixing Democrats' nanny-state regulations with the GOP's red-meat paternalism in a dangerous brew of government activism. And he's trying to accomplish this, in part, for reasons of self-realization.
Remember how the folks in the MSM liked to gush over this "independent-minded" fellow who's not afraid to break with his party? That old routine seems to have become played out. To read Kevin Drum's response, you'd think McCain is now all of a sudden the country's worst nightmare.
This doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves, but despite his soothing speaking style McCain may literally be in the 99% percentile of hawkishness. That is, he may be more hawkish than every single one of his fellow senators. Some "centrist."

McCain has been the focus of some moderately bad press lately because of his notable lack of straight talk ever since he got serious about running for president in 2008: pandering to Jerry Falwell, switching his views on Roe v. Wade, caving in on the torture bill, and abandoning his long-held views on campaign finance reform. And that's all well and good. He deserves to get beaten up for this stuff the same as ordinary mortals do.

It's as if Drum has suddenly decided that McCain is no longer that political rock star who rode the "Straight Talk Express" six years ago and is giving us a "hey, wait a minute" analysis. But then, this shouldn't really come as any surprise. Now that the exploratory campaign has officially launched, the Senator's duplicitous "friends" in the media are going to spend the next two years giving him more than "moderately bad press" - with an eye toward crippling his candidacy.

There are things about John McCain that I like. And there are things that I don't particularly like. But the Senator from Arizona has been used by the MSM as a foil for President Bush ever since the 2000 election. Unfortunately for him, McCain was only too happy to accept their disingenuous praise. Now he'll have to deal with their scorn. Because, frankly, he looks like the one candidate that could handily close the door on Her Shrillness' Presidential hopes.

And the MSM can't have that, now, can they?

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November 24, 2006

Diane Lane Photo Of The Week

...a day early and all weekend long.

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How do ya like them apples?

And this week's Diane Lane Netflix Pick of the Week:

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The Outsiders: The Complete Novel (Extended Edition) (1983)

Synopsis:
Acclaimed filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola breathes new life into his beloved 1983 coming-of-age tale based on the novel by S.E. Hinton. This restored version features 22 minutes of previously unreleased footage, including a new beginning and ending; a new soundtrack (with tunes from Elvis and Van Morrison); director commentary; and remarks from cast members Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe and Diane Lane.

Gary's take: A red-haired Diane Lane is the sweet spot that shines in what is otherwise basically a sausage convention of teen heartthrobs. An old 80's favorite that's worth another look for the extra footage put back into the film. And of course, Diane Lane in that fuzzy sweater. Whoo-Hoo!

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November 23, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving

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Best wishes to you and yours. The author is busy eating, drinking and watching football. There will probably be no other posting to...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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November 22, 2006

Stress Management For The Holidays

Last year, on the day before Thanksgiving, I posted some advice for those folks who have to face a holiday feast among the politically diverse. What follows is a reprint of that post (with a post-election update):

The Elephant In The Room
November 23, 2005

Or "Being Surrounded By Donkeys On Thanksgiving".

Many of us who are Conservatives and/or Republicans and live in "Blue States" will be going to visit relatives tomorrow. And many of us will come into contact with relatives who are Liberals and/or Democrats openly hostile to President Bush, the war or the GOP in general. more...

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November 21, 2006

How's This For A Conversation Piece?

Imagine this in the center of your Thanksgiving table:

furniture.jpg

This is from a Dutch carpenter whose work is on display in an art gallery in Germany.

Cabinet maker Mario Philippona designed a range of stylish wooden cupboards, wardrobes and tables using the female anatomy as his inspiration.

His newest piece is a fruit bowl decorated with realistically shaped life-size wooden breasts called 'TittyFruity'.

Other pieces include a wine-glass cupboard in the shape of a pair of large breasts, a table supported by legs moulded from a female model and a bedside drawer which opens by pressing a button in the piece's 'vagina'.

Philippona said: "The shape of a woman, her organic architecture, combined with my passion for wood inspired me to sculpt these sexy designs."

I can hear dear old Uncle Gus as he passes the cranberry sauce, "Just look at them sweet potaters! Haw, Haw, Haw!"

At least it gives us guys a little reminder of what to be thankful for. :-)

OK, it's a slow news week...

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November 20, 2006

RINO Sightings Are Up

The "Lazy Turkey Day Edition" hosted by JimK at RightThoughts!

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The Sorting Hat Speaks

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"Heh. You got Hufflepuff, pootie-poot! Only two kinds of wizards in Hufflepuff, steers and queers. I don't see any horns on you, hoss..."

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Happy Monday!

Heres Brucie.jpg

Yeah, sometimes you're the cute little Cape Fur seal, sometimes you're the giant razor-toothed man-eating Great White shark.

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November 18, 2006

Mort Kondracke Gives Pelosi New Nickname

The "Wicked Witch of the West".

OK, admit it. You were all thinking it, weren't you? Now it's been said, and by a Liberal no less. I hope this sticks.

UPDATE:
Don't Go Into The Light has a great photoshop on this topic. Go see it here.

And if it does stick, I'm stealing it!

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Diane Lane Photo Of The Week

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And this week's Diane Lane Netflix Pick of the Week:

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The Perfect Storm (2000)

Synopsis:
Veteran fisherman Billy Tyne (George Clooney) has had a run of disappointing catches and is determined to change his luck by going beyond the normal reach of New England fishing boats to the remote Flemish Cap. Once out at sea, he hears about a huge storm building up, but is convinced he can beat it back to Gloucester, taking an enormous catch with him. If he doesn't try, his crew will come away empty-handed on this last trip of the season.

Gary's take: Honestly, if you had this honey waiting for you back on dry land would you really get on this boat of doom? Screw that! Time for a new job. Any woman who looks like Diane Lane and is willing to put up with a guy who smells like fish all the time is a keeper. An exciting film, but I can't get over the depressing ending (which was already so popularized by the novel that everyone knows going into it). Mark Wahlberg and John C. Reilly are the stand-outs in the cast though even Clooney does well enough in this one that you forget what an asshole he is.

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November 17, 2006

BSG Geeks Demand Better Episodes

Actually, I didn't have a problem with last week's show they way so many others seemed to. It seems ever since the new season premiered with the whole New Caprica/Iraqtica controversy a lot of fans are getting paranoid that Ronald D. Moore and Co. are taking a turn to the Left in their storylines. I disagree.

The writers are bringing controversial issues into the show (i.e. arguments for and against a Cylon genocide in "A Measure Of Salvation"). But when have they not? I don't see these as Liberal versus Conservative arguments at all. They're issues relating to humanity. And they're designed (IMO) to simply make you think as well as entertain.

Remember when Luke Skywalker asked Yoda what was in the "haunted" tree on Dagobah? Yoda answered, "Only what you take with you." I think Liberals and Conservatives alike would enjoy the show more if they put some of their preconceived ideas aside for one hour. Anyway, it works for me. If you have iTunes, I highly recommend downloading the podcasts and listen to Moore's commentary as he sucks back double-malt scotch.

Enjoy tonight's show:

BSG trio1.jpg

"Hero"
9pm on Sci-Fi

UPDATE:
Not too shabby. In two weeks: Lee and Kara take out some pent-up sexual energy in the boxing ring. Snootchie-bootchie!

UPDATE DEUX:
Quote from RDM's commentary from last week (on the topic of genocide):
"It's not about giving the answers, it's about asking the questions."
The scene with the debate over Cylon genocide reflected an actual debate among the writers. Some of the writers were like "well, why wouldn't they release this virus? Duh!" Others raised the question, "well are they really people? Are they beings? Would it actually be genocide?"

Me: Those who feel strongly about a culture of life should think about it. Humans gave life to the Cylons. Are they life? They're machines but they're partially organic. They possess living cells, but do they qualify as sentient beings? Could they possibly have souls? It blows the mind, really. Something to ponder. For what it's worth...

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Star Wars Geeks Demand Recognition From UN

Apparently, "Jedi" is the fourth largest religion in the UK.

OK, did I just write that? The fourth freaking largest religion in the United Kingdom!!!! Are you kidding me? No, I guess they're not.

‘We therefore are calling upon the United Nations Association to change November 16 to the UN Interstellar Day of Tolerance, to reflect the religious make-up of our twenty-first century civilisation.

‘Tolerance is about respecting difference where ever it lies, including other galaxies. Please don't exclude us from your important work. May the Force be with you.’

In the 2001 UK Census 390,000 people listed their religion as Jedi Knight making it the fourth biggest belief in the country.

There are also an estimated 70,000 Jedi knights in Australia, 53,000 in New Zealand and 20,000 in Canada.

WTF? They want to insert the word "interstellar" into the already utopian designation of "UN Day of Tolerance". This is political correctness at its most outrageous.

Look, I'll spot them the religion angle, but by what rationale do they come up with "interstellar". They're from THIS planet. Living in your parents' basement doesn't qualify as interstellar no matter how you have it decorated. The Star Wars Universe is not real. There are no Wookies, no Twi'leks, no Bothans, no Jawas...

Well, OK there are Jawas. Sorry 'bout that, Rusty.

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Updating The "McCain Watch" Poll

Now that the dust has settled (mostly) on Election 2006, what better time to trot out the "How Do You Feel About McCain?" poll - now in the sidebar to the left. Regular readers know how I feel about the AZ Senator and I have no reason to advocate any one particular answer. I'm just curious.

With the GOP turned out of power in Congress and the exit polls all pointing to the influence of the "middle" (however you define that) it will be interesting to note any changes from the last poll.

Are Republicans who were previously down on McCain giving him a second look in the wake of last week's results? Have more people moved away from him? It's your chance to weigh in. I'll leave it open until the 27th and then I'll compare the results.

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November 16, 2006

Le Beaujolais Nouveau Est Arrive!

MelissaTheuriau_3.jpg

Wine - the second best thing to come out of France.

It's the third Thursday of November so that means the Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived in your local wine shop.

"Huh?", you ask.

gamay_grapes_picked.jpg

Basically, wine produced in the region of Beaujolais in France this past harvest has been fermented, bottled and shipped all over the world for release today. Beaujolais is a light-bodied, red wine produced by a grape called Gamay Noir (a clone of the more famous Pinot Noir). The whole process from grape-picking to wine-shipping took less than three months, not your standard procedure for wine production. But this particular process has become an annual event celebrated around the world. OK, basically it's just an excuse to party.

BeaujolaisNouveau.JPG

I got my first bottle earlier today and I can't think of a better way to celebrate the fact that I've finally caught up with all five seasons of "24" effective tonight. I just watched the final episode of season five on A&E, and I can't wait for January. I also can't wait to surf over to "Blogs4Bauer" now that I'm finally immune to spoilers!

Oh, and the gratuitous Melissa Theuriau photo has more relevance than the simple fact that she's French. Melissa's first job was picking Gamay grapes in Beaujolais. Sweet. :-)

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Milton Friedman (1912-2006)

Brilliant, brilliant man. Nobel prize winner for economics in 1976. Wonder why tax cuts spurred such strong economic growth in the 1960's, 1980's and the last three years? Friedman knew. Economics is like a natural science in that it follows natural laws; laws of human nature rather than mother nature. When you try to artificially change these natural laws you get...as you do in science...disasterous unintended consequences. Friedman understood this well.

I highly recommend his excellent work, "Free To Choose".

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He was 94. And he will be missed. R.I.P., Uncle Milton.

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No Murtha

"Tin-foil hat" Jack rejected 149-86 by Dem House Caucus.

Nancy's first defeat, leaving a festering open wound for the new majority.

Heh.

UPDATE:
When a Liberal Democrat loses the NY Times Editorial Board, that says a lot.

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The Left's Iraq Obsession

Having watched the House Majority Leader race over the last couple of days, I've come to one definite conclusion about the Left: unless every single soldier is withdrawn from Iraqi soil by the time George W. Bush leaves office they will not consider this last election a success.

Forget about Nancy Pelosi's other agenda items, it's Iraq or nothing. This is why even a bumbling, ethically-challenged doofus like Jack Murtha has so much support among the nutroots. It's his one big issue: Iraq, Iraq, Iraq. Nothing else matters. Get us out and get us out now. With no consideration of the consequences.

Why? It's the BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome). The moonbats know that impeachment isn't a realistic option. They know that the President will leave office in January, 2009 - right on schedule. That's two complete terms. They're only hope in satisfying their Bush hatred is to force the U.S. to completely withdraw before that fateful day so they can "tarnish" his legacy. Forget about leaving the Iraqi people in the lurch. Forget about letting a fledgling democracy turn into a new terrorist state. Forget about the sacrifices our brave men and women in uniform have made over the last three plus years. To them, their lives are unimportant anyway.

We must fail. Which means Bush fails. And if Bush fails, these ass-clowns can finally get their jollies and a feeling of self-worth, like they made a difference. This is as close to "bringing down" a President that they despise as they can get. And revenge against Joe Lieberman would be the icing on the cake. It's all they can think about.

It's not about governing. Even their most cherished "progressive" ideas will take a backseat to this all-encompassing obsession if they get their way.

It's really breath-taking when you think about it, to be so consumed with this bitter bile that everything else can go by the wayside.

Ugh. What a pathetic way to be.

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