Good News

OJ Simpson: An American Tragedy

OJ had the world by the balls. Hall of Fame football career; lucrative post football career; loving friends and family.

He dumped his loyal first wife for young blonde beauty, made a couple more kids. Because of his insane behavior, the beautiful blonde took a hike. But no, OJ read too many press clippings. He was the man and refused to be dumped.

The same percentage of Americans who think W is doing a good job represent the same percentage of clueless wonders who think some other than OJ killed Nicole and Ron.

The not guilty verdict left me stunned. What further surprised me was how the black community embraced this man. OJ walked away that community YEARS ago. 

For anyone to suggest OJ faced the same indignities as any black man in Compton or LA is just absurd.

His money, fame and a lousy DA department bought OJ a second chance the average black man would kill for.

Maybe it was guilt or the makings of a really bad Edgar Allen Poe saga, that led OJ to break into the hotel room on that fateful evening. 

You would have thought he would have quietly rode off into the sunset. Hell, when MJ was found not guilty he had enough sense to leave the freakin' country.

Not OJ, he  dropped his pants and mooned the world. Now, he will probably spend the rest of his life in prison. You can't convince me that the other verdict didn't loom in their subconscious. I have zero sympathy for this man. He simply wasn't a nice person and was too arrogant to get out of his own way.

What a dumbass.............

Kisses for Pat

I have to admit I developed a soft spot for Pat Burrell. It developed the end of last season. He finally found his swing.

He lumbers in the outfield and moves down the first base line like a freight train versus the Acela like speed of Ryan Howard.  For a big boy Howard can move.

I was calling for his head for years but no one would take him because of his huge price tag. This year, when da boys bats were cold as ice, Burrell kept us in the mix.

For the first time in his career, he deserved to be an all star.

Yeah, he has been struggling but so has poster boy Utley.

Burrell stepped up and found his groove when we needed him the most, truly the sign of a gamer.

Lots of kisses to him and Manuel.

Re-Sign him next year for a reduced salary. He has earned the right to end his career in Philly.

Broken Ribs, Broken Economy

I spent part of my day getting my hair braided. When I emerged from the salon, I flipped on the radio as the market was descending by 785 points.  Accepting the fact, I will NEVER retire, I switched to the local sports station to find out Brian Westbrook had three broken ribs.

Thank God for the Phillies because the Eagles Offensive line, Akers' reliability and Reid's play calling are in the witness protection program.

Seize their Assets

It's lovely that Waxman and Company grilled the banking executives. But I would really love to see the seizure of their assets.

With their parting packages, the bankers and their heirs will live quite comfortably while others will land on the roles of the unemployment line.

Philly Hawaiian Punch

On a pleasant note, my Phillies are winning. Myers did an incredible job of working the count setting the table for Victorino. Sean crushed the ball

Hooray for Philly......

Palin investigation continues...

Before she was on the short list for McCain, Palin told the folks Alaska, that "she welcomed the investigation" into the firing of the slob who refused to fire her brother-in-law.


Mom always said "Be careful what you ask for, you just may get it."

She sounds like Shrub's declaration of "Bring in on."

Just what we need Shrub in heels.......

Closing California

What's another billion between friends?

Did you really expect to retire?

My advice is to find a gig you really, really love because you will be doing it until you die..

McCain's Bankruptcy Stance

With so many talking points being shoved in Palin's head in three days, so stuff she is going to get wrong....

Bankruptcy protection for second, third, and fourth homeowners.........screw the poor slob who only has one...

A view from the corner office; sending workers to the unemployment line

One of my senior associates, called off work today. He is taking a " I can't believe Fat Boy" still has job mental health day. This latest rounds of cuts seem to hit him particularly hard. He of course is grateful that he is still employed but wonders like everyone else, "Who's next?

Fat Boy is a gentleman, who came to our organization as a Chief Operation Officer of three divisions. In less than a year was demoted to President of One of those divisions. He subsequently was bumped down to a Mentor Producer sucking money out of my division.

If he was not draining revenue from my division, my numbers would be stellar. But no, our CEO has put his relationship with this life force above the survival of our unit. In order, for Fat Boy to stay employed, I had to lay of three women who were ACTUALLY working.

Fat Boy is in his early sixties, according to him, he is only working to create a legacy. So he has plenty of money and he is stealing income from the ladies who need the $35k per year to pay their bills.

He of course is a card carrying Republican and sees nothing wrong with stealing a check because he is trying to find himself.

Like our sitting President, FB has had fifteen jobs and was successful in none of them. But, he gets numerous chances to succeed because he is part of the old farts club.

My hope is the ladies who I had to let go find suitable work soon. As for FB, I hope his Viagra fails him...........

Paulson is open for business

Why is Paulson still employed?

This is your definition of a win

HMMM, Palin manages not to fall out of her shoes, throw up or disrobe on national TV and this is considered a win..............

Bailing out the Best and the Brightest?

The "best and the brightest" are heavily recruited to Wall Street. These people were supposed to be smarter than the rest of us. What happened to business and personal responsibility?

Why do I think these people who showed up to DC begging for us the taxpayers to save their greedy assess are the same people who look down mere mortals who hit hard times?

I would hazard to guess these people these are registered republicans who complain about tax and spend democrats.

Well we have spend and spend republicans who refuse to accept responsibility for the risks they took in our current economic nightmare.

So much for the best and brightess....

South Philly Witness Protection Program for Palin

Since when did South Philly serve as the Witness Protection Program for Republican Vice Presidential Candidates?

h/t Booman

Bush the MBA President

I suppose W slept through most of his classes. He proudly boasted of his poor grades. Cs do get degrees.

It is amazing how much damage one administration can do to a democracy. He has walked to the beat of his own drum. When W didn't get in the way, Pappa sent in his SWAT to quietly clean up his mess.

Unfortunately, W was too stupid, stubborn or both to listen to his Dad or any adult for that matter. Pondering simply did not occur.

I assume crisis management is one of the required courses in any MBA program. To our horror,  W and company has created one crisis after another.

McCain's campaign is one crisis after another. The selection of Palin as his runny mate speaks to McCain's judgement.

His attitude about the economy and his erratic behavior this week scares me. If he can't manage himself and his campaign, how on earth is he going to manage our country?

Clinton was impeached for lying about a blow job. Life was so simple then........

No Thanks to McCain's Suspension Bridge to Nowhere

A friend of mine always calls to chat after significant political events. Late Friday, we conducted our own week in review wrap up.

Sadly, we concluded that McCain is actually worse than Bush after we watched McCain's non-campaign. 

For the good of our country, he should terminate his campaign and let the adults salvage what's left.

I trust McCain learned one lesson this week.............

Don't mess with David Letterman

KKK invades Debate Site

I'm glad Time published this article. What is not lost on me are two glaring points, the leader of this organization chose not to provide his name and there were students who asked for additional information. 

Like it or not racism and bigotry is deep in our country's DNA. The Obama campaign has brought out the best and the worst of who we are.....

With the Klan, you know where you stand. What frightens me are those who don't acknowledge their bigotry. Speaking about those people when you don't think someone you speak of is in the room is a problem that the Republicans do not have an exclusive.

Litigatormom welcome to the team

This is an example of how important the debates are with this election. Every vote counts.

Join me in welcoming litigatormom to the the Obama team!

McCain Humiliated at his own party

If true, this explains why McCain refused to even look at Obama........

I guess if I was unprepared for a meeting that I orchestrated, I would be humiliated too. 

h/t Josh Marshall

McCain, Horseshit, Debate

h/t Brendan Calling...

I missed it but Brendan didn't

Lance Rogers Hosts Rally for Joe Lieberman

I received an robo call from Commissioner Lance Rogers. He is hosting a Rally for Joe Lieberman today at 3:00 pm. 22 West Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA

Lieberman should be shown a little Philly love.....

Bailing out the Bastards

I don't know about you but this just chaps my backside........

AIG: Bullishit Balance Sheet

"It is hard for us without being flippant, to even see a scenario within any kind of realm of reason that would see us losing one dollar in any of those transactions."

-Joseph J. Cassano, 

 former AIG insurance executive

August 2007

The day after Cassano uttered that sentenced, he should have fired and the books examined.

By creating this hybrid product these criminals were able to skirt the insurance regulators. The bottom line was this was an a re-insurance product.

What does that mean? Insurance companies rarely assume all of their risk. Depending on the nature of the risk, re-insurance companies buy the coverage at a certain level. For example, after claim reaches $500,000 a re-insurance carrier starts paying. This is all seamless transaction to the paying customer.

AIG as usual was playing by their own rules. Well, the rest of us have to play industry rules and regulations. What entity was created to make a ton of money without reporting their activities. This was done to intentionally. Isn't intent a criteria for pressing charges?

The feds are looking into what brought our economy to the brink of collapse. My hope is a whistle blower will emerge to assist with the investigation.

Cassano should be rooming with the boys from Enron and WorldCom.

But we should really need to look at our societal values. Clearly, we learned nothing from the dotcom mess. McMansions, multi-properties, easy credit brought us all to this point.

Our priorities are fucked up. Our human and physical infrastructures are woefully underfunded. I make a decent buck and pay a lot of taxes. Spending our tax dollars wisely should be an issue. 

When a bridge collapses, it does not discriminated by party affiliation. When our kids are not prepared to compete in this global economy who pays? Everybody. 

Outsourcing jobs has become the norm. What drives my company is Revenue by Employee. By outsourcing entry level jobs,  the immediate result is improved margins.

Let's look at the long term implications.  A person learned or business from the ground up. By performing these funky tasks one learned the business. Remember apprenticeships or internships? Well folks, these are gone. If you don't have an expertise, staff development simply does not occur.

In the dark ages of the '80s, insurance companies hired college graduates and put them through internal schools. This included, knowing what do with all of the silverware in a restaurant. It was an investment in you and their future. 

What is critical, you were given an opportunity. Hell, a clerk with a high school diploma who worked smart would be given an chase to work his or her way up.

My God what if anything have we learned from recent events?

Lidge: Sure Load the F@#$%ing bases

For the most part, the game was not eventful, until the last inning. Just for the theatrics of it all, Lidge our money closer, loaded the bases. Ugh.

I am watching in horror, running numerous outcomes in my head, none good. "Once again, these bastards are not going to wrap this puppy up until the last game. If they don't blow that game." Lidge should be called Ledge. Now, he gets nervous. Mix up the pitches and for God sake keep them low. You are not alone, just throw a double play pitch. You don't even have to strike 'em out. Holy hell."

It is amazing how many scenarios can run through your head in between pitches.

Then it happened, a clutch play by trashing talking J-Ro.

Unlike, Gonzalez, the author of this piece, and his buddy Wax, I was a sophomore in college, the last time the Phillies the series.

I know what that looks like and I want another....

Conservatism, Voodoo Economics and the Elephant in the room

h/t smirking chip

Long but worth it....

Ed Rollins: GOP Party First

The House Republicans are putting the party before our country..................hmmmmm

Keating, McCain, & Babs

Lady Boxer swings a big hammer.....

Only in Philly

The Fighting Phils control their destiny. All they have to do this weekend is just win.

That's what scares Philly fans. Myers the wife beater was terrible the other night on the mound. He seemed to implode right before our eyes. The cameras captured the horror on Charlie Manual's face after hit number 9 in the second inning. We watched batting practice.

Should we roll over the Nationals? Ah Yah....

But ask the boys at USC about playing a team that you should roll over.

Off to Costco, to buy some Tums.

Bailout the working class?

Good luck with that one........

Evangelist Tony Alamo arrested

Let's see another self-righteous preacher arrested for sex crimes against kids.

I wish this was something new.

Oregon State Topples USC

At the beginning of the college football season, fans of the game, naturally put a a check mark in the win column for USC for this game.

Well folks, somebody forgot to tell those kids at Oregon State. The showed up, played well and WON.

Good for them.

Attytood: McCain's Madman Theory

h/t Will Bunch

The McCain known Only to Brooks

Clearly Brooks knows a man, we have not seen. How McCain has run his life speaks to his character and judgement:

Savings and Loan Scandal

                                                Supporting Bush 90 percent of the time

Palin, Palin, Palin

                                                The economy is fundamentally strong

What have we missed?

Washington Mutual: Game Over

Who's next?

Bonuses, Bush, Bailout, McCain to the rescue?

Today, I finally got off the roller-coaster ride just to catch my breath. To say the last fifteen days working as a mid-level insurance executive has been a nightmare is an understatement.

AIG has been doing their own thang forever. For anyone working in our business to say they were surprised has been sleeping in a cave somewhere. The underlying insurance companies are fine. The AIG executives, like everyone, got neck deep in the mortgage bullshit gambled and lost.

What is so not funny about what is happening in DC is the lack of accountability and responsibility that the Einsteins who ran these companies into the ground.

Personal responsibility is the bedrock of the Reagan Republican platform. Remember how Reagan demonized the welfare queen?

Pull yourself up by your bootstraps. You spend beyond your means, its your problem. If you fail to keep a job, its your problem.

Now we have a bunch of greedy bastards on Wall Street who gambled with big dollars and lost. The fired or still employed executives are pulling down multi-million salaries and bonuses. How come they are not forgoing at least a portion of their salaries to save their companies?

The Bush-McCain team has brought us to this point in history. Deregulation means no one is watching the store. The end result is has brought us the biggest economic collapse in our history. 

Have we forgotten the two wars we a waging that are costing we the taxpayer billions of dollars while Bush and Cheney's buddies are making money off of no-bid contracts?

McCain, who has not voted on a bill since April, as the economic implosion was occurring a week ago, said our economy was fundamentally sound, flew to DC to do what? A White House photo op? This is straight out of the Karl Rove playbook.

Eight years ago, the fine citizens of our nation, used "somebody I could have a beer with" as a criteria to chose a President. Four years later, Kerry was Swiftboated. 

McCain's first decision as a candidate chose Sarah Palin as his running mate. My fellow citizens have been smitten Governor Palin.  The polls are a dead heat. My God.

The FBI is conducting an investigation. You and I know someone was screwing around with the books at a level worse than Enron and Worldcom to get their bonuses.

As for Paulson, he and his posse created this mess and we are to give him a blank check and say "that's fine Big Daddy we trust you, again."  His solution was a 2.5 page document. My annual business plan and accompanying budget is longer. Trust me my budget does not include that many zeroes.

Are you kidding me?

Is personal responsibility only for the working poor and middle class?

We don't need a Maverick who didn't bother to read Paulson's extensive bailout plan to run our country. He actually appears to be less inquisitive than Bush.  What are McCain's solution to this economic crisis.

As for Palin, sigh. Putin flying over the no fly zone of Alaska equates to to foreign experience?

My head hurts.

McCain Team Tries to Shutdown Troopergate

If the Lady was properly vetted, the McCain team would have shut this down before or simply took a pass.

Following his gut, McCain just had to have her........

Lewinsky was an intern in charge of ordering Pizza. Our nation security was not in jeopardy. 

Gloria Steinam: Palin, wrong, wrong, wrong

I've never been a single issue voter, unless the issue is HUGE. McCain & Palin are wrong on everything.

Its great to see Steinam supporting Obama.

Palin to appear voluntarily: Yeah, Right

The Alaskan legislature will be issuing subpoenas. Palin is not on the list. Why? There is the expectation she will keep her word and voluntarily cooperate.

What's that sound? Not the sound of melting glaciers, but hell freezing over.

Stormy Weather

The plan for today was for me and my daughter to register voters. Due to the horrendous weather, performing our civic duty will happen on another day.

With Sports Radio in the background, it is a welcome present to find a couple of open hours in my schedule.

Who are you Sarah Palin?

Too funny not to share....

Sarah Palin & Rick Warren Read the Constitution

"Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone. Its evidence before the world is to be sought in my life; if it has been honest and dutiful to society the religion which has been regulated it cannot be a bad one."

-Thomas Jefferson

Right Wing Christian Zealots

"The only time anyone's admitted they were a Christian before was when they were busy telling me why they're better than me."

                 -Randy K. Milholland

Too often, we forget why people fled England. Religious freedom was there priority. All long as you don't mess with kids and leave me be, I will defend you right to celebrate how you choose.

All I want is to be afforded the same courtesy. Palin even being near the White House makes me nervous.

Rescue Me: Paulson to bail out Fannie, Freddie

Homeowners who make uninformed decisions are told "oh well". Once again corporate entities who engage in uninformed decisions are bailed out by us the taxpayers.

It sort of takes you back to the Savings & Loan debacle.

Whom was involved in that mess?

Walter Reed Hospital, Walter Reed Middle School

Just like the economy, McCain has admitted to not knowing much about the Internet. However,

one would think somebody on the McCain staff would know how to use Google Maps.

On the other hand, this is a guy who doesn't know the Pakistani borders. Yeah, I want him running my country. 

How can you support the troops if you have clue where they are?

The McCain camp, the gift that keeps giving.

Letter from Alaskan Resident

Read the whole letter

A resident of Wasilla

McCain should hire a food tester.....

Ray Didinger: Da Best Sportswriter on the Planet

A friend of mine knows that I am a huge sports fan. The sports and entertainment practice of her law firm sponsored a NFL kick-off event at her firm Thursday. The featured speakers were Glen Macnow and Ray Didinger.  She had no earthly idea who they were but knew I would love it.

Not surprising, the event was packed with testosterone. Out of about 200 attendees, I could count the ladies on one hand.  Pat Cirroccihi, a local newscaster, my friend, the rest, associates who had to be there.

There was a buffet of local football fare: hoagies, cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, hot dogs, and beer. 

I have been a huge fan of Didinger forever. He is by far the best sportswriter on the planet. When he appears on the local radio and TV shows he serves as insightful sane one with a wicked sense of humor.

My mission was to show my appreciation for his work without having him call security. One of the attendees that I was chatting with introduced me to Glen MacNow.  How he is on the radio is how he is in person. Funny, warm and engaging.  Being a radio personality, I had no clue what to expect looks wise. Attractive, average height, balding, with deep dimples.

I told him I was a fan of his but a bigger fan of Didinger. He roared with laughter. He thought it was cool, that I was a fan of sports writers.  "How would you like to meet 'the man'?" he offered. Like a dork, I just flashed a big old smile. Again, he laughed and said "I'll take that as a yes."

Didinger was surrounded by attorneys holding court. Macnow interrupted the gathering. "Excuse gentlemen, but lady is a fan of Ray's and wants to meet him." 

As Didinger emerged, with a cross expression of surprise and amusement, Didinger extended his hand and said "Really?"

Trying to maintain some level of cool, I told him my mission tonight was to fawn over him shamelessly. With a hearty laugh, he said," by all means fawn away. It's rare for a lady to enjoy my work." The three us of talked Philly sports until they " did their thing." The two of them have a show on Saturdays where they shoot the shit about sports, which was how they conducted their talk.

It was awesome. My friend was thrilled I was thrilled. "It's funny, I just assumed they were football players", she said. I sighed and shook by head. We both laughed. "

My kid brother is fan of Macnow and Didinger. Because I couldn't help myself, I had to tell him of my encounter. He was appropriately happy for me and jealous.

The Wilson Sisters: Cease and Desist

I guess asking permission from the artists BEFORE using a song is simply too much trouble...

I'm glad the Wilson sisters spoke out.

More details on the investigation

The aid involved in this mess, has been suspended with pay. How convenient?

I got your Community Organizers Right Here

h/t Brendan calling

Tom Raum: AP Writer

Mr. Raum has stars or something in his eyes or he was not one of the millions who ACTUALLY watched the Obama speech.

His audition to work for the McCain White House is painfully obvious.

If he was employed by Fox news, I would give him a free pass. But he is getting a check from the Associated Press which is supposed to be objective.

Unacceptable.

Community Organizer Job Description

Obama like most community organizers seized actual responsibilities that were ignored by business and government. I wonder if the people he helped thought that he didn't have any responsibility.

Newsflash: The Republicans still hate people who do not look like them. How freakin' patriotic.

Fired Trooper speaks out

Why do I think there will be a quiet wrongful termination payout?

"Political Bullshit about Narratives"; Peggy Noonan

Memo to Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy

You just never know when a mic is on

Love and Kisses Rev. Jesse Jackson

Troopergate continues

h/t tpmuchraker

The trooper union has sued!

More to come...

RIP Russ challenges the MSM to do their jobs

h/t Rip Russ

The MSM carried water for the Bush administration during the lead up to this fiasco in Iraq. If they had did their jobs maybe my grandbaby and his children would not be stuck paying the bills for this mess.

The McCain team is coming out of the shoots pushing back the media. A strategy clearly taken from the Rove playbook.

My only hope is there are enough citizens who will not buy this nonsense again and vote with their pocketbooks.

I have and will continue to register new voters in SE Pennsylvania. More often than not, I am registering Democrats. There is a need to open a Democratic office in the Oxford, West Grove area. I grew up in that area and you had to register Republican but quietly vote Democrat.

The change is here and maybe the MSM will catch up to it.

Lady Palin, Self-Made Woman, please

McCain offends Angry Mouse

Biden Sighting

My guess is the Beauty Queen won't be caught dead on a commercial flight..........

h/t mithras

Palin proclaims "Take your husband to work day"

Ok, I just made up the proclamation. The more I read about McCain's pick the more alarmed I am becoming.

First of all, what executive of any sex has their spouse sitting in on work-related meetings? 

Is that really appropriate? Worse, I would think, it would undermine the executive's credibility, particularly a woman.

So what on earth was Governor Palin thinking? What expertise does he bring to the table?

When the citizens of Alaska wanted to see e-mails surrounding Troopergate, Palin claimed "executive privilege." Even though her husband was copied on the e-mails.

Boy doesn't this smack of Dick Cheney?

Yesterday it was funny. Today, not so much.

h/t Andrew Halcro

40 million

With the summer coming to a close,  40 million people chose to watch Obama's historic speech.

Wow. 40 million.

His message of hope supported with a solid business plan on how to fix the mess created by Bush and Congress even had the Republicans cheering.

Judgement was the cornerstone of Obama's speech. Obama's first major decision was Joe Biden

McCain's was Sarah Palin.

Judgement......

Well, there you have it.

Gross Political Misconduct

Only in America

I've  never heard of this song or Brooks & Dunn. But I bet there are folks who have and appreciate the ten gallon hat-tip.

People continue to underestimate the strategic brilliance of Team Obama.

Palin throws Bailey under the bus

I'm sure there is a wrongful termination case looming on the horizon.

Michael Jackson, Sad tragic figure

I grew up watching the Jackson 5, in particular Michael. Any TV appearance generated buzz with my friends. We did not have the luxury of You Tube, so you had to park yourself in front of the one color TV to see them.

I'm not sure at what point the wheels came off. His childhood was snatched from him by his father's thirst for success. We enjoyed and celebrated the family from the steel town of Gary, Indiana. But hanging out with small boys when you are not longer a small boy is simply socially unacceptable. Where were they parents?  I digress.

My two classes of psychology do not make me an expert but there is something mentally wrong with MJ.

We should be saluting his musical contribution to the world. My grandson wiggles his backside to MJ's music.

But I'm sure, instead of wishing him a happy 50th, I'm am not alone, wondering if his kids are safe.

Sad.

McCain's VP captures what's wrong with Affirmative Action

Booman points out eight Republican women who are more qualified to be VP. These ladies probably have a clue what is happening in Iraq and an general idea of the VP job duties.

The challenge of affirmative action has been the old white guys who oversee the implementation of the concept. Instead of actually looking for a candidate who is qualified, they pick the first candidate they stumble across.

You see, looking for a qualified candidate would require effort on their part. Furthermore, the qualified candidate may actually succeed.

Picking someone who is just fits part of the profile, sets the candidate up for failure. Thereby giving the old coots ammunition to say " See, she couldn't handle it and it the concept doesn't work."

My head hurts.

The Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones

The Honorable Tubbs Jones was a huge HRC supporter. I didn't always agree with her but I respected her joyous spirit.  If she fought for her constituents like she did for HRC, there will be a huge set of heels to fill.

Her death has been overshadowed by the weeks historic events. Cleveland and America has lost a warrior.

Rest in peace, my sister.

Gillick is not worried about Phillies Bullpen

The Phillies offense has finally heated up and the bullpen can't seem to seal the deal.

Gillick may not be concerned about the bullpen but the rest of PHILADELPHIA is.....

GRRRRR

"Moose Mama" Palin laughs at Senator Green being called bitch

It's bad enough the radio host cals Senator Lyda Green a Bitch with zero push back from VP candidate Palin, she welcomes him with open arms.

Media driven misogyny and Moose Mama thinks its funny. She could be the first woman President.

The hits keep coming and it's only Saturday.

Ok Pumas, how does McCain look now?

HR, Please send Palin a job description

h/t yourguide

Cafferty at his best: The Palin Chronicles

I suppose the Eskimos will be storming the CNN headquarters after this one.

"I didn't want to interrupt your moment"

At the announcement of the McCain pick, my cell phone lit up like a Christmas tree. One friend, an former Republican and early Obama supporter could not contain himself. Being a former Republican there have been and continue to find ourselves on opposite sides of many issues.

We both embrace our heritage, he is Jewish, but do not use it as a weapon, kindred spirits.

It is not unusual for him to call after a political "moment." I told him, I was surprised not hear from him after the Obama acceptance speech. 

"I just knew this would be tearful important experience for you, and I wanted to give you your time." 

Both of us got choked up and weirded out, so we just laughed at ourselves and talked about lighter stuff.

We are living in historic times and I am blessed to have friends and family to share it with.

Gail Collins: Palin, McCain's Baked Alaska

As suspected, Collins has a wonder analysis of how the Republicans simply offend the average voters sensibilities.

Anything is possible in American politics. If the planets line up and this dynamic duo gets elected. If McCain has an unplanned demise. Just because Mama McCain is still kicking doesn't mean her son will be blessed with longevity. Palin becomes the first female POTUS would be sadly amusing.

Adding to the theater, if this woman is running a household of five kids and a baby, she in no shrinking violet. How unfortunate for women's rights to be turned back at the hands of a woman.

HRC' s hair must be on fire. 

Hillary stop your whining: Sarah Palin

OMG the gift that keeps giving. Yep, that should attract the angry first wives club....

What David Brooks is really saying

h/t brendan calling

Too funny..................

Troopergate: Palin

Isn't there a vetting process for VPs?

I would think being the subject of an investigation for a wrongful termination involving a family meeting would be a problem.

God he is stupid.

Somebody take McCain's car keys he is a danger to himself.

Sarah Smile: McCain's Hail Mary

55% of the married women voted for Bush the Failure. I will hazard to guess, he gave them a sense of security.

I would further venture, they are part of the 82% of the population that has opined Bush the Failure's administration was a disaster, worst in history, I really could go one.

Here is a woman who would when McCain implodes or dies with select a very conservative Supreme Court. I could be wrong, but I doubt.

I would no more vote for her than I would vote for a Clarence Thomas type....

If they think women will fall in line because she is a woman, once again the old white guys have insulted the intelligence of voting public.

More evidence of McCain's lack of judgement.

Game on.

Pat Buchanan: Obama's New Man Crush

Wow, even Buchanan gushed....

"I didn't want to witness history alone"

Last night I joined my fellow citizens in the ballroom of a local caterer to watch history unfold. The event was being shown on a movie screen streaming live from the laptop.

Like most communities, there were two entrenched camps. The usual activitists, early Obama and HRC supporters were present. There was at least 100 people in attendance on a cool summer night. I was pleasantly surprised.

One older white lady with tears in her eyes utttered to no one in particular, "I didn't want to witness history alone."

I stood along the wall and just absorbed the crowd and waited patiently for the main event to begin. The excitement and the moment were pallitable.

I am not one for public tears unless there is a dead body involved. Being raised in a male dominated culture it was simply not cool. However, as the light dimmed and they panned the volume of people in Mile High Stadium I was generally moved to tears. I was surprised at my reaction.

I was raised to believe that with hard work anything was possible. BUT, being the President of the United States of America was not in the relm of possibilities. He is one election victory away from being the leader of the free world. My daughter, nieces or nephews can aspire to be President.

Barak Obama ran an successful primary and he won the most votes. Iowa shocked the world, shocked me and probably shocked Obama by handing him a victory. I really did not think white America would vote for a black man. How glad I am to have been so wrong. The Founding Fathers wrote an awesome business plan on how to govern a country but a few valuable resources were left behind.

My generation has stood on the shoulders of our predecessors who bled for our rights that we take for granted. Their sacrifices made this moment in history possible.

On numerous occasions my neighbors were on their feet cheering throughout the speech. I suppose none of us wanted to witness history alone.

What a country!

Welcome Home Surprise

When our schedules permit, a dear friend and I generally get together for food.

Being sympathetic to my hell week, he got my pulse for our evening plans. Our community is a ghost town in the summer, especially in August.

Getting a table at one of our favorite restaurants was a snap. 

Our city based in-line skater pals were willing to come ALL the way out to the suburbs to join us for dinner, was I up for it?

Getting a nap was critical to functioning.

I confess when we head into the city, I make him drive. Mileage wise it is only about 20 miles, but just a pain in the ass. You never know what you will encounter. Travel to the suburbs is on a summer Friday night is generally a little  more user-friendly.

The meal and the company was a wonderful welcome home.

Mark Bowden: Words Matter

To be dismissive of a man or woman's ability to give a good speech is just silly. Many of Obama's greatest speeches, he composed. Like that other man from Illinois.

Bowden presents a good argument that Obama is more than an empty suit. He did graduate from Harvard which required him completing the course studies.

This seems to be forgotten. 

Those who say they don't know anything about Obama at this point in the process is not paying attention.

USA Men's Basketball, Golden Behavior

The last time my sleep was interrupted was during the primaries.  The Olympics disrupted my sleep this summer.

Watching the basketball team fight for their Gold medal was worth it. The LeBron James led team was a welcome change from previous teams.

This team committed to the Olympics three years ago. They embraced the responsibility and honor associated with their selection.

They supported the other USA team members. They got it. Being on the Olympic team was privilege not a right or worse an inconvenience to their spoiled lifestyles.

To ignore China's government sponsored athletic mills which smacks of child abuse would be irresponsible. They are a political and economic powerhouse. 

I digress.

The Redeem team put their citizenship first. They played well without showing  up their opponents.

The payoff was a well-deserved Gold Medal.

Well Done Gentlemen.

Frank Rich: Obama Biden, Change we need

The choice of Joe Biden as VP will allay the fear of the Frank Rich types. Obama does not have the luxury of coming off as "angry black man." Sorry folks. Too many white folks get nervous around colored folks who have the audacity of anger.

The Obama camp has show the ability to dispatch surrogates to fight back. Biden is perfect for this role.

As the summer draws to a close,  the final leg of this forever Presidential campaign has begun. We need a leader who is curious enough to embrace technology.

Why do I think McCain has never even turned on a computer, let alone a blackberry?

Young people really need to turn out in record numbers. While you may love your Grandpa desperately, do you want him managing your life let alone the country.

Like no other time, the future of our democracy is at stake.

Dowd: A Noun, A Verb and Vietnam

What happened to McCain during his captivity was awful. No one will challenge that particular sacrifice. 

Dowd's essay accurately outlines how the McCain's camp may be over playing the POW card.

While it is generous that Dowd's Mom gives McCain a free pass for cheating on wife number one after his captivity. I wonder how McCain behaved before he was imprisoned.

By McCain's own admission, he did whatever he wanted to do.

The MSM media seems to forget how the Bush campaign inferred how this very captivity may have affected McCain's judgement.

Guiliani campaigned on the 9-11 tragedy and we know how well that worked.

Continuing to play the POW card may not serve the senior McCain well.

AP the New Faux News?

h/t MyDD

Contact Kathleen Carroll (Fournier's boss) @ kcarroll@ap.org or (212) 621-1500. We don't need another news source being a microphone for the McCain campaign.

Be polite.....

Rush Limbaugh modern day Benedict Arnold

My only issue with Trakker's essay is that he insulted Benedict Arnold......

The Heartache in the Heartland

With the growth of my employer, my duties have taken me to places in my country that I never expected to visit.

This week, I affectionately referred to as hell week. Six states in four days.

My second stop took me to St. Louis. The purpose was a site visit with one of my more challenging clients. 

Rather than fly, which was option available to her, she drove for four hours for our meeting. By her own admission, she has control issues. Being a recovering control freak, I am a little sympathetic to her plight. Believe me, life cures you of that crap.

After taking care of the core purpose of our visit we had dinner at a local Bar-B-Q joint. 

I'm not sure why, but she shared her story with me. She was born in a tiny City in Kansas which now has a population 0f 4690. I did not leave out any zeroes.

At age six she moved into a Children's Home in St. Louis. Why? Due to her father's alcohol driven abuse, her mother left her and her brother. Her father did unspeakable things to them. She spoke out and she was banished to the Children's Home and her family shunned her.

Sadly, this was and is typical behavior in the City that she grew up in. Her brother is in jail for the same reason. Failure to condemn this behavior, you are truly doomed to repeat it.

Another common practice is for men in their 50s to marry teenagers. Parents routinely, sign off and celebrate the nuptials. We are talking 14 and 15  year olds folks.

She was the first in her family to finish high school. Graduating with an Associates degree further separated her from her community. She did not encounter her first black person until she went to college. She assured me, the only black people these folks see are on TV. Voting for a woman was worse than voting for a black man.

There are no jobs, welfare and drug distribution are the norm. The goals of the menfolk are to obtain:

                                                                 * pickup truck

                                                                 * coon dog

                                                                 * rifle

                                                                 * woman

in that order.

She knows when it is payday. Why? The men pull up in their pickups and the women sign their checks over to them.  Her refusal to play by these rules have left her without a man.

Through her religion, she is not longer blaming herself for her parents behavior. She is working on the whole forgiveness thing. Ugh.

Self-esteem? Her therapist and music have helped her on her journey.

She currently works as a Risk Manager for an organization with 90 sites. She lives in a home nestled on 18 acres filled with peaches, cherries and blackberries. When she retires, she plans on becoming a missionary. She wants to do good before she leaves this planet.

If her story is the norm, why doesn't the media cover these stories? Armed with no education or social skills, how the hell can these people compete in a global economy? How is this any different than the urban crisis? Drugs, alcohol, violence are all mental health issues.

This my Country for Heaven's sake. We need to invest in our citizens.

I am appalled and saddened.

At the risk of repeating myself, we are in the middle of a class war. Those being exploited are blinded by their prejudices to join forces with their urban citizens against the true culprits. Let's start with Shrub and finish with McCain.

My client's pain sits on the surface. I truly hope she finds peace.

   

Senator Joe Biden: The Smart Old White Guy

I fell asleep with my TV on last night. I wasn't sure whether I was dreaming or wishful thinking when I awoke to the news of Obama's VP choice.

I was thrilled.

Senator Joe Biden is truly one of the good guys who made it. At times, I have wanted to choke him. But his words are evidence of his generation.

Has he blundered? Ah who among us hasn't? 

Crickets......

Armed with new information concerning the lack of WMDs, he wisely acknowledged his mistake and came out against the war.  He has been offering sound resolution to end this fiasco for years. 

He is a working class Joe, who managed to raise his boys while performing his job. He doesn't have to throw back shots to celebrate to be one of the boys.

He can offer a difference of opinion without being acrimonious. Will he punch back? Absolutely. Will he reach out to across the aisle to get something done? You betcha.

Like or not, there is an element of our population, struggle with a black man in a position of authority. Adding a woman to the ticket would simply too much for these citizens.

Obama needed the smart old white guy. Biden is a wise strategic choice. Unlike, the criminals in currently, holding high office, Biden will not set up a separate branch of government. 

He was dead on in his speech today. We don't need a heroic soldier, we need a leader.

As for the angry first wives club in our country, who somehow refuse to acknowledge Hillary's poorly run campaign.They really need to get over themselves. Hillary blew it and her sex had NOTHING to do with it. 

I want the soul of my country back. The election of this team is a critical first step.

Mendt: is there a Jackass Penal Code

Larry Mendte shamed award winning local newsman plead guilty in federal court for hacking into his co worker's e-mail. This guilty plea was followed by a press conference. Being a public figure I suppose it was appropriate for the theater.

What wasn't appropriate was his need to essentially blame the victim. Late night dinners are inappropriate? It is a common practice for me to travel with my happily married male coworkers all over this country. Grabbing dinner after traveling to, preparing for and spending time with our clients is a common practice. (For the record ladies, their hot). However, to imply a sexual relationship would derail our successful working relationships. As the VP of my division, it would undermine my credibility.

Our relationships are more like siblings. Yours truly,  being the older sister.

Working with members of the opposite sex for our generation is so common it is not a big deal.

For Mendte to travel down the  "it fell apart after I dumped her" part negated his apologies to everyone, particularly Ms. Lane.

Didn't he notice that judge was a WOMAN? Or was she smitten by him too?

Her attorney's response was swift. The video tape of that performance will be used in the civil proceedings for the victim and the divorce from wife number two.

The counseling is not working, because the only place Mendte is going to work is in this city is the theater in a one-man Greek tragedy of his life.

This was a front page story but it should ran in the obituary section because his newscaster career  is dead.

Maybe he can be a news reader on Fox news................in Kansas.

Freud, Leiberman; Prick

No comment

Integrating Sports and Presidential Candidates

Sadly, those who are hurting the worst by the policies of the Bush administration and will suffer under the weight of the McCain's ever changing policies will either sit at home or cast a vote for McCain. Many live in regions where the economy is a disaster. So exactly what tax increases do they fear? Please.

Family values. Wife number two who doesn't even acknowledge her half-sister. Spare me.

Why? For the same reasons, minorities have been held down for years the color of their skin. 

At least in the Carolinas, central PA, the heartland of America do not couch it in nuances, their bigotry is heartfelt and sincere. For others it is no doubt deeper then they even know...Oh the Clintons come to mind.

I love my country but is far from perfect and our racist past, present and now is staring us in the face. Good. Acknowledging the issue is the first step of healing.

Our country is a mess. The world around us is very unsettled, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Georgia. The same old, same old is not good enough. 

David Baldwin's piece is wonderful as usual.....

BTW I love the sports analogy

Bush, DNA, loser

I wonder if there is a test for habitual losers.....

h/t:Trakker

Oh Holy Night: McCain's epiphany

h/t Andrew Sullivan

Woodward's new book

Does is really take 496 pages to spell out the failures of this administration?

On the other hand, it probably isn't enough....

Swan Day Spa Review

I guess "G" didn't pay extra......

Fighter Fighters let abandon homes burn

Maybe I've been in the insurance business too long, BUT!

The St.Louis Airport was supposed to tear down these abandon homes, by everyone's admission it has been a slow process. Now an arsonist burns down the remaining homes.

The fire chief against everything he is trained to do, orders his team to let them burn??????

Smells funny to me.....

Teens Steal Cattle: Only in Vienna

You will never see this headline in the Philly papers........

Elizabeth Edwards final indignity

John Edwards cheating on a terminally ill wife is just shitty. Period.

I was glad to see that she spared herself the traditional stand by my man walk of shame. 

Unfortunately, for her she is on the cover of People Magazine. Groan. Is this a display of compassion?

However, she has chosen to forgive her the man that she exchanged vows with twice. To that end, it's their marriage. Since she has opted to not only forgive him and remain in the marriage, that should be the end of it.

Because of the media firestorm, she has removed herself from the public eye. 

Mrs. Edwards has her own political voice which has been silenced by her husband and the media.

May you find peace Elizabeth........

Kids, Prisons, Bad for us

Kids do stupid stuff, loiter, cut school, get into fights in school. In most instances, a call to a parent, an in-school suspension, COUNSELING are usually workable solutions.

Too often in urban settings, kids are shuffled off to the criminal justice system FIRST. Worse, the schools they enter on a daily basis are filled with armed guards.

How about putting that money into cleaning up the schools, providing books and guidance counselors? These kids are conditioned to being in prison. Is this anyway to learn?

Most suburbanites take these things for granted, it is a luxury in urban and RURAL schools.

Where is the money flowing in these communities? The criminal justice system.

Mental illness has a terrible stigma attached to it. If someone  is depressed or has experience some type of abuse, they are told to get over it. The collateral damage is horrendous and it spills over to multiple generations...It surfaces in acting out. Where? School.

Are the parents covering up their pain with drugs, alcohol or sexual addictions?  The kids become codependent and deal with their pain through their own drama. A vicious cycle.

Who hasn't lost a friend to suicide? Or witness a friend or family member's inability to keep a job because of untreated ADHD? They can't get treatment because they have no access to care.

Let's start with accepting mental illness as a societal problem because it is....

Vacation from the crap

Since I was walking around with a constant fire in my belly, taking a break from politics was critical to my mental and physical well being.

The weather has been fabulous in the Philly metro region. This year I spent quite a bit of time at the pool. It is amazing how kids try to kill each other with their parents watching. The life guards are not paid enough.

I hung out with my nephews, Eagles training camp and the Philadelphia Art Museum. New friends by extension, a friend's posse of in-line skaters. Let's be clear, I meet them for food, two wheels is enough for me. 

When I am in town, I generally ride at least 15 miles per day before I venture into work.

Of course my baseball team, we were knocked out in the semi-finals in a rather ugly loss to our nemesis, groan. The tournament in Florida should serve as a forum for redemption.

Love the Olympics. Michael Phelps.....8 gold medals, hooray for him, hooray for us.

I really didn't mind Bush hanging out in China. When he was over there, he was leaving my country alone.

I am pecking away, in my tiny room in St. Louis waiting on a client, the official end my summer.

Drury Inns seem to be popular in this neck of the woods. It's clean, not good for the claustrophobic.