Tennesseefree.com

McCain, he’s too old to pull that weight.

Serr8,

Yes, I do photochop too….

Because teh Blowfish said I could…

(And it’s possible that Obama may well be the anti-)

Friday funnies….

New acronym:
Non-Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks

Check out the “uncyclopedia” page on NASCAR, it’s a hoot.

Southern Beale has tagged me in a meme.

Here are the rules.

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to take a passage from the last book I read “The Age of Turbulence” by Alan Greenspan.

Here are those “next three sentences”. Read more »

The Nigh Seen Creeder has news for you Democrats who are proposing price controls. He points to this Thomas Sowell article that references a lesson from Venezuela. But you don’t have to look at Venezuela to see that price controls are stupid, just rewind back to the presidency of Republican liberal Richard Nixon.

Over time I have come to understand the modern liberal mindset in regards to economics. Basically you just demagogue the classes, and propose populist ideas that have been proven to not work in the past. It kind of requires an indifference to history. For example, in spite of historical evidence from Kennedy to Reagan to Bush, liberals still say that tax cuts do not stimulate growth. They propose all types of government programs and tax hikes, in an effort to make us more like Western Europe, without any regard for how much of a failure those economies currently are. It is baffling, but it wins elections, which is all they really seem to care about.

UPDATE: Nathan McIntyre tells us about another Democrat proposal that requires one to totally disregard history.

This cartoon posted by Joe Powell is perfect. Does the media really have to divide everybody up by race and sex?

There is nothing I can’t stand more than a self-righteous piling on in the blogosphere. I have had it happen to myself and I have seen it happen to others. It really doesn’t take a lot of courage to engage in that type of thing. What takes courage is going against the conventional wisdom. Now, according to Braisted, Hobbs may be out of his position with the TNGOP. Aunt B says it is wrong for Hobbs to take the fall for this.

Now her post isn’t exactly supportive of Mr. Hobbs. In fact she reminds everybody of this little artwork that got Hobbs fired from Belmont. Yes I remember that, and I remember all of the self-righteous outrage that ensued. Of course you haven’t heard an ounce of outrage about this photoshop. Insulting the religion of Islam and Mohammad is unacceptable, but insulting the religion of Christianity and Jesus, well that’s okay, obviously.

I am not saying Hobbs hasn’t done some bad things. He has, but come on people. Do you really have the right to cast so many stones? Unless you are consistent in your outrage, and almost nobody is, then you need to just shut your damn mouth. The dude messed up, now let it go. Or better yet, take a look at yourself, you know the person those other fingers are pointing back at.

Christian is discussing this Daily Telegraph article that proclaims Matt Drudge to be the “world’s most powerful journalist”.

From Christian-

He doesn’t work at a newspaper, television station or in radio. He works from his home posting links to media reports, creating a distinct narrative on current events.

Is Matt Drudge really a journalist? I like the Drudge Report. I think it is a great website, but I have never considered Drudge to be a journalist. Sometimes he does get the early scoop on things, but all he really does is link to other news stories. No commentary really, just links.

What do you think? And do even try claiming that you never visit the Drudge Report. Anybody that does that is sure to have a copy of “Thriller” hidden up under their car seat.

The AP reports:

The state Senate has voted unanimously make it a crime for illegal immigrants to use falsified federal identification to gain employment.

Without debate, the Senate unanimously passed the bill and another that would make it a misdemeanor for anyone who manufactures the falsified documents.

Now I fully support this effort, but I do have one question… Is it not already a crime for illegals (or anyone else, for that matter) to use falsified federal identification to get a job?

Bill Hobbs is a quintessential wingnut. A denialist, slime shoveling COWARD who runs from the light like a cockroach. Nice spokesman you have there, TN GOP.

On this post - Barack Obama: Naive about al Qaeda in Iraq , Hobbs couldn’t handle the truth so he deleted my comment (the conservative post he linked to didn’t accept comments - of course):

1) The Bush Administration has vastly overstated the number of foreign fighters in Iraq according to a report from the Washington-based Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS).

2) The Conservative CATO Inst reports:
“foreign fighters make up a relatively small component of the Sunni insurgency against the U.S. and British occupation forces. It strains credulity to imagine 1,300 fighters (and foreigners at that) dominating a country of 26 million people.”

The article goes on to say how al Qaeda is nearly universally hated by Shiites, Kurds, and most Sunnis.

3) In speech after speech, Bush insists that “this is a war in which, if we were to leave before the job is done, the enemy would follow us here.”

But is it true?

Military and diplomatic analysts say it isn’t. They accuse Bush of exaggerating the threat that enemy forces in Iraq pose to the U.S. mainland.

“The president is using a primitive, inarticulate argument that leaves him open to criticism and caricature,” said James Jay Carafano, a homeland security and counterterrorism expert for the Heritage Foundation

This is one of the stupidist lines ever fed by an Administration with a big shovel trying to save face for what the vast majority of Americans see as a total incompetent screw-up. Spending $333 million a day supposedly fighting al Qaeda - a rag tag group of shadowy bomb builders that offer no threat to the US - although the GOP would like you to think so, fear is their controlling mechanism.

Obama has mentioned many time about going after the real stronghold of al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, now that it is reported today by the AP that the Afghan government has no control over 70% of the nation.

So, I gave Bill Hobbs a second chance. That didn’t work, he closed comments on that post after my submission. He complained that liberals were attacking him and using foul language. You see any foul language in my comment? None, no excuse Bill.

So, I gave Bill a third and final chance on a different post on the similar fear mongering topic: Hey Obama, al Qaeda is not just in Iraq, they’re in America too.

Nope, he deleted for a third time, although he did allow a “yes man” comment 12 hrs after I submitted mine. This is how conservatives operate. Authoritarians don’t know how to handle facts that refute their position of fear mongering and swiftboating. Amazing, this level of unprofessionalism since he represents the GOP in TN, you wingnuts sure have a problem. Let me add one more word to his description: hypocrite…. and after these deletions, Hobbs has the balls to say:

“The left always finds something to pick at other than to describe the issues; we’re not surprised at all.”

If you’ve ever visited my political blog - Loose TN Canon, you’ll know that I encourage debate, NEVER delete comments - which is one of the main tenets of my site. I deal with facts. Anyone who has debated with me knows my regard for citing facts and making fact based arguments. But facts don’t fit into the world of Bill Hobbs.

Speaking of Hobb’s unprofessionalism, he was reprimanded by national GOP party chairman Mike Duncan in a statement sent unsolicited to Politico: “The RNC rejects these kinds of campaign tactics. We believe this election needs to be about the critical issues confronting our nation.”

Yet Hobbs proves he doesn’t want debate about critical issues, he doesn’t want to talk about facts, just a soapbox from which to shovel his slime about Barack Hussein Obama - including this vile statement:

“Obama has pledged to hold a Muslim Summit to determine Middle East policy with the very leaders that have as their goal to remove Israel from the map, referenced Jews to be “dogs” and “pigs,” among other vile references.”

Hobbs has had his “reprimand story” on CNN, MSNBC, and some of the leading political blogs.  This is not about Barack’s middle name, this is about implying he is a Muslim who would make Israel unsafe, in league with anti-Semites.

Most all media observers agree that the press has chosen Obama over Clinton in the Democratic Primary. As a non-Democrat, it has been really fun to watch the media turn on the Clintons and embrace their rival. Sharon doesn’t necessarily disagree that Obama has received less media scrutiny than Mrs. Clinton.

But according to Sharon, a former big media person herself, how could they cover the primary any other way.

He hasn’t cheated on his wife or his taxes, and has literally been an open book. And in one of those open books, he talked about using drugs in high school. That’s it, folks.

Barack Obama doesn’t have the dirt some of you are hoping and praying for, so quit saying the media is giving him a pass.

He happens to be running against a woman and her husband,(the 2 for 1 special) who have been involved in scandals for decades.

It was Hillary who was involved in Travelgate and Whitewater and getting tips from friends on how to turn 1000 dollars into one hundred thousand dollars in futures.

It’s Hillary, who is the worst example for a feminist I’ve ever seen, who has put up with a philandering husband for decades, and one that didn’t just cheat, but by all standards committed sexual harassment by having sex with a 21 year old intern. I just love how the “feminists” gave him a pass on that. Also, ask Juanita Broderick how she feels not only about the Clintons, but the media.

And in this context, Hillary is right. Barack Obama does not have her experience.

She does have a point. It’s not like the media made up all of these events Sharon outlined, and it is hard to imagine them hiding any similar story about Obama if one existed. Poor Hillary, the victim.

Several days ago Glen wrote my exact feelings on Cullman, Alabama’s election of a black mayor. I thought a few more questions needed to be asked so here’s a little ditty I wrote this morning on my site.

Thanks Dean-O:

About an hour from my hometown of Florence, Alabama is the city of Cullman. Cullman is a typical sleepy deep South town, with barber shops, diners, and old men on Court House steps. As I’ve traveled the world a little bit, I have often been informed of the shame that I should carry about on my shoulders because I hail from the heart of Dixie. Apparently we all still hate black people, and just about any other non-white face. News to me.

It’s news to Cullman as well. The city, which is 96% white, just elected their first black mayor. Interestingly enough, it didn’t take an awareness campaign or a march. People simply listened to the issues and voted.

“Really, I never realized he’s black,” said a woman in a restaurant, smiling.

“He’s black?” asked Lou Bradford, a Cullman police officer, jokingly.

It didn’t make national headlines, but this moment of enlightenment came to the world not through legistlation, or agitation, but simply through good people paying attention.

Ooooh. Ahhhh.

Unfortunately, no one will be paying attention this fall when the State’s electoral votes go to John McCain. The facts will be spun to say that Southern States are still being run by white suit kingfish politicos who only live to sip mint julips and reminisce about the “good ole days.”

Not a bad thing to do by the way, minus the white suit.

I’ll admit I like Barak Obama. There’s no way in hell his policies would win my vote, but I’d have a beer with the guy. He’s charismatic, clueless about reality, but full of energy. He’s simply likeable. The driving force on the left however simply can’t look beyond his skin color. The superficiality of the Demoratic party now forces them to promote Obama. Not only is he a socialist, but by God, he’s black too!

Here’s to progress.

Sadly, Barak Obama, due to the racial sensitivies of our age is untouchable. Non-black people can not criticize a black public figure in America without being instantly labeled. Nevermind the fact that it was largely the Democrats in the ’60s who supported segregation to the end. Senator Obama has some huge questions to answer about where exactly he and his supporters are coming from on some issues. Many, he himself will never be asked to answer because it’s simply too politically incorrect.

It has been widely documented that his church is “black first.” Is that racist in and of itself?

The Pastor as well as the membership of Trinity United Church of Christ is committed to a 10-point Vision:

1. A congregation committed to ADORATION.
2. A congregation preaching SALVATION.
3. A congregation actively seeking RECONCILIATION.
4. A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA.
5. A congregation committed to BIBLICAL EDUCATION.
6. A congregation committed to CULTURAL EDUCATION.
7. A congregation committed to the HISTORICAL EDUCATION OF AFRICAN PEOPLE IN DIASPORA.
8. A congregation committed to LIBERATION.
9. A congregation committed to RESTORATION.
10. A congregation working towards ECONOMIC PARITY.

Or perhaps he might explain why supporters in Houston link his campaign with Che Guevara, the noted Cuban socialist murderer?

There was a time when the Civil Rights movement was needed (led largely in Washington by white people I might add). Affirmative action in the right context was appropriate. These movements were meant to level the playing field. They were never intended to flip the teeter-totter the other way. If any noteable black person is unquestionable simply because of the ramification of offending his skin color, then one must wonder if the Civil Rights movement did fail after all.

It remains the only question that can be asked.

This interview with Keith Richards is pretty funny.

What a great band. He is right about Mick though. What a dork. Enjoy this for a little morning wakeup.

Repeat after me, Mekka-lekka hi mekka hopey ho!
Mekka-lekka hi mekka changey ho!..
Mola-mekka chala mekka hola hayla hey!…
The wish is granted. Long live Bambi!

I think Dan has as much fun with this stuff as I do…

;D

 *

What Obama said in the debate last night is pretty amazing.

……suggesting during a Democratic debate that after withdrawing combat troops from Iraq, Obama, as commander in chief, would be willing to send U.S. troops back into Iraq “if al Qaeda is forming a base” there.

Hello Dumbass! McCain responded with this.

“The fact is, al Qaeda is in Iraq,” McCain said. “Al Qaeda is in Iraq today. If we left Iraq there’s no doubt that al Qaeda would then gain control in Iraq and pose a threat to the United States of America.

Obama’s comeback was to point out that Al Qaeda would not be in Iraq if we had not invaded. So freaking what! It isn’t about “what was”. This election is about dealing with “what is”.

That is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard a candidate say. Regardless of why the terrorists are in Iraq, the fact is that they are there, and if you are President, you are going to have to deal with this fact. And he says that he will go back in there, after pulling them out? What the …?

Barry, assuming it isn’t racist to call him that, seems like a really nice guy, but the man is just not ready for prime time. The presidency is a job that needs to be occupied by a grownup.

The most interesting posts about William F. Buckley today came from liberals. Of course, just like conservatives, liberals were not united in the way they felt about this very nice man.

Contrast John Hutchinson, a class act, with KTK of Lean Left who is, well something else.

From John-

despite the fact that I agree so little with what he has spawned, I can’t help but be saddened by this loss. Today’s GOP (especially the Tennessee popinjays) would do well to emulate his civility and rapier wit, but I’m thinking they won’t (and maybe that’s not so bad for my ’side’.

From KTK-

Allow me to take this opportunity to stand athwart history yelling “Go!”

Oh - sorry. Unsympathetic? Yeah, I give a shit.

I hope they tattoo a warning sign on his ass before they bury him in some place I can piss on without getting my feet wet.

Apparently the people that KTK disagrees with, deserve to die. Interesting. Not a whole lot to add to that.

I agree with Aunt B on this. Speaking of populism, one of the biggest lies told in this country is that illegal aliens are taking American jobs. We are currently at what is called full employment. If we didn’t have immigrants here, we would have a shortage of labor.

Now don’t take this to mean that I support illegal immigration. I don’t, but I do support a comprehensive plan to secure the border and liberalize our immigration laws. For a full explanation of how I feel about this issue, read this.

I also support the truth and can’t stand to see working people all riled up and resentful because they are being lied to.

One of Barack Obama’s top selling points is that he can unite Americans of all political stripes.

We now have evidence that this is true. It seems both Louis Farrakhan and David Duke are offering him their support (although, in fairness, these two already agreed on a lot to begin with).

Cross posted at Appalachian Scribe

Why in the hell is Congress asking the Justice Department to investigate Clemens? Why? Who in the hell do they think they are? They are not an investigative body? They are not a judicial body? They are legislators. Thats it. This is absurd folks.

A new LA Times/Bloomberg poll shows John McCain with a narrow lead over both Democratic candidates:

McCain is statistically tied with Sen. Barack Obama, 44 percent to 42 percent, and ahead of Sen. Hillary Clinton by 6 points, 46 percent to 40 percent. The poll’s margin of error was plus-or-minus 3 percentage points.

The poll also showed McCain with a 61 percent approval rating, a number higher than both Clinton’s and Obama’s in past polls. (A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll earlier this month measured Clinton’s approval rating at 52 percent and Obama’s at 58 percent.)

I’ll admit I was a little surprised by this. I expected McCain to be leading Clinton, but with all the positive press Obama has been getting I figured he would be on top of McCain.

I should not have been surprised, however. A Rasmussen poll from last week indicates Obama might not be quite as popular as conventional wisdom suggests:

Barack Obama has the same number who will definitely vote for him–34%. But, more people are committed to voting against him than McCain. Forty-three percent (43%) say they will definitely reject him at the ballot box. For 18%, their support depends on his opponent.

Given McCain’s independent streak, one would assume he could cut into that 18% as well. It’s also worth noting that much of Obama’s support comes from folks like myself–voters under 30 who are notorious for low turnout. Now perhaps Obama is the candidate who can get them to the polls, but he’d be crazy to count on it.

These polls are very early, but they do suggest that Saint Obama is not the unstoppable force many pundits seem to think. A quick look at the Electoral College map indicates we’re in for another tight election.

Cross posted at Appalachian Scribe