People Eating (alot of) TASTY Animals!

The SIX Pound Burger.

create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands

I have only been to 10 countries though and I am sure some of y’all are going to clean up with “Euro trips”.

Full disclosure: I am including Cambodia in this list even though I won’t be there until two weeks from now.

Final Analysis:

10 Countries
4% of the world’s nations visited

Expect Mark Harris’ ‘blog productivity to diminish steeply for about one half-hour a week.

Check it out here.

Swann has not officially annouinced but its pretty much assumed at this point by everyone that he is going to run against Ed Rendell for Governor of Pennsylvania in ‘06. He is running againse State Sen. Jeff Piccola (RINO) and former Lt. Governor Bill Scranton. Swann, in my oppinion, is the only once who has a shot of winning.

Luc Besson, possibly the best action director currently working, is making the official promotional vehicle for Paris’ Olympics bid. I’d say that seals the deal for them. After the attacks of 9/11, there was an incredible amount of sympathy for New York, and Rome’s mayor said other cities should bow out and give it to NYC. It’s been a short three years and now I wonder how much of a role anti-Americanism will play in the final selection.

In the comments section of the post on Dino Rossi’s apparent refusal to run for US Senate, Michael made a reference to a bill to split the state in two. It turns out that there is such a measure in the WA Senate. The “alternative” media in Seattle has come out in favor of the measure saying, literally, “cut the rubes loose”.

Here’s the thing: It ain’t gonna happen. And if it did, would it be a good thing? We might get two solid conservatives from Eastern Washington, but the conservatism of a population is not an absolute indicator of the philosophy of who they elect (Chuckles Hagel). As “The Stranger” gloats, the western part of the state would without a doubt produce two Barbara Boxers. No chance of a moderate Diane Feinstein from them. Do we really want Sen. Baghdad Jim?

In the final analysis, I would say we have a greater likelihood of Alberta, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC becoming states (in that order) than this state-splitting proposal going anywhere.

When I was in high school I knew a man who worked as an accountant for a company that had been shut down by the SEC because it was basically set up like a Ponzi scheme, something to do with office equipment leases sold multiple times over. All of the higher up accountants went to jail, so it was up to him and some other young guys to straighten things out. In their office, they kept a picture of Ida May Fuller, (pictured above) the biggest winner in the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.

Too much is made of the fact that Social Security doesn’t work, or is on the road to insolvency. That’s obvious. Not enought people are talking about the fact that it’s a total fraud placed as a yoke on the American people to keep statists in office. Fuller put $24.75 into the system and collected $22,888.92. Do you think she was pulling the lever for New Deal candidates? I assume she wasn’t dumb enough not to. The Democrat Party and liberal Republicans have used tax payer money to guarantee reelection year after year, and because it is done in the name of Helping Old People, it is totally sacrosanct and unreformable.

The Left is the new reactionary movement in America. Nothing can change, no matter what disaster lies around the bend. The Democrats have offered no alternative plan, they have instead indicated every willingness to mortgage America’s future in the interest of short-term stability.

There is a good reason Dick Morris is regarded as a political genius, because he is. He proves it in The Hill.

Teaser:

A filibuster would attract wide notice. Bring the cots into the Democratic and Republican antechambers and stage quorum calls throughout the night, as in the old days of civil-rights legislation, and the nation will notice. The Democrats will leave America to wonder why they are spending all of their time debating a judgeship in Mississippi when they are not addressing the problems of healthcare, energy, gas prices, the economy, Social Security reform and the preservation and expansion of Medicare. The endless debate over so minor an item will make the country disgusted and will expose all to the true perils of unbridled partisanship in Washington.

UPDATE:

Forgot to hat-tip my Dad who sent me this article.

I believe very strongly in miracles. Specifically, I believe in a 10-seat net loss bloodbath for the Republicans.

create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

So I’m a damn yankee. It’s not my fault for bein a po’ boy.

Anyway, after noticing that no one has been to Nevada, I think we need a Save The GOP conference in Vegas next year. Who’s with me?

New Club for Growth video with Pat Toomey takes the social security issue to the people.

If Patrick Henry were alive today, I think this is what he would have to say.

Are social security checks so valuable as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery and dependence on the government? Forbid it Almighty God. I know not what course others may choose, but as for me, give me choice and freedom over my money or give me death.

We may not have Patrick Henry anymore, but Pat Toomey is pretty darn close.

We’ve all heard it. If you oppose ILLEGAL immigration, then you are a racist. Well, it looks like no one is immune (reg. may be required) to that base canard.

Gov. SchwarzenRINO hits the most important point towards the beginning. The entire problem is that the federal guv’mint, run by hack bureaucrats and PC legislators, is unwilling to enforce its own laws.

It looks like the Republicans best hope to oust Maria Cant‘well maybe she can now’win, Dino Rossi, will not run according to the King County Journal. This is bad, bad news for the Republicans as Cantwin is vulnerable if we find a good candidate. I am trying to dig up the last polls I saw on her re-elect #’s but they were bad.
Rossi, however, seemed to slam the door on that possibility Wednesday.

“I have four small children and I’m not sure how I’d make it work with the family without upheaval and difficulty for the kids. So, that really is not my focus,” Rossi told the Journal during an interview at his campaign headquarters in downtown Bellevue.

“My focus is running for governor and being governor of the state of Washington and turning the state around. So I’m not running for the U.S. Senate. I’m running for governor.”

Not everyone thinks that Rossi is immune to persuasion, however.

Chris Vance, chairman of the state Republican Party, said Wednesday that while he doesn’t think Rossi will run, others may not take his “no” at face value.

“There are people and organizations who will want to change his mind,” Vance said. “The senate campaign committee will try to persuade him otherwise.

“I don’t think this will be the start of serious campaigning for the U.S. Senate until the court situation in Wenatchee becomes clear.”

In addition to his role as state party chairman, Vance has been mentioned as a possible candidate for U.S. Senate. Other possible candidates include former U.S. Rep. Rick White and insurance company executive Mike McGavick, chairman and CEO of Safeco.

Again this goes back to an earlier post I made that I bet many Republican Senators are regretting electing Liddy Dole as the Chairwoman of the NRSC, as they have had a series of recruiting screw ups.

H/T: Red State

Michael Davidson on Mike Reagan’s show… must listen.

Looks like the spin cycle will intensify check out the new blog on the block.

N. Korea can hit US with nuke

Luke: Let’s head towards that short crazy man
Obi-Wan: That’s no short crazy man, that’s a short crazy man with nuclear weapons
Kim Jung Il: I’m so ronry!

Ok everyone ready for part two… This time I feel the need to correct some mis-statements by Mr. Mazanec, who I know and generally like but totally disagree with on this race.

Mark,

I understand your Anti-Gourley spin on the Krueger letter, after all this is politics. However if, as you admit, RDI and financial ethics is the central issue in this campaign, then how can you ignore the fact the Davidson campaign is actively and aggressively misleading CRs on the financial picture of the CRNC (and arguably California as well).

Even IF Davidson was spinning the CRNCs financial picture, which I do not concede, but for the sake of debate, you like every other Gourley supporter CAN NOT justify Gourley’s defrauding of the senior citizens. I challenged you guys to several weeks ago and you never did. So before you attack Davidson atleast TRY to defend Gourley, because if you are willing to concede the reality of RDI then one can not logically support Gourley. I look forward to your prompt response.

Davidson used bloated non IRS numbers that included millions in fake RDI debt (the CRNC is not 4-5 MILLION dollars in debt, in fact they are not in debt at all) to create the dishonest impression that the CRNC only gave 0.28% of its expenditures to states in 2004. In fact the actual number was roughly 50% and none of the money went to Minnesota as Davidson would have us believe. He knew all this and still choose to distort the truth for his own personal advantage- is that the fiscal transparency you want?

Ok I will concede the fake RDI debt thing as I have not looked into how the Davidson people calculated the debt, I hope they didn’t include those but if they did that’s poor politics on their fault but well not stealing from old folks. BUT this Minnesota nonsense is just that nonsense. I have contacted Krueger hoping he will provide to me a list of what of the CRNC disbursements was block grants and what was “funneling of money.” I mean it is clearly listed on the CRNC’s IRS reports, so I don’t think it was too much of a leap of faith that if a disbursement from the CRNC to the MN CRs or others was reported to the IRS that it was in fact the case. Mazanec, this is something where we can find common ground, let’s get a full account of the CRNC finances so we can see that Davidson is lying. In fact, I think you should call on the CRNC to release all their books so we can see how badly Davidson is lying. But you and I both know they won’t do that and let’s not kid ourselves about why. Its time to end the Don Hoplin silence is golden routine and spread some light on this business so we ALL can know the truth. Join me in calling for it Brian.

Davison has willfully distorted his own record in California as well by using an undocumented $150,000 figure that includes in-kind contributions (his own website says so). This means that if there was a nice $1,000/table dinner in Sacramento and the CCRs got free tickets he could add that to his deceitful fundraising figure. I know if we used this kind of accounting when I was Virginia’s State Chairman I could have claimed to have raised 300 times what I actually did. This is just patently dishonest.

Well if this is true yeah it proves they fudged their numbers which is highly disappointing and condemnable, but one question. Where’s the beef? If you think Davidson is lying do you have proof? Proof…! And a second question: Did the Davidson folks willingly defraud people? Show me one instance where they willingly defrauded people, ONE TIME and I will call on both candidates to drop out as neither is suited for office. Davidson ain’t perfect, but at the same time he’s done a good job in CA even it was only $100k instead of $150k.

Thus, if unethical finances grounded in RDI are the driving issue in this campaign, Davidson certainly shouldn’t be your knight in shining armor.
Respectfully,
~Brian Mazanec
PS: I humbly suggest your blog posts the Krueger letter so CRs can decide for themselves. Commentary is good but the primary document should be there as well.

Look this is really easy ethical calculus:
1. Davidson isn’t perfect but by ALL accounts he raised atleast what $50k for the CRs, has the best website in the country, ran a fantastic ground program, and has an A grade publication.
2. Gourley ADMITTED to defrauding seniors, for which he was congratulated as courageous. You have never been able to respond to this.
3. Therefore, we can logically deduce Davidson is the only capable not so tainted by ethical problems to be our CRNC chairman.

Come on everyone let’s say it again b/c clearly the Gourley campaign and the spinmeisters don’t get it…
R-D-I… L-a-p-e-l-p-i-n-s… nothing more need be said.

Krueger Letter Full Text as requested by CRVets

Wow… today I’ve been bombarded with emails so I wanted to take some time for those of you who don’t want to wade through miles of campaign spin on both sides to hammer things out (though as always I think the case speaks decidedly for Davidson or atleast against Gourley, just to put that up front for those who want to get on their high and mighty horses and slash and burn my rep.)

I have obtained a leader from Michael Krueger, former ED of the CRNC, which attempts to rebut some of Michaels claims and I would like to briefly unspin some things.

Kreuger Claim 1: Davidson put up his new site on October 6, 2004, diverting money and resources from people on the ground fighting for the President.

Analysis: Well Kreuger is right, the timing is a bit to be desired in that we wish it was up EARLIER. But his absolutely nonsensical claim that “Not can we afford to have a chairman who diverts critical funds to projects that cannot be utilized when they are most needed” is such blatant spin work that I am dizzy. The fact is that the website as a tool to centralize message and coordinate CRs is invaluable and that surely for the 30-odd days it was up before the election proved probably very helpful. I really am disappointed in Kreuger for this unneeded and down right ignorant attack, which anyone with internet expierence knows is spurious nonsense. STRIKE ONE

Krueger Claim 2: We don’t know that Davidson really raised $150,000 and how much went to Moxie instead of solid grassroots.

Analysis: Come on Michael! This just gets worse, if the people running the CRNC have such a one dimensional view of what “grassroots” is then they all should be fired. I know Mr. Krueger knows better than this, Moxie has won critical acclaim and serves as a great messaging device for the CRs. He’s right in that documentation of the $150k raised would be nice from the Davidson campaign (hint, hint, to the Davidson folks publish what you have). But even so this is a total “attacking a straw man” propaganda point. STRIKE TWO

Krueger Claim 3: Davidson claims he wants to change things, but according to Krueger things couldn’t get any better, blah, blah, blah.

Analysis: Ok who was the Gourley speech writer who wrote this crap, I mean I don’t even support the man but could write a better argument than this. Their major point is that they finally ended RDI. Yet, Krueger fails to mention that it was ended after it hit the press. They didn’t end it cause they had any moral problem with it, they ended it because they got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Come on! I will admit that the CRNC did some good things this fall, but clearly it is desperately in need of new leadership when all it can do is speak in platitudes and pat itself on the back. Krueger, you’re a smart guy, why are you writing such pointless jibberish. I mean logically just cause you did some things right doesn’t mean there isn’t a need for fresh blood in the CRNC.

FOUL BALL, He pulls out the RDI crap but still has some point with their field rep program.

Krueger Claim 4: The 50-50 split of fundraising will hurt small state Federations while benefiting big ones like California, Pennsylvania, and others.

Analysis: Ok now maybe Krueger is on to something. I think clearly Davidson will need to flesh out how to make sure that small Feds are not disadvantaged and that money is appropriated wisely. But then Krueger brings up some stuff about chapter materials (ok, those boxes in the begining of the year full of pointless DONATED crap do not count), staffing, etc, is not entirely true. Any decent fundraising program that doesn’t take a 80%+ cut (cough… cough… RDI) will be able to hire some staffers and with the permanent regional reps they could and should develop long term development support networks that will fund their positions. This will help to alleviate alot of these problems. Davidson’s plan does need some hashing out but, I think if one looks at the Gourley plan.

[Brian the talking dog from Family guy interrupts]
Brian: Mark, are you sure it’s a plan, are you sure it isn’t…. NOTHING!

Oh yeah that’s right there is no Gourley plan for fundraising other than “uhh… we’ll send out more letters.”
FOUL BALL DOWN THE LINE, COUNT IS STILL 0-2.

Krueger Claim 5: Ann Coulter never endorsed

Analysis: STRIKE THREE, YOU’RE OUT. Don’t pass go, don’t collect $200. This has been rehashed a million times and in the words of the guy from Billy Madison we’re all dumber from having heard it, may God have mercy on his soul. It was a clear mixup, but no wrong doing. This is just sheer desperation

Krueger Claim 6: Minnesota recieved 64.7% of the total funding going to states is a bald-face lie by the Davidson campaign

Analysis: Well Mr. Krueger, what you say may be true but no effort has been made to explain any of this until it was actually dug up. These arrangements that you are talking about just needed to be explained, but I would like a break down of what was “funneling of funds” and what the actual block grants were. Will that be too much of a problem or does the CRNC mafia-esqe silencing policy prevent this from happening? I mean come on, the threatening that goes down in this race is absolutely hysterical. Its like we got Don Hoplin ready to “make some offers people can’t refuse.” I’ve been even told by folks “its a shame I am throwing away my political career for something like this.” People, including Plecknik’s idiotic statements against CRVets for truth, who make such ignorant and stupid comments don’t deserve a place at the adult table with us.

So we now have an old ED of the CRNC whose letter was obviously written by some very clueless people over at Gourley HQ. I think Krueger is a good guy, but I mean come on surely he can write something better than this piece.

Let me remind folks of the facts of this election: RDI, RDI, RDI, RDI, RDI, oh and… RDI. Yes Davidson has some good plans for the future of the CRNC but the only issue that really matters to me is that Gourley has admitted to willingly signing letters to defraud old folks of their money. ADMITTED!!! Hoplin said it was courageous (translation: Hoplin didn’t want to ruin his future political hopes by signing the letter so he got Gourley to do it for him). I call it disgusting.

This article by Robert Novak points out how the GOP leadership is gunning for the Freshman Senator from Oklahoma. They want to force him to sto delivering babies b/c it is an ethics violation. Let me get this straight, its an ethics violation to deliver babies but not to be taken out ot expensive dinners by people trying to court your vote on the Hill? The founding fathers are rolling in their graves. The real reason the GOP leadership is doing this though is because Coburn is doing exactly what he said he would do, fight for common sense. Novak’s article outlines how he’s refusing to abide by the freshman silence tradition and has already been fighting to cut insane pork.

If the GOP leadership ends up canning Coburn then they all deserve to be tossed, as they surely don’t represent our party.

I’m almost too ashamed to post this, and it condemns me to “Damn Yankee”-dom. Notice what a cross-country trip to Ellensburg, WA will do for you though.

Enjoy the warmth Mike. I’m sure the Loess Plateau will be kicking up a hell of sandstorm for you when you get back up north.