A little GOP/You Tube debate commentary

I tuned in a little late this evening, and still have a lot of research to do on each candidate...but thought I'd offer a lay-gal's perspective.

Most humorous response: "Jesus was smart enough never to run for public office." -Mike Huckabee. Haha.

Q; Bible- do you believe every word? I don't know if I can believe Giuliani when he says "I believe it's the greatest book ever written." Too quick, too cliche. Maybe he should have taken Huckabee up on his offer to help him out with the answer.

But I ate up the Minister's answer on this one. I wish his defense of his more liberal fiscal governing choices was as rhetorically beautiful as his answers to social conservative questions.


Giuliani's mouth bothers me -he twitches when he talks. I can already see the Mr. Ed-like political cartoons. (Oh I'm so mean, and shouldn't attack on physical appearance, I know. Start your own blog.)


Q:Repairing the image of America in the eyes of Muslims? Turn it back on the Dems...that's a fine strategy I suppose. McCain, Giuliani: fight the terrorists, offend the extremists, support the strategy to succeed. Why is Duncan Hunter speaking?

What I'd like to hear is "Muslims, it's your image that needs repairing in the eyes of Americans. Don't support the terrorists by acting so offended when we defend America." But obviously, more eloquently.

Q: Torture? McCain is so bad-ass. P.O.W. speaks, and we ALL listen. (Minus the Jack-Bauer 24 reference. Who doesn't want to see Jack Bauer torture the bad guys and come out on top?)

Q: Who'll commit to Iraq? Fred Thompson...he's really tall...zzzzzzzzzzzz.... oh sorry, I fell asleep. HEY! It's Ron Paul! He reminds me of Mr. Magoo....disses the surge-rambles-"The Shia, people in the north, uh, uh, give them their country back." Yikes, people of the Ron Paul revolution, please take off your bumper stickers before I take my ice scraper to them.

Q: Gays in the military? Just stop with this question people. Now, does Romney have an original thought? It seems he reminds us who he's advised by often, or where he'll get his consultation from. What do you really think, Mitt? REALLY, just STOP with this question. The fire of passion is in McCain's eyes. He really does respect all who serve. I'd like to see that in the empty responses of our other panelists.

Chuck Norris is there!! When Chuck Norris jumps in the water, he doesn't get wet. The water gets Chuck Norris. Oh, I'm listening, sorry.

Q: National Debt? Let's get Fred an eye lift, but then let's listen to his ideas. I think he's on to something.

Q: Mars? Huckabee on space was good. Not just the Hillary remark, but the reminder that we all benefit from space exploration with the technology we use every day. I never thought of it like that. Forget Mars, let's fix our home planet first. We have to draw the line of spending somewhere, and at this point in time I think any possible life on Mars can wait to meet us.

Q: Infrastructure? Anyone else see the Thompson-Giuliani side convo while Ron Paul was speaking?

Well, I'm glad that's over. I'm sure glad it was relevant to most Americans this evening.

You're thinking it's just a silly Charlie Brown cartoon

...and then Linus tells the Gospel on network TV... "For unto you is born this day...a savior, which is Christ the Lord.... That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

on ABC.

A 6th offense?

Now that Ricky Williams is out of the NFL for the season with a torn chest muscle, perhaps he can take up his old hobby.

Liberals doing us all a favor

There are women who think having children is anti-environment, or not "eco-friendly."

Had Toni Vernelli gone ahead with her pregnancy ten years ago, she would know at first hand what it is like to cradle her own baby, to have a pair of innocent eyes gazing up at her with unconditional love, to feel a little hand slipping into hers - and a voice calling her Mummy.

But the very thought makes her shudder with horror.

Because when Toni terminated her pregnancy, she did so in the firm belief she was helping to save the planet.

Incredibly, so determined was she that the terrible "mistake" of pregnancy should never happen again, that she begged the doctor who performed the abortion to sterilise her at the same time.

He refused, but Toni - who works for an environmental charity - "relentlessly hunted down a doctor who would perform the irreversible surgery.

Finally, eight years ago, Toni got her way.

At the age of 27 this young woman at the height of her reproductive years was sterilised to "protect the planet".

Oh dear God, a baby! Oh wait, as a liberal I probably don't want to admit I would complain or gasp-pray- to God, so take that back. But yikes, a baby, I shudder in horror!

Who is this woman? It's a relief she didn't procreate, to save us all from her bad-attitude offspring.

"Having children is selfish. It's all about maintaining your genetic line at the expense of the planet," says Toni, 35.

"Every person who is born uses more food, more water, more land, more fossil fuels, more trees and produces more rubbish, more pollution, more greenhouse gases, and adds to the problem of over-population."

You keep on recycling, using those low-energy light bulbs and eating only organic, locally produced food, while the rest of us raise smart, educated, wonderful loving children who will change the world in their own way.

I'm with the Jewish guy

It's a Christmas tree, people. Christmas. Tree.

"Schoenfield said that for some, the name holiday tree may also be offensive.

"As a Jew, I have a problem calling it a holiday tree," Schoenfield said. "It's not my holiday."

I think he goes a little too far with the offensive thing. It's more a statement of fact. As a Christian celebrating Christmas, I wouldn't want a menorah to be called a Holiday Menorah. Good point- It's not my Holiday.

But someone could shut up Ms. Gaylor.

"Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, said Schneider should withdraw the resolution and added that he needed a civics lesson.

"When you call it a Christmas tree, that's a celebration of Christmas, which is a Christian holiday," Gaylor said. "So what does the state of Wisconsin need with a Christmas tree?

"It is a proposal that shows ill will, and it isn't necessary," Gaylor said. "What does it say to the rest of us who aren't Christian if you call it a Christmas tree? Why is he forcing it to be a state-owned Christmas tree?

"It is just a tree, but when you put Christian in front of it, it becomes a symbol of the majority," Gaylor said."

Welcome to the Christian Majority.

The most shocking statment of all

"NBC News White House correspondent David Gregory, accused of being a partisan, made a false statement about the "Scooter" Libby case"

The actual story it came from doesn't even matter. Forget Scooter Libby - we've got a partisan news reporter out there!!

Non- target states

Nevada has seen no GOP candidate love.

And not much from the Democrats either. Oh boo hoo. Diner owner Tracy Oien, a Republican, is upset at

"the fact that no GOP presidential candidate has shown up to campaign in this conservative enclave an hour north of Las Vegas -- but three Democratic contenders have.

All of this has Oien concerned that the Jan. 19 caucuses could turn out to be a bust, and that the state could go to the Democrats in the 2008 general election.

"It's really galling me," Oien said during a lull between the breakfast and lunch crowds. "As angry as people are with the president, you'd think the Republicans would be pushing [their candidates]. But it seems like they're laying back in the weeds."

Sweetie, they're laying back in other states where they can build a lead, or think they can build a lead. It's all about resources and what states mean the most.

We here in Wisconsin haven't seen a lot of action either. Are they underestimating our importance? Maybe. It may be the same for Nevada. I however, don't want 'em. Our primary is at the end of February next year, and it's almost upon us. If there's no clear front-runner by that point, we may be surprised at how quick the tide changes and floods us with candidates gallore.

Careful what you wish for.

Movie Stars shy away from publicity....

(SAY WHAT?!) but only when donating to Republican candidates.

"Republican presidential candidates have been drawing support — and cash — from Hollywood celebrities, but few of the stars in super-liberal Tinseltown want to be publicly linked with the Grand Old Party."

At first I find it disheartening that these actors and actresses believe their reputation will suffer just because of a mere political donation. The left certainly is proud to dump millions into the Democrats' banks.

"They learn very quickly, if they know what's good for them, to donate to the Democratic Party," said Andrew Breitbart, co-author of "Hollywood, Interrupted." "If they were to donate to the Republican Party, they would be exposed to career-ending ridicule, period."

If they know what's good for them? Actually, sir, I believe if celebrities knew what was really "good for them" in something called REAL life and not Hollywood-coated life, they would donate to Republicans.

A laughable line: "Ms. Hatcher, who had lunch in February in Beverly Hills with former President George H.W. Bush, has repeatedly turned down invitations to be on HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher." MSNBC reported that "a source" said "she's not in-sync" with the aggressively liberal host, prompting some to wonder if she is secretly conservative." Oh dear God, what if she is secretly conservative?!

Upon second thought, I'd rather our "GOP" celebrity friends in Orange Valley, or wherever they roam in sunny LA, keep their mouths shut and their politics out of our way. I'd prefer a few hushed conservative donors to loud-mouth Sarandons, Redfords, Gores and Moores, wouldn't you?

Save the Tomb!

The Tomb of the Unknown may be entirely re-faced. Or it could just be repared.

The thought of any disruption of this Soldier known only to God disturbs me greatly.

I can only cringe at the liberal Congressional discussion that may ensue about new monument features. Another opportunity to strip the monuments of their acknowledgment of God, and the nation of it's historical attributes...

Gentle reminder

"I delegate to good people. I always tell Condi Rice, ‘I want to remind you, Madam Secretary, who has the Ph.D. and who was the C student. And I want to remind you who the adviser is and who the president is.’”

-President Bush

More like "Lose one for the Gipper"

How do you lose 80,000 artifacts?

Better yet, how do you lose 80,000 artifacts from a Presidential Library????

In the words of Ronald Reagan himself, "Trust, but verify."

What goes around...

I can't help but comment on the stupidity of OJ Simpson with a gun in a hotel room with stolen memorabilia.

In Simpson's mind, according to a close friend, the Las Vegas charges are rooted in the former football star being acquitted in the 1994 slayings of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

"He believes he's being tried for that now," said Tom Scotto, 45, a North Miami Beach, Fla., auto body shop owner.

"He's taking this serious. It is serious," said Scotto, who traveled from Florida with Simpson and sat in a courtroom gallery with about 50 spectators. Among them was Simpson's older sister, Mattie Shirley Simpson, Baker, 64, of Elk Grove, Calif.

Simpson has maintained that he wanted to retrieve items he knew had been stolen from him, including the suit he wore the day he was acquitted of murder in Los Angeles.

Simpson and co-defendants Clarence "C.J." Stewart and Charles Ehrlich face 12 charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy and coercion.

A kidnapping conviction could result in a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole. An armed robbery conviction could mean mandatory prison time.

Karma's a real bitch.

Mike who?

Rasmussen Reports:

In the race for the Republican Presidential Nomination, Rudy Giuliani remains on top. Among likely Republican Primary voters nationwide, Giuliani is preferred by 24% and has opened an eight point lead over a group of candidates virtually tied for second. Fred Thompson is the first choice for 16%, Mike Huckabee attracts 14%, John McCain is at 13% and Mitt Romney is the only other candidate in double digits at 11%.

At 14%, Huckabee is only 2% behind #2 candidate Thompson, and 10% behind Giuliani.

Analysis- which I have shamelessly stolen almost verbatim from a friend: "Considering he's accomplished this with no money and little organization, and that a solid 22% is still undecided, don't count him out yet! People think he came out of nowhere, which isn't entirely true.

Until a random "values voters" debate in Florida (which Giuliani, Thompson, McCain, and Romney didn't bother to show up for) Huckabee's now supporters were split between him, Tancredo, and Brownback. With the values voters now uniting behind him -which is an enormous bloc -and a little down the stretch name-rec (perhaps accompanied by a catchy "I Heart (or is it I "<3"?) Huckabee" slogan reminiscent of "I like Ike") this could turn out to be a decent race for the GOP nod.

Level-headed approach. Consistently conservative track record. Former Minister. Honest values. Here's hoping he's on the ticket.

This one's for you, Mike:

Belly (work)out- then belly up!

"Yesterday we were warned of the health dangers associated with alcohol - not to mention bacon, ham and sausages.

Today there is more cheering news from a different set of scientists.

They have come up with the perfect excuse for heading to the pub after a game of football or rugby.

Their research has shown that a glass of beer is far better at rehydrating the body after exercise than water."

Think this will help get my boyfriend to the gym with me?

Ah, the self-described liberal gets a wake-up call

My morning feel-good shot came during the Good Morning America show today, as the show explored various websites where one can find candidate viewpoint-explanations and even take quizes to see which candidate you are most like for the upcoming '08 Presidential race. (Click on the video "Political Identity Crisis")

Their own Match-O-Matic test runs on two self-described "liberal" young women matched them to all GOP candidates. HA!

Here's to being able to tell a liberal they're not as crazy as they thought!

Now, on second thought, do we give props to the ladies for answering those questions honestly, risking a non-match? Or do we question their intelligence and political awareness for not knowing what their own candidates ("Hillary supporter!") actually stand for?

I fear this only represents a larger public in a political identity crisis- perhaps not really sticking to their own beliefs, but swayed by today's media and a need to be politically correct in their voting habits. But then again you can take a test or answer a survey any way you want and then vote inside the private booth the complete opposite way- be it politically INcorrect, racist, sexist, you name it.

It's too much to digest, honestly. I'll just enjoy that two liberal voters got a wake up call today!

Screaming inside

Reading Time Magazine on the bicycle at the gym today, I saw a glimmer of hope in the article "The Lions Roar"- an interview with Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, and Robert Redford regarding their new movie, Lions for Lambs. Having boycot every Tom Cruise movie since the Hollywood-altering Nicole-Tom breakup, Tom surprised me with this:

"We tried to look at all these different views, from the left or right or in between, and see how they can be challenged, in every way."

After all, in the movie he does play a Republican Senator.

But it would soon go sour until I could all but throw the magazine across the room, which would disastrously call unwanted attention to myself on a Saturday morning at the Y. So I screamed inside.

STREEP Because we're afraid to speak. Even though we have the freest society, supposedly, I think many of us are afraid to speak up. And we vilify the people that do speak up. You're told you're not supporting the troops.

REDFORD If you're against us, you're not patriotic.

STREEP So to me this film is about the difficulty of standing up and saying what you think. Standing up is very, very difficult.

Why is it always the liberal side of the argument that gets the sympathy? When people say they are against the war, Conservatives accuse them of being against the troops and that makes them feel bad inside. Because they really do support the troops. Oh boo hoo!

That's not the argument the right is making. It's when as a society we forget the reason why we are at war- we forget about the pillars of freedom that have supported a democratic society and their rights to express varying opinions- when we turn the other cheek to the 9/11 bombings and the innocent lives that were taken because Islamist extremists want to murder us all - it is when a group of citizens decides that what we are fighting for isn't worth it- that's when the troops aren't supported, when you're not being patriotic.

Why don't we scream out from the right? We can't speak out either, because doing so means you're supporting an unpopular President, an unpopular war, you're against universal health care and therefore against helping people that can't help themselves, you want to take away programs that provide for the needy, and evidently support the takeover of the middle east, or any other nation that threatens the upset of peace. I am sick of the American media giving time to the "poor liberal who feels he can't speak out for fear of being called unpatriotic." All we have heard are challenges to patriotism- Barrack Obama without his hand on his heart, Harry Reid saying we've lost the war, Democrats calling Bush names I wish not to repeat, and all those from the left. What about the fear of being called a war monger, a nazi, a racist?

So pardon me, Meryl and Robert, if you feel you can't speak out. Perhaps those of you in the movie business should reassess what it is you wish to accomplish with your million dollar box-office hits that reach millions of viewers world-wide if you feel you can't speak out. Liberal hollywood has got your back if you want to be "unpatriotic."

I however, want to continue to support the troops, the war, and our freedom.

And one more thing before I go- We've got to pull these stars' heads out of their asses. I'm interested to see Ms. Streep's role in Lions as she did play a more conservative member of the CIA in Rendition, she has me interested...
But THIS kills me:

CRUISE Wars never solved anything--that's my personal belief--but I don't think that that's necessarily what the film is about. It does pose questions. It's not pointing the finger. Because so much was happening after 9/11, it was hard to get to the truth.

You know what was happening after 9/11 Tommy? We were hunting down the murderers, bringing them to justice.

STREEP But I think older people had this dull, thudding pressure. They were feeling, Hmm, maybe this is not what we think. And yet we went forward, in the face of all sorts of warnings that are now proven to be the truth. Americans have been anesthetized by good fortune. I recognize myself in every single one of the compromised people in this piece. This movie is saying, Here we all are.

I'm not sure I heard her right, "older people had this dull, thudding pressure...maybe this isn't what we think"???? If she's referring to the United States Congress that voted to go to war to find Osama bin Laden, or most importantly, track down So-Damn Insane, I will spare you the roll-call of Senators. However, I think we all know who voted for the war. Even if it was before they voted against it...

I know one thing, you won't catch me at the movies this time. Sorry Mom, I know you love Robert Redford, but you'll have to catch this one solo.

This man is no Patriot

And some want him to be President?

CHICAGO: If elected president, Senator Barack Obama would meet with Iran's leaders and offer economic inducements and a possible promise not to seek "regime change" if Iran stopped meddling in Iraq and cooperated on terrorism and nuclear issues.

In an hour-long interview on Wednesday, Obama made clear that forging a new relationship with Iran would be a major element of a broad effort to stabilize Iraq. And he vowed to engage in "aggressive personal diplomacy" with Iran and other regional powers as he withdrew American combat forces in Iraq...

But Obama said that "changes in behavior" by Iran should be met with gestures by the United States, beginning with possible membership in the World Trade Organization.

"We are willing to talk about certain assurances in the context of them showing some good faith," he said. "I think it is important for us to send a signal that we are not hell bent on regime change, just for the sake of regime change, but expect changes in behavior. And there are both carrots and there are sticks available to them for those changes in behavior."

Changes in behavior, eh? For example, not reciting your country's Pledge of Allegiance or showing respect to a nation which you'd like to lead?


Despicable.

How rude!

I find the editorial in today's Appleton Post Crescent rude and ungrateful.

Brett Favre deserves every bit of tribute. While I agree that perhaps Monday Night Football with Tony K's love fest was overkill for us Packer Fans/Wisconsinites who see it all the time- those Packer fans far away could only lap up the enthusiasm for our beloved Brett.

When he's gone, you'll be sorry.