Line of the Day July 27, 2008

Me: Say what you want, but did you see that crowd in Germany listening to Obama speak? I mean it was like 200,000 people.

Friend: Yeah, but that was all press.

Me: Brilliant.

My Neighbor Refuses To Admit Reality

Please bear with me as I recount a personal, non political story.

Recently I found myself in need of making some repairs on my kids’ swing set in our backyard. Some of the wood was rot, there were weak spots throughout and when the kids played, it bent and swayed. The previous owners did not take care of it and its mere existence was a threat to the safety of kids around the area.

I spoke to a lot of people and there were varying opinions as to how I should fix it. Some suggested that painting over the whole thing to make it look better. Others suggested I only address the few parts that were worn out while others argued I should pull the whole thing out of my yard and let my kids fend for themselves and hope for the best. The latter made me worry. Without a structured environment in my backyard I had concerns that some kids that I did not approve of in the neighborhood might come in and offer my kids entertainment that I did not approve of.

I decided to beef up the foundation and structure of the swing set. I though if I added some material in key places, it would provide enough structural support and time for me to continue on improving on other key parts. Some people did not like this idea. They argued that the swing set was so far gone that adding key supports to allow fixes to be made would not only fail, but might make the swing set worse. Truth be told, those people never wanted a swing set to begin with so no matter what I did, they would be against me.

It turns out that, although it was a lot of hard work, adding the additional supports has made the swing set more stable and safer. I am able to continue making much needed improvements and repairs and the outlook for the set is looking good.

My neighbor, who argued against adding the additional support, really was stubborn about his opinion. I have told him that is seems to have worked and yet he still argues with me and says it will be a failure. For weeks I invited him to come over and see for himself, but he said he was too busy trying to get this promotion at work and that he didn’t have the time. What bothered me was that, although he had not seen the improvements for himself, he still felt that it was ok to tell everyone that my plan was a failure. Eventually he can over for a visit.

As he swung on the previously weak swing set, a swing set that is now safe enough for him to play on; he argued that it did not work. When I pointed out the obvious, that it was a lot better and safer, he went on and on about how it was not the additional support or work that I had done that had made the set more secure. He said that while it may be true that it is technically safer than before, and that he respected my work (I think he was pandering), other factors that were already in motion were the real reason for the improvement.


Why won’t he admit that the addition of materials and work has turned out amazing improvements? He has criticized me before for being stubborn and arrogant and not acknowledging the obvious. Why is it ok for him to be that way?

I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that he wants to move into my house and push me out of the neighborhood, no matter what.

Well sorry that I decided to post about something non-political… Right?

Cross Posted at Bearing Drift.

Newsies Say The Darnest Things

Here is a great montage of news clips slip ups I found on Break. Enjoy.

Compilation of Funniest News Slip Ups - Watch more free videos

New Blog On The Scene

A good friend of mine, Ed D'Angelo, who is a professional musician has started his own Blog, Ohio Bassist.

Not only is Ed a great musician, but I have always known him to be a good writer and a great story teller. The goal of his blog, as he writes, is:

I left my job at a bank almost two years ago to pursue a full-time career in music, namely, as a bassist. In that short time, I've learned a lot about being a musician and about myself. I thought it might be entertaining to chronicle as much of this adventure as possible. While my main focus will be life as a full-time musician, I'll undoubtedly branch off into my other areas of interest as well.

Take a read and stay tuned. If I know Ed, this is going to evolve into something great!

Line of the Day

Today's line of the day is found as a comment by 'ed' left here (vote Mitt)

Barack has to pick a Vice President that has less experience than himself...otherwise the VP would overshadow his
candidacy...

I wonder if he's "vetting" some of the kids on that show..."Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?"....

Obama Biting The Hand that Made Him?

NBC News' Andrea Mitchell is annoyed at Brack Obama. Although she not normally known for being anti-anything liberal, this time she is fired up.

Regarding St. Obama’s trip to the Middle East, she said on MSNBC’s HARDBALL:

He didn't have reporters with him, he didn't have a press pool, he didn't do a press conference while he was on the ground in either Afghanistan or Iraq. What you're seeing is not reporters brought in. You're seeing selected pictures taken by the military, questions by the military, and what some would call fake interviews, because they're not interviews from a journalist. So, there's a real press issue here. Politically it's smart as can be. But we've not seen a presidential candidate do this, in my recollection, ever before.

Is she mad because of journalistic ethics, or is she mad like Dr. Frankenstein would be if his monster blew him off as well?

Read all about it

Joke of the Week

My father sent me this one today. I loved it.

An Indian walks into a cafe with a shotgun in one hand pulling a male buffalo with the other.

He says to the waiter:
'Want coffee.'

The waiter says, 'Sure, Chief. Coming right up.'

He gets the Indian a tall mug of coffee. The Indian drinks the coffee down in one gulp, turns and blasts the buffalo with the shotgun, causing parts of the animal to splatter everywhere and then just walks out.

The next morning the Indian returns. He has his shotgun in one hand, pulling another male buffalo with the other. He walks up to the counter and says to the waiter:
'Want coffee..'

The waiter says 'Whoa, Tonto! We're still cleaning up your mess from yesterday. What was all that about, anyway?'

The Indian smiles and proudly says...

"Training for position in United States Congress: Come in, drink coffee, shoot the bull, leave mess for others to clean up, disappear for rest of day.

Bearing Drift (The Original) Going to the GOP Convention

Jim Hoeft, my friend and the founding managing editor of the original Bearing Drift has been credentialed for Republican National Convention. I was honored to be one the original writers for Bearing Drift, which covers politics in Virginia so I am very proud of those guys down there! (read about it)

And to show you that the original Bearing Drift is one of the most influential political blogs, the media reported this news.

Enjoy the convention!

Sign of the Times

As I filled up my Ohio built Honda I noticed a sign on the pump. It told those who were about to fill their tanks that if they were going to spend more than $75, to go inside and get it pre-approved.

Now at first blush that seems like hard to do… $75 of gas?!?!? But in reality, it’s not. At around $4.25 a gallon, any car or truck with a tank holding more than 17 gallons will break $75.

A sign of the times.

Obama’s Trip Overseas Will Be WELL Covered

I suppose anyone’s first trip to Iraq, especially a critic of the war, should be covered by the media, but this much?

Senator John McCain's trip to Iraq last spring was a low-key affair: With his ordinary retinue of reporters following him abroad, the NBC News anchor Brian Williams reported on his arrival in Baghdad from New York, with just two sentences tacked onto the "in other political news" portion of his newscast.

But when Obama heads for Iraq and other locations overseas this summer, Williams is planning to catch up with him in person, as are the other two evening news anchors, Charles Gibson of ABC and Katie Couric of CBS, who, like Williams, are far along in discussions to interview Obama on successive nights. (source).

I wonder if Williams, Gibson and Couric will bring him flowers and candy?

Ironically their interview in Iraq will be uneventful and safe. Darn troop surge (which Obama said would fail... well no wait, he now says it was good, no wait, never mind) have ruined the violent backdrop the media loves so much.

Remember kids; a successful Iraq is bad for Democrats. They NEED failure to get votes. Sick.

Remind Me Again, Jesse… What Were You Mad At Imus For?

According to Media Bistro's TVNewser (And Confirmed by Fox News, Jesse Jackson said a little more than we knew about. One gem was:

"Barack...he's talking down to black people...telling nigg__s how to behave."

Hmmm... Where do I begin? I think you know.

What a hypocritical ass. What a joke he has become.

NBC Runs "Russert is still Dead" Story... Before Snow is Even Buried

Only proving my point before regarding the media coverage of Tony Snow’s death, NBC Nightly News decided to run a story about what they call the “Russert Effect” less than two days after Tony’s Snow’s death. I mean, Snow is not even buried and NBC feels the need to put the spotlight back on their guy. As one blogger put it: It was like a state funeral for Russert while the story about Snow’s death is on the back page.

I can only imagine the editors’ meeting.

“Uh-oh... We better remind people that Russert is still dead”

Of course I am being ridiculous but don’t you think this story about Russert could have been run a little later in the week? NBC shows less class than David Gregory drunk over seas (again).

Tony Snow, Son of Cincinnati, Dies At 53

One of my favorite conservative public figures, Tony Snow, has succumb to cancer and died at age 53.

Tony Snow, who was the original host of Fox News Sunday as well as a radio show, eventually became the Press Secretary for the White House. Snow graduating from Princeton High School in Sharonville, Ohio, where his father taught social studies. His mother, who also died of colon cancer in 1973 when he was 17, was an inner city nurse.

Tony Snow is the type of Conservative I strive to be. He is committed to what he believes but he was never bitter about it nor was he an ideologue. He approach was intellectual with a constant flavor of humor and a smile. He was the sort of person you would hope people would think of when they thought of a “Conservative.”

Aside from politics, it was painfully obvious that his cancer was getting worse when he stepped down from his role at the White House. Although he said it was to make more money, I think we all knew that he was getting sicker and it was time to focus on his health and family. Interview after interview showed an optimistic man fighting a cancer that was apparently winning. There is something inspirational about watching such an influential man being so aware that his attitude and determination to fight his cancer could inspire others and reassure the rest.

A class act who, from all reports, was a fine person to be around and a dedicated family man. Also, you have to love someone of his stature who enjoys a good jam on stage!

On a side note, one has to wonder if the media will fall over themselves half as much as they did when Tim Russert passed away… My gut says ‘no’ and that is disappointing.

Tiberi Hosts Tela-Town Hall

Republican Congressman Pat Tiberi (OH-12) hosted what he called a Tela-Town Hall this evening. Via phone Tiberi fielded calls from folks in his district regarding the topic of energy.

During the call Tiberi took many calls from a variety of people. Among many points of note, Tiberi voiced his support for a gas tax holiday (Where earmarks money would be used to pay for the roads monies lost) and spoke about his frustration with the Democratic leadership blocking any vote on the floor regarding real energy solutions.

On a personally funny note was one caller who said she "Knew someone" in the 60’s who had a casr that was accidentally equipped with an experimental carburetor that got that person 60MPG and when the car was taken tot the shop, that carburetor was mysteriously removed. Ugh. That caller, Ann, would be served to read Snopes and not be so naive.

In any event, it was a very informative and interactive call with the Congressman and I appreciate his use of technology. Maybe he would like to join us here at BDO for a podcast? Hmmmm.

African American Network To Snub GOP Convention: Double Standard Membership Renewed

TV One, an African American demographic centric cable network has decided it will cover the Democratic Convention but not the Republican Convention. The reason? Well, most of their viewers are black and they do not feel the need to cover both since they are not a news organization.

TV One CEO Johnathan Rodgers said,

"My audience is 93% black, I serve my audience"

So here we go again… Stereotype any African Americans in any way, you are a racist son-of-a-bitch. An African American organization does so, it is their prerogative.

Also, if they are not a news organization, then why cover any convention; a news worthy item?

Once again the double standard is maintained and one has to ask how much hell would be raised if ANY other network (Save one for BET) decided to cover the GOP Convention but NOT the Democratic Convention? What if the CW decided to cover the GOP convention, but not the Democratic one because most of their viewers are white (Which is true)?
It would take Sharpton and Jackson about 2.3 seconds to protest and demand boycotts of that network (To say nothing of their standard sponsor bullying) if that were to happen.
We have come a long way, haven’t we... have we?

PS Since I dare question a Black Organization, am I a racist SOB? No, but that is the normal reaction. Oh well.

h/t The Live Feed

I Guess Stars Of David Were Unavailable In California

In the latest in a series of foils in capital of Political Correctness, California is now requiring stickers on cars listing their impact on global warming. No, I wish I was kidding.

The labeling law forces cars for sale to display a global warming score, on a scale of one to 10, which is based on how vehicles in the same model year compare to one another. The higher the score, the cleaner a car is. The score takes into account emissions related to production of fuel for each vehicle as well as the direct emissions from vehicles.(source)

So how long until PEOPLE are required to weare labels explaining their impact on the enviroment? Hmmm, labeling people with patches and the like... where have we seen this before? Hmmmm.

I wonder how many Hollywood stars will proudly display their stickers on their Hybrids... that they drive to LAX every week to fly all over the world. Ass-Clowns.

A Thought for The Fourth of July

As the rhetoric of the left and the right (or those who have fallen into representing the right) becomes overly ratcheted all in the name of winning for the sake of winning, lest we forget what today is about.

To win favor with the populous it appears that all one needs to do is follow the Hollywood guided trend, which is to criticize not only the policies of the nation but the very thought of being proud of the nation. That saddens me.

Remember, it is ok to be proud of America. It is ok to be proud to be from this nation. It is ok to be patriotic. Let us all take a moment and try to remember when we weren’t all shamed when it came to American Pride, even if for only a day.

Central Ohio Fireworks and Parades

A friend of mine in the Mayor’s office sent out a list of the local fireworks and parades around Central Ohio. Times subject to change to so if they do, don’t blame me!

o Ashville: July 4, 10 p.m., Miller Park
o Bexley: July 4, dusk, Capital Univ. campus
o Buckeye Lake: July 3, 10 p.m., over the lake
o Chillicothe: July 4, dusk, Yoctangee Park
o Clintonville: July 4, 10 p.m., Whetstone Park
o Columbus: July 3, 10 p.m., downtown riverfront
o Delaware: July 4, 10 p.m., OWU Practice fields
o Dublin: July 4, 9:50 p.m., Dublin Coffman High School
o Gahanna: July 4, 10 p.m., Gahanna Municipal Golf Course
o Granville: July 2, dusk, from Wildwood Park on West Broadway
o Grove City: July 4, dusk, Beulah Park
o Groveport: July 4, dusk, Heritage Park
o Heath: July 2, 10 p.m., Gellar Park
o Hilliard: July 4, 9:45 p.m., from the Hilliard Municipal Park Amphitheatre
o Johnstown: July 4, dusk, Johnstown-Monroe High School
o Lancaster: July 4, 10 p.m., Fairfield County Fairgrounds
o London: July 3, dusk, London High School
o Marion: July 4, 10 p.m., Marion County Fairgrounds
o Marysville: July 4, dusk, Union County Fairgrounds
o Millersport: July 3, 10 p.m., from Buckeye Lake
o Mount Vernon: July 4, dusk, from Memorial Park, Mount Vernon Avenue
o New Albany: July 4, dusk, high school stadium
o Newark: July 4, dusk, from bike trail between Goose Pond Rd. and Sharon Valley Rd.
o New Lexington: July 4, 10 p.m., New Lexington Park
o Ostrander: July 4, 10 p.m., from Buckeye Valley West Elementary School
o Pickerington: July 4, 10 p.m., Victory Park
o Plain City: July 4, 9:45 p.m., Pastime Park
o Powell: June 28, 10:15 p.m., Village Green Park
o Reynoldsburg: July 5, 9:45 p.m., Civic Park
o Sunbury: July 4, 10 p.m., Big Walnut High School football stadium
o Upper Arlington: July 4, dusk, Northam Park, Tremont Road
o Washington Court House: July 3, 10 p.m., Fayette County Fairgrounds
o West Jefferson: July 4, dusk, Garrett Park
o Westerville: July 4, 10 p.m., Alum Creek State Park South
o Whitehall: July 4, 10 p.m., John Bishop Park
o Worthington: July 4, 10 p.m. at Thomas Worthington High School
o Worthington Hills: July 4, dusk, from Worthington Hills Country Club Driving Range
o Zanesville: July 4, dusk, Zane's Landing Park
o The Short North will celebrate with the 24th annual Doodah Parade at 1 pm followed by a grand finale with fireworks at Whetstone Park at 10 p.m.
o Ashville's parade starts at 11 a.m. at Miller Park.
o Bexley will have an 8 a.m. 5k Run begins from Jeffery Park with the parade beginning at 9:30 a.m. from Maryland Avenue School. The Bexley Centennial Celebration begins at 6 p.m. at the Capital University campus.
o Clintonville features events at Whetstone Park from a 7:30-10:30 a.m. community breakfast throughout the day until 7:30-10 p.m. entertainment with the Street Players on the main stage and post-fireworks entertainment from 10:30 to 11 p.m.
o Delaware features a July 4 Central Ohio Symphony outdoor concert at Ohio Wesleyan University campus at 8 p.m., and July 5 activities including the Delaware Main Street Farmers Market on Sandusky St., Children's activities at the corner of Williams and Sandusky St. from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and a parade beginning at 1 p.m. at the county fairgrounds traveling through downtown Delaware.
o Dublin's parade starts at 11 a.m. at Metro Place North. At 4:30 p.m. concert gates and kids area open at Dublin Coffman High School with Taylor Dayne performing at 6:15 p.m. and Rick Springfield performing at 8:15 p.m.