Remember the post-racial, post-partisan, post-ideological presidency that was promised? Obama the campaigner
A good compromise, a good piece of legislation, is like a good sentence; Everybody can recognize it. They say, 'Huh. It works. It makes sense.'
If we think that we can use the same partisan playbook where we just challenge our opponent's patriotism to win an election, then the American people will lose.
We need a leader who can finally move beyond the divisive partisanship of Washington and bring Democrats, Independents, and Republicans together to get things done.
Partisanship is why we can’t tackle the big problems that demand solutions. And that’s what we have to change first.
We will turn the page on the ugly partisanship in Washington, so we can bring Democrats and Republicans together to pass an agenda that works for the American people.
Obama the President
What I haven't been able to do in the midst of this crisis is bring the country together in a way that we had done in the Inauguration. That's what's been lost this year... that whole sense of changing how Washington works. - Obama from a January interview with People.
In other words you haven't done what you've promised.
A state of mind which occurs after smoking enough marijuana to the point where the user stares blankly into whatever catches his/her attention, as in "I was so stoned I didn't notice the movie was in French."
Pat Palmer posted a link to the complete Get A Mac campaign, saying
For all of you Apple freaks - here is a complete listing of all the “Get a Mac” ads since 2006. Adweek recently named this campaign the best of the decade and I would have to agree, although some would argue the strength of the campaign is that it gets out of the way of the products. Nice when that happens.
This reminded me that one of my favorite ads ever happens to be a Mac ad, the famous one with Ellen Feis, the red-eyed internet phenomenon posted above. She gives a thorough and ...coherent account of her troubles attempting to write (and rewrite) a school paper while battling her PC and the munchies, but does it stand up to technical analysis? I don't know much about computers, and I have no idea if a PC going bleep, bleep, blip, bleep, blip, bleep, bleep sounds like a keyboard buffer overrun, or if the ensuing crash would cause her loss of data. I'm not even sure if a Mac wouldn't do the same thing if you leaned your elbow on the delete key while taking a 30 second bong hit. But either way it sure is a great ad.
You would think our messianic leader, in all his boy genius, would need summon only a fraction of his legendary oratorical skills to speak off the cuff to a handful of schoolchildren. Video here Look how happy he looks, like a kid who just opened his Playskool 'lil Obama playset. Complete with speakers, microphone, teleprompters, and presidential podium. Batteries not included.
Nothing like seeing a freshman congressman getting schooled on senatorial procedure by a talkshow host. Bet he wishes he had gone on O'Reilly, it couldnt possibbly have been any worse.
A modern F1 steering wheel is a complex electronic device that allows the driver to control a vast amount of carsettings. The teams often assign one engineer that is responsible for its electronics and the design so that the drivers can use it comfortably. For that reason, today's handles of a steering wheel are anatomically formed and made of hard rubber that provides extra grip for the driver's hands. The main part of the wheel however is constructed, just like almost every car part, of carbon fibre to reduce its weight. The pieces used today have a pricetag of around € 23,000 each each.
The manufacture of any part on a Formula 1 car is a complex process, and the steering wheel is no exception. Various lightweight materials are used for its production, including the before mentioned carbon fibre and rubber with aluminium, titanium, steel and plastic. A complete steering wheel can take approximately 100 hours to produce from start to finish.
With the average steering wheel controlling as many as 12 separate parameters on the car, there is a large number of components, buttons and switches that have to be fitted during the manufacturing process – some 120 separate items in all. Yet, despite the myriad of materials and parts that make up each completed wheel, the weight of the finished unit, as fitted to the car, is just 1.3 kg
Click image to enlarge
1. Info of FIA/Race Control 2. Shift lights 3. Multi purpose display (engine revs, lap times, speed, gear, etc) 4. Neutral (usually when at the pit stop) 5. W – Activate front wing 6. Multipurpose button 7. K – KERS Boost button 8. – (presetting down) 9. + (presetting up) 10. Ack – Acknowledge 11. PL – Pit lane limiter 12. BB – Brake Balance 13. R – Radio 14. Box – Pit Box 15. SC – Safety Car 16. D – Drink 17. Pr – Problem Marker Button 18. Differential 19. Preload – Differential settings 20. Differential 21. Info to Pitcrew 22. Selector (KERS, front wing, RPM) 23. Tire adaptation 24. Wing – Presetting front wing 25. Pedal Map 26. Fuel Mix 27. Upshift Paddle 28. Downshift Paddle 29. Clutch
Scott Brown - "They will be challenged again and again all across this great land, and when there's trouble in Massachusetts, there's trouble everywhere."
"President Obama flew in Sunday for a last-minute campaign stop for beleaguered senatorial candidate Martha Coakley. In his speech, besides the usual exhortations to the party faithful, he managed to work in several snide references to her opponent's truck as a symbol of false populism. Coakley's opponent, Republican Scott Brown, was flabbergasted. "Unbelievable," he said. "The leader of the free world is talking about my truck."
Whether it's Coakley in Massachusettts, Corzine in New Jersey, Deeds in Virginia, or Mayor Daley in Copenhagen, the lesson to be learned is that nothing is so bad that it can't be made worse by a tin-horn, snake oil selling charlatan from D.C. coming to offer his support.
"I think we have to ask for people's vote...that's the way my husband ran. You can't take anything for granted."
Politico's Josh Kraushaar tweets"Sources report that turnout is high across board in MA, but disproportionately high in suburbs, Scott Brown strongholds."
With 24 hours to go before the special election in Massachussetts, Irish bookmaking outfit Paddy Power has already paid out on Republican candidate Scott Brown winning the seat last held by Democrat Senator Ted Kennedy saying, "Enough is enough. It seems that Senator Brown just has to get out of bed tomorrow to win convincingly. As far as we're concerned, this race is well and truly over."
The wagering company reported "very significant" betting on the Republican candidate which resulted in his odds falling from 5/4 to 1/5. Consequently the odds on Democrat candidate Martha Coakley have drifted from 4/7 to 3/1.
I don't suppose Paddy Power consulted Norm Coleman before making their decision.
"Democrats were able to explain Republicans’ Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial wins last year as localized events. They won’t be able to do that if Scott Brown wins today. It may be that the Curse of the Bambino returned. And it may not be just the end of Obamacare. A Brown win may be a portent of change we can believe in come November."
2012 Presidential Election Winning Party 8/13 Democrats Evs Republicans (from 11/10) 80/1 Any Other
2012 Presidential Election Republican Presidential Nominee 3/1 Mitt Romney 4/1 Haley Barbour 5/1 Newt Gingrich 5/1 Sarah Palin 8/1 John Boehner 10/1 Tim Pawlenty 10/1 Mike Huckabee 12/1 Bobby Jindal 12/1 Jon Huntsman 16/1 Fred Thompson 16/1 Bill Owens 18/1 Chuck Hagel 20/1 Scott Brown 20/1 David Petraeus 20/1 Jeb Bush 20/1 Lindsey Graham 20/1 Rudolph Giuliani 20/1 Chuck Baldwin 25/1 Tom Ridge 25/1 Ron Paul 33/1 John Ensign 33/1 John McCain 33/1 Condoleezza Rice 33/1 George Allen 40/1 Bill First 40/1 George Pataki 50/1 Sam Brownback 50/1 Arnold Schwarzenegger 100/1 Dick Cheney 500/1 Laura Bush
Had he not provided a link on this tweet I would have assumed the world's greatest living film critic was referring to the fetching Ms. Cupp's ascension on his personal list of ...um...inspirational material. But evidently residing in a state of bitter ignorance is common in far left circles. Cupp, whom Kate Harding characterized as “one of the latest young, white conservative women to make a career of saying inflammatory things while looking really pretty,” has become a popular target recently among liberals who find it easier to marginalize someone by comparing them to someone they already hate rather then actually reading their work and then offering fresh insight.
In the article Ebert (who once gave Garfield: A Tail of Two Kittiesthree stars) refers to, Cupp hits back at liberal writers who expressed concern that Palin didn't possess the endurance or mental stamina for the gruelling ordeal that is part-time network television, saying
"Excuse me, but what century are these guys from? The idea that a former governor, a seasoned politician and a mother of five from Alaska isn't capable of chiming in every now and then on issues with which she is already intimately familiar is downright archaic. It's also preposterous. When did television punditry become the vaunted decathlon of the political Olympics? As a pundit myself, I can tell you it's a job Sarah Palin can more than handle. In fact, it's a job at which she can excel. But this kind of hyperventilating over Palin's skill set isn't just antiquated and uninformed. It's also sexist."
Remember the White House's well timed battle with Fox News to divert attention from the real news of the President's failed economic policies and the plummeting support for Obamacare? Maybe this is Ebert's way of avoiding real news, like the ever increasing odds of the gaffe-prone Martha Coakley losing her senate bid in Massachusetts. Hey come to think of it, she's like the new Joe Biden.
I thought judges were supposed to be ambitious, or at least sensible.
As voters we tend to view judicial elections with far less importance than other offices. Everyone talks about their favorite candidates for the House and Senate (even in other states), yet few seem as concerned with choosing an official with whom you may actually come into contact with, who will stand between you and your neighbor, or you and your state.
For all the authority Pat Quinn may have, he will never decide on visitation rights for my children. No matter how much influence Debbie Halvorson may have, she will never make a decision on how much to fine me for a traffic ticket. And for all of the power that President Obama has, he will never rule on a dispute between me and my psychotic, mentally unhinged next door neighbour.
History, factual and anecdotal, as well as daytime television, is full of stories of judges who are not only competent, but also compassionate and humane, capable of understanding and meting out both justice and mercy, with a desire to seek out the truth.
As I looked at a sample ballot, I realized that I knew absolutely nothing of the candidates running. So I took a look at one race, the Vacancy of the Hon. Ronald C. Riley in the Cook County Circuit Court. Turns out there are 7 Democrats running and zero Republicans. Which isn't that big of a deal since we're supposed to be more concerned with judicial temperament than partisanship and it is after all, Chicago. So according to Illinoisjudges.net the candidates are
- Sandra G. Ramos - Website: http://www.ramosforjudge.com/ - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Bar Association - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association
- Russell William Hartigan - Response to ICJL Questionnaire - Candidate Resume - Website: http://www.russellwhartiganforjudge.com/ - Campaign Committee: Committee to Elect Russell W Hartigan - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire - Rated "Highly Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers - Rated "Highly Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association - Endorsed by the Chicago Tribune
- James Michael Bailey - Website: http://www.baileyforjudge.org/ - Campaign Committee: Citizens for James Michael Bailey - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association
- John Patrick Nyhan - Campaign Committee: Citizens for John Patrick Nyhan - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Bar Association - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association
- Edmund Paul Michalowski - Website: http://www.edmichalowski.com/ - Campaign Committee: Friends of Ed Michalowski - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Bar Association - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association
- Marvin W. Gray - Response to ICJL Questionnaire - Candidate Resume - Website: http://www.marvingray.com/ - Campaign Committee: Citizens to Elect Marvin W Gray - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Bar Association - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association
- Tracey J. Stokes - Campaign Committee: Committee to Elect Tracey J. Stokes - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire - Rated "Highly Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association
ENDORSEMENTS: - Cook County Democratic Party: Ramos - Independent Voters of Illinois (IVI-IPO): Hartigan - Chicago Federation of Labor: Bailey - Personal PAC: Hartigan - Fraternal Order of Police - Chicago Lodge 7: Bailey - Illinois Committee for Honest Government: Stokes
Now I would think that most people could safely rule out the "not qualified" and "not recommended" candidates right away, even without knowing what those ratings mean specifically in regards to the election. But, being a little more curious and wishing to give some benefit of the doubt I scrolled down and saw more detailed information. For example, regarding Michalowski, it says
"Edmund Paul Michalowski refused to be evaluated. He is Not Recommended for the Circuit Court."
and
"the candidate declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association's governing resolution for the JE, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED."
Now there may be perfectly good reasons for all of this, and then again maybe not. For me the decision is made when I scroll down and see the entry for candidate Hartigan;
"Russell W. Hartigan is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Hartigan was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1976. He has practiced a wide range of complex civil litigation matters. He has tried a variety of civil jury trials. He is respected by his peers and possesses an excellent temperament. The committee finds he is “Highly Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge."
At least I'll remember who not to vote for. He has the longest name. And the shortest qualifications.
Suprise, suprise. But I thought they liked us? What with all the bowing, snubbing of the Dalai Lama, Hillary's pleas to buy more debt, and Obama's help in advertising...whatever those things are that that guy is shoving in his mouth. When will Obama learn that the Chinese and Russians will act in their own self interests? And that we had better start doing the same. Read about it here
I missed the implications of this up front and I bet you all did too, but I am hearing from members of the American intelligence community and some on the outside closely connected to those on the inside who are raising a huge red flag right now.
It appears Barack Obama inexperience and amateurishness has just started bonfires on the bridges connecting him to the American intelligence community and delivered a huge, HUGE psychological win to Al Qaeda.
The armoured anti-riot vehicles have a capacity of 10,000 liters to shoot cold and hot water, and three 100 liter tanks to shoot burning chemical liquids. The water is mixed with paint or tear gas that cannot be washed away. Each vehicle has two guns for shooting liquid up to a distance of 70 meters- it is controlled from inside the cabin. The price tag for each unit is 650,000 dollars. Also, a lot of extra burning liquid, paint, and tear gas was purchased.
An opposition news website is reporting that Iran has imported high-tech armored anti-riot vehicles equipped with water cannons that can douse people with boiling water or teargas. The website said the vehicles were a rush order from their manufacturers in China, Dalian Eagle-Sky. With an alleged price of $650,000 a unit, the 25-ton trucks each hold 2,640 gallons of water, which can shoot hot or cold water at a distance of up 220 feet. They can also shoot tear gas, burning chemicals or paint stored in three 26-gallon containers. It includes a plow, which can presumably demolish makeshift barriers placed on streets by protesters, or even the demonstrators themselves.
More unintended consequenes of our consensus building messiah's diplomatic genius? Or perhaps his appeal for Chinese support of Iranian sanctions failed to distinguish between the regime and it's civilians. Maybe Hillary can send them a reset button. It's worked so well with Putin so far. Sohrebestan writes
We pray that this regime will not last to get to use these violent equipments. But even if they do get to use them on the streets, it is nothing to worry about. Iranians are so creative that we will find the cheapest way to destroy them. The tyrannical and blood thirsty government of China should realize that this inhumane action against the people of Iran will turn out to be a big punishment. We will cut off their hands from our country and we will try our best to get rid of their products in our region. Also, China should wait for our full support of the people of Tibet against their barbaric crimes and the Muslim people of Sien Kiang, and we will punch their dirty mouths.
Even Maureen Dowd took time off from stalking Sarah Palin to take a shot at Big Sis...
If we can’t catch a Nigerian with a powerful explosive powder in his oddly feminine-looking underpants and a syringe full of acid, a man whose own father had alerted the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, a traveler whose ticket was paid for in cash and who didn’t check bags, whose visa renewal had been denied by the British, who had studied Arabic in Al Qaeda sanctuary Yemen, whose name was on a counterterrorism watch list, who can we catch?
The best chance for a peaceful resolution to Iran's nuclear ambition remains a change of regime. A resolution that Obama has no idea how to carry through. Obama the candidate spoke of strong countries and presidents talking to their adversaries (giving legitimacy to holocaust deniers in the process) and Obama the President followed through, wasting an entire year. While Iranians protested a sham election and Obama took credit for creating a robust debate without offering support for the protesters, the centrifuges were spinning. While Obama placated Russia with the cancellation of a missile shield in the vain hopes of support for sanctions against Iran, the centrifuges were spinning. In September while presiding over the Security Council, Obama, with seemingly every TV camera in the world focused on him, and with knowledge of the Qom enrichment facility, did...nothing. With the British and the French urging him to use the opportunity to reveal to the world the hidden nuclear facility, Obama refused, not wanting reality to detract from his Security Council reveries of a nuclear-free world. And instead chose the next day to make the announcement. In Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, the centrifuges kept spinning. And now this week, with the death of opposition religious leader, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, protesters are demanding an overthrow of the dictatorship. And still, Obama maintains his vision of engagement. While Tehran boasts of being ten times stronger than they were a year ago, and calls for US disarmament, demonstrators carry signs written in English - graffiti in Tehran asks “Obama — are you with them or with us?" Obama's dreams of engagement and deadlines have run out. Opportunities to increase the odds of a regime change through support of the protesters have passed us by. A year has passed. And still, the centrifuges spin.
