The Rare Luck of a Pardoned Turkey

Turkeys are for eating, drawing with your hand, and not much else.

For the Elite, Loss is Always the Result of Conspiracy or the Riot of the Unwashed Hordes

I hear Bristol Palin earned 27 out of a possible 30 points tonight for her performance on Dancing with the Stars. that ought to be enough to silence the critics who claim she cannot dance, but I suspect it will not. Last week, they let slip less than subtle hints of racism when Bristol defeated Brandi. If she wins tomorrow night, I suppose the haters will blame Jennifer grey’s loss on her nose job. You know, voters could not tell they were backing Baby into a corner.

But seriously--shooting out your television set, sending envelopes of white powder, making death threats, or even complaining the show’s credibility will be ruined by a Bristol victory is not only deranged, but ought to make the powers that be at the show feel dirty those are the kind of people they are entertaining week after week.

Let me temper that statement a bit. I imagine the vast majority of Dancing with the Stars fans are decent people. What irritates me is that apparently elitist minority who believe the show belongs exclusively to them, so if their pony does not win the race, it is either a conspiracy or the unwashed hordes getting out of line.

Remember a couple years ago on American Idol when the flamboyantly gay musical theater actor Adam Lambert turned his weekly performance into a spectacle. Granted, he hit the mark a couple times, but most people tuned in to see what kind of freak show he was going to attempt top pull off. The same crowd that cannot tolerate Bristol doing well swore Lambert was a shoo in, but he was defeated by the clean cut, All American Kris Allen.

Critics screamed bloody murder that conservative Christians had voted en masse for Allen, not because he was talented or because they switched votes from similar contestants already eliminated, but that their politics and religion just could not tolerate seeing a gay kid win. If the Tea Party had been around then, that is the term that would have been tossed about for Allen’ supporters. If Bristol wins, said critics are likely to find their old Word documents, do a quick search and replace, and run the same articles they wrote back then. It will save time, at any rate.

keep in mind: the narrative of 2004 is Bush 43 stole the election by tampering with voting machines and disenfranchising black voters in a widespread epidemic, but four years later, Barack Obama won fair and square without anyone having rectified the dastardly executed circumstances surrounding Bush 43's previous victory. It is only their guy/gal who is the clear, honest winner.

It sounds like I am critiquing only progressives, but elitism is elitism. Much hay is being made over George F. Will’s blistering critique of Sarah Palin Sunday morning. What it boils down to is will has determined palin is too un-presidential because she shows up on television too often rather than staying in Alaska. Not that staying in Alaska would have improved her in his eyes. Will referred to Palin as Sancho Panza a scant few days after her selection as John McCain’s Veep. Will has also failed to explain how Ronald Reagan, a candidate he did debate preparation with, was not sullied by Bedtime for Bonzo while Sarah Palin’s Alaska is the death knell for her two years out.

Flotsam & Jetsam

This has been a no news week as far as I concerned. Not much has been worthy of individual posts, so here is a flotsam and jetsam dump of various points of interest.

You know it is a slow news week when the three major stories of one day involve three different members of the palin family. Sarah claims she can beat Barack Obama in 2012. I like the prospect, but am not yet sold on the reality. Bristol is doing well on Dancing with the Stars and it is just killing progressives. Willow used a homophobic term on her Facebook page. Have any of her critics ever seen a typical internet flame war between teenager/ Compared to most, Willow sounded like a miffed Veggie Tales character.

Charles Rangel shed some crocodile tears while begging for mercy, claiming he may not live much longer. What a tawdry, blatantly manipulative move. It is further evidence of his low character. My advice--if he really is on his last leg, expel him from the House so he can spend his final days in blissful retirement away from our tax dollars.

If we could just racially profile like the Israelis do, we would not have to debate full body scanners or pat downs. But as long as we value political correctness over national security, we cannot whine much about what happens to our junk before boarding a plane. Sorry to depart from many of my civil libertarian brethren there. If it makes you feel any better, I only feel that way in general principle. I am confident these safety measures violate the Fourth Amendment.

jim DeMint is a gentleman, but I hope he does not make amends with Lisa Murkowski. not that he has any to make. Politics is a tough game, Princess Lisa. Deal with it.

There are journalists in the united Kingdom who sole job is to be a “royal watcher.” I thought there could not possibly be a more uselessly offensive career than a sports agent, but I was wrong. Royal watchers take the cake. How can they sleep at night knowing the oxygen they suck up could go to someone more important/

Speaking of sports agents, Dan Uggla’s landed him a spot as the new 2nd baseman for my beloved Atlanta Braves. The Florida Marlins could not afford to keep the power hitting, gold Glove winning, All Star. Or any other decent player, for that matter. Yet the team has been tweeting the arrival of its new players like they are all All Stars. Kind of pitiful, really. But I am happy to have Uggla as a Brave. The team’s power really petered out there at the end.

I cannot think of anything else interesting.

Palin Derangement Syndrome is Not Just About Sarah

Full disclosure; I do not watch Dancing with the Stars. Therefore, I can only comment on the absurdity surrounding progressive irritation Bristol Palin, presumably a lead-footed dancer, making it to the finals. Any fans want to elaborate on details I am incapable of, feel free to do so.

Good Morning America did a seven minute segment this morning on an alleged conspiracy that Tea Partiers are putting forth a concerted effort to make Bristol this season’s DWTS champion even though the judges have consistently disliked her routines. I do not know if this is true and do not really care, because what the accusation boils down to is, "How dare viewers vote for the dancer of their choice!” I mean, geez, she is not even a real dancer like…well, none of the stars are real dancers, actually.

Let me tell you something my trial practice professor told me back in law school. It does not matter how in the right your client is or how well you argued his case. Be prepared to lose based solely on the idea you were a jerk, you wore wearing an ugly tie, or the female lawyer you were going up against has nice boobs. Juries--people in general--make decisions on whatever criteria they feel like, facts be…uh, darned.

Most certainly, politics plays a role in Bristol’s case. Her mother is Sarah Palin, Progressives want her to pull a hamstring on live television just for that fact. You have to be bemused at how progressives will despise a child period for who her mother is, much less something so frivolous as her mother being a prominent Republican contemplating what has a decent chance of being a successful 2012 White House bid.

Then there is the Wisconsin man who shot out his television over Bristol's DWTS success.

How many of Bristol’s critics would have the courage to get on national television and perform like she has, with no prior experience, and putting up with the double whammy of the judge’s heavy criticism and a politically motivated hatred that can prompt gunplay/ Virtually none, I would imagine. It must be terribly irksome for the to know Bristol is having a good time all the way, too.

Apparently, progressives think no one is ever supposed to be successful or happy. The guilt of it all is supposed to weigh you down to the point there is no pleasure in it. Even if your success is indisputable, it is the by product of centuries of imperialism, racial prejudice--Bristol beat out Brandy, for heaven’s sake!--and environmental irresponsibility. If you do not see that, you are just too stupid to live. Fortunately, progressives have a death panel waiting for you…eventually.

So there! One can only deduce it is Bristol’s happiness that really bothers the left. Therefore, it makes me happy. I hope she wins the whole competition.

Sarah Palin's Alaska Breaks TLC Ratings Record

The premiere of sarah Palin's Alaska broke TLC's ratings record by attracting five million viewers. More importantly, the series attracted 1.6 million viewers in the coveted 18-49 range of folks who are apparently the most willing to blow wads of cash on advertised products. The series was competing against Sunday Night Football as well. It is usually a show killer for the impressionable 18-49 viewers/shoppers.

Predictably, there have been political overtones in the generally lukewarm to cold critc opinions for the series. Nevertheless, I am not going to chalk up the vast majority of negative to political bias. Most of those negative reviews have deemed the show boring. Said opinion is more a matter of some New York or Chicago journalist who cannot comprehend why anyone would watch a travelogue period. Or a show in which Chuck Norris fights bad guys as a straight laced Texas Ranger or any other of the myriad shows that last seven or more seasons, but no one outside of flyover country can comprehend why.

In spite of Karl Rove’s declaration doing this show is un-presidential, (Bush 43 chopping wood in the Texas summer=presidential; Palin hunting and fishing in Alaska=un-presidential) it is only going to solidify her image to all parties. If you are a conservative who likes her, you are going to see her as more of a real person. If you are a progressive who does not like her, you are also going to see her as real person, which for some reason is bad in the liberal mind. The latter’s fear Palin will seek the presidency is only going to make the former more likely to rally around her.

Meanwhile, Tina Fey wins a comedy award for reasons known only to the demon to whom she signed a Faustian pact and thanked--Sarah Palin.

The Sound and the Fury of the Anti-Palinites

The entire blogosphere is buzzing about the Vanity Fair hit piece "Sarah Palin: The Sound and the Fury." Make no mistake--it is such a brutal piece of no facts personal attacks that even the progressives who hate Sarah Palin with a passion--why, oh why will she not kill babies? does she not know she is a woman?--are aghast. For my part, I am wondering exactly how much further journalism can sink into the toilet before everyone stops paying attention. What are they teaching in journalism schools tese ays?

One thing the article does settle for me is Palin is the real deal and the progressives know it. Maybe it is more a fear that Barack Obama has performed so poorly anyone the Republicans nominate can defeat him into 2012. If you will excuse my skepticism, I heard that sort of argument after the GOP landslide in 1994. Bill Clinton wound up trouncing Bob Dole, who was nominated soely because it was his turn. Any hoest student of politics is not writing Obama off yet. Two years is log time.

Palin is the real deal because the far left is smearing heart every turn and the reasonable left--debate amongst yourselves who falls in that category--is fretting over the smears because said attacks rile up her fan base. There is still a sense of chivalry I America, particularly among conservatives. Smack her around too much, and people are going to rally around her.

Here is the bottom line; there are two types of presidential candidates. There are the top tier folks like Hillary Clinton and George W. Bush who either have the name reconition and requisite experience to win the office. Then there are the Alan Keyes and pat Buchanan types who want to run to increae their public profile so they can sell more books or land a television or radio show.

Palin does not have to ru for president to earn the clout for the latter. He could have more than keyes or Buchann ever dreamed of. Probably her ow oprah-type show, if she so desired. The progressives would not fear that, either. For all their mock hatred of Rush Limbaugh andGlenn Beck, they are both high profile targets to help Democrat party fudraising. Palin would probably top them both. What other conservative female pundit wouldbeso high profile? Laura Ingraham? Hardly.

No, Palin is being viciously attacked because she is I the former category. She is acotender. Is she a winner? Probably more so than you think right now. Keep in mind there isaother side to the concept of runnig it up the flagpole and seeing who salutes. You should also watchfor who is in direct opposition, too. The more influential the people in opposition, the bigger the threat what they hate presents.

Palin Derangement Syndrome Stoops Even Lower

I thought it was odd enough wishy washy conservative David Frum used Bristol Palin's abandonment by Levi Johnson As an argument in favor of overturning Proposition 8, but Palin Derangement Syndrome has managed to reach new lows since then.

The left side of the photosphere was in a tizzy yesterday over video of Palin’s encounter with Kathleen Gustafson, a teacher who was holding a sign which said “Worst Governor Ever.” Palin went over to tlk to the woman and got an earful.

Gustafson was obnoxious and rude, claiming that Palin has sworn an oath “on her precious Bible” to serve the state of Alaska, but resigned early. Gustafson is making herself out to be a cheated citizen when she also makes it clear she was never a palin supporter in the first place.

Did Palin have to go over and address the woman? No, and the “Worst Governor Ever” sign was a big hint to not do so. But it is not in Palin’s nature to play it safe. Did she roll her eyes at Gustafson? Probably. Was it justified? Sure, why not? The woman was not sincere in her feelings. It the incident thw gotcha moment for which progressives have been waiting? I would hope progressives have higher standards, but spero meliora.

Now comes word that Levi Johnson, rather than making an adult film or getting the snot beat out of him by Michael Lohan in Celebrity Boxing, has a couple networks interested in a reality show in which he will run for mayor of Wasilla. The prospective series was arranged by Johnson’s agent, Tank.

Yes, Tank. Presumably, Johnson discovered his talent agent’s phone number scribbled in crayon on the men’s room wall of a tattoo parlor. One would think a guest spot on Jersey Shore would be too classy a career coup for this chap.

The best part? Johnson is disappointed. He would rather make an adult film, I guess, but he is being used as a dupe to embarrass Palin. The self-proclaimed ’effin redneck” is too stupid to know it.

But the real kicker here is not that Johnson is stupid. That is a given. It is that someone wats to make a reality show mocking the election process of a small town in Alaska as a means of taig jbs at Palin. Could they not be a little more creative about it? Set MacFarlane is still taking victory laps over a Family Guy joke about a developmentally challenged girl saying her mother was the governor of Alaska that I thought was neither mean spirited or funny.

If one is going to crow of possessing an air of superior sophistication than Palin, should not one not demonstrate a superior sophistication? It does not appear to bea requirement. Using her daughter as an example of white trash or an underage sex joke (Hello, David Letterman), pitching fits overran imperceptible eye roll, producing a reality show about her home town, and joking about having handicapped children will do I the high class criticism department.

Levi Johnston to Marry Bristol Palin

Sue me, I am a cynic--the announcement is evidence Levi Johnston decided the gravy train would be more lucrative asa member of the Palin family rather than trashing it.

Will this end well? Probably not.

UPDATE: A reality show? It makes sense. That is the new memoir these days. Used to be when you got famous, you wrote a book. Then for a while it was film a movie. Now it is a reality show.

UPDATE II: Sarah Palin says:

“Bristol, at 19, is now a young adult. As parents we obviously want what is best for our children, but Bristol is ultimately in charge of determining what is best for her and her beautiful son.

Bristol believes in redemption and forgiveness to a degree most of us struggle to put in practice in our daily lives.

We pray that, as a couple, Bristol and Levi’s relationship matures into one that will allow Tripp to grow up graced with two loving parents in his life.”

I sense a hint of skepticism.

Did Sarah Palin Get Breast Implants?

I do not know or care, but "Sarah Palin breast implants" is trending in Google and I will not allow it to pass me by.

Did Sarah Palin Get Breast Implants?

I do not know or care, but "Sarah Palin breast implants" is trending in Google and I will not allow it to pass me by.

South Carolina Political Blogger Admits Affair with Nikki Haley

Politics in my home state never ceases to amaze me.

UPDATE: Haley denies doing the deed.

UPDATE II: If there is another hot, Republican babe running for office willing to *ahem8* date in exchange for positive blog posts, I am not above it. Feel free to contact me so we can negotiate. Not all blog promotion comes at the same price, you see.

UPDATE III: Sarah Palin to the rescue.

South Carolina Political Blogger Admits Affair with Nikki Haley

Politics in my home state never ceases to amaze me.

UPDATE: Haley denies doing the deed.

UPDATE II: If there is another hot, Republican babe running for office willing to *ahem8* date in exchange for positive blog posts, I am not above it. Feel free to contact me so we can negotiate. Not all blog promotion comes at the same price, you see.

UPDATE III: Sarah Palin to the rescue.

Sarah Palin to Endorse Nikki Haley for Governor

There is an interestig turn of events. State Rep. Nikki Haley is a solid fiscal and social conservative, but she has had a hard time gaining traction against her Republican opponents Atty. General Henry McMaster, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, ad US Rep. Gresham Barrett largely because she is a relative newcomer who is most well known for being an associate of Gov. Mark Sanford.

Palin is popular in South Carolina, but we have a habit of ignoring any outsiders that attempt to change our minds about any decision. Currently, McMaster is the favorite to win the nomination. It is likely to stay that way. Perhaps Palin is not reading the tea leaves--or is that tobacco leaves/--very well. Or maybe she believes south Carolina is such a conservative state, she has nothing to lose. She is probably right.

The endorsement will be the second big boost for Haley in the last week. Reform SC, the group formed to put Sanford into office years ago, has announced a statewide campaign to promote Haley as government reformer.

Is all this enough to give her campaign enough momentum to pull off a primary upset? My gut says no. McMaster feels like the best fit. It is not Haley’s turn yet. Then again, no one thought Andre bauer could do anything more than keep the state house seat his daddy bought him warm and now he is a gubernatorial candidate, so anything can happen.

Sarah Palin to Endorse Nikki Haley for Governor

There is an interestig turn of events. State Rep. Nikki Haley is a solid fiscal and social conservative, but she has had a hard time gaining traction against her Republican opponents Atty. General Henry McMaster, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, ad US Rep. Gresham Barrett largely because she is a relative newcomer who is most well known for being an associate of Gov. Mark Sanford.

Palin is popular in South Carolina, but we have a habit of ignoring any outsiders that attempt to change our minds about any decision. Currently, McMaster is the favorite to win the nomination. It is likely to stay that way. Perhaps Palin is not reading the tea leaves--or is that tobacco leaves/--very well. Or maybe she believes south Carolina is such a conservative state, she has nothing to lose. She is probably right.

The endorsement will be the second big boost for Haley in the last week. Reform SC, the group formed to put Sanford into office years ago, has announced a statewide campaign to promote Haley as government reformer.

Is all this enough to give her campaign enough momentum to pull off a primary upset? My gut says no. McMaster feels like the best fit. It is not Haley’s turn yet. Then again, no one thought Andre bauer could do anything more than keep the state house seat his daddy bought him warm and now he is a gubernatorial candidate, so anything can happen.

David Kernell Convicted of Hacking Sarah Palin's E-Mail Account

It took the jury four days to convict him. While it is impossible to read a jury’s mindset, I suspect they were torn between knowing Kernell had broken the law and the argument that he was attempting to influence the 2008 election. The former is obvious. The latter is a little far fetched.

Nevertheless, Sarah Palin took to her face book account an drew a parallel between her personal correspondence having been accessed and Watergate.

Palin is the cat’s meow as far as I am concerned, but I think she is being overly dramatic here. Kernell’s father is a democrat state representative in Tennessee. The kid probably does not like republicans and being the reckless sort, hacked Palin’s e-mail account just to embarrass her. Maybe he expected to find something that would jeopardize her spot on the GOP ticket, but that is farfetched.

What he did do was allow screenshots of her account to appear on the internet. That resulted in harassing phone calls because Bristol Palin’s cell phone was clearly visible Such was his likely intention--just to bean obnoxious pain.

Kernell could potentially face twenty years in ail. He will not get anywhere near that. This is going to be considered a college prank more than some attempt to influence a national election.

On the bright side, Keith Olbermann is really upset Palin did not perjure herself like he had hoped. So there is that.

David Kernell Convicted of Hacking Sarah Palin's E-Mail Account

It took the jury four days to convict him. While it is impossible to read a jury’s mindset, I suspect they were torn between knowing Kernell had broken the law and the argument that he was attempting to influence the 2008 election. The former is obvious. The latter is a little far fetched.

Nevertheless, Sarah Palin took to her face book account an drew a parallel between her personal correspondence having been accessed and Watergate.

Palin is the cat’s meow as far as I am concerned, but I think she is being overly dramatic here. Kernell’s father is a democrat state representative in Tennessee. The kid probably does not like republicans and being the reckless sort, hacked Palin’s e-mail account just to embarrass her. Maybe he expected to find something that would jeopardize her spot on the GOP ticket, but that is farfetched.

What he did do was allow screenshots of her account to appear on the internet. That resulted in harassing phone calls because Bristol Palin’s cell phone was clearly visible Such was his likely intention--just to bean obnoxious pain.

Kernell could potentially face twenty years in ail. He will not get anywhere near that. This is going to be considered a college prank more than some attempt to influence a national election.

On the bright side, Keith Olbermann is really upset Palin did not perjure herself like he had hoped. So there is that.

The Folly of the Obama Nuke Policy and START

For those who believe Barack obama had not altered the United States' nuke policy last week, read 'em and weep:

“We were concerned about the biological weapons,” Gates said, “and that’s why the president was very clear … if we see states developing biological weapons that we begin to think endanger us or create serious concerns, that he reserves the right to revise this policy.”

The Obama administration will revise its nuke policy if and when attacked by a dirty bomb. so what was the point of the new policy in the first place? what happened/ Did a certain Pit Bull Hockey Mom change Obama's mind:While I am on the subject, Oama may be 0 for 2 i the nuke department. There may not be enough votes in the senate to ratify the newSTART treaty.

It is a ood thing, too. The treaty limits the size of the nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia. However, Russia is already below the limit. The United States is not. Therefore, the treaty is for unilateral disarmament. START is just another way Obama is tryig to cripple the United States.