Centricity - The state or quality of being centric; centricalness.
Centrisity - The state or quality of not being bound to an ideology. Freedom of thought.
The bad parts are about 70% of it are not really farm programs- they’re food stamps and entitlement programs.
What are those items in the naughty 70%, well, they're food programs to keep people healthy.A Wikipedia editor emailed Political Wire to point out some similarities between Sen. John McCain's speech today on the crisis in Georgia and the Wikipedia article on the country Georgia. Given the closeness of the words and sentence structure, most would consider parts of McCain's speech to be derived directly from Wikipedia.Of course, if Sen. Obama had done the same thing, he would be given a free pass as well, right?!?
“There is reluctance in my heart, as I know there is in the other senators, to contemplate the use of force,” Mr. Bayh said, adding that he concluded “we were simply left with no other credible alternative to protect the safety and well-being of the American people.”I don't see this is a hindrance. There are left leaners out there like myself who continue to support the war on terror. we just have some problems with how the current administration is executing it.
Six years later, Mr. Bayh is one of the leading candidates to be the running mate of the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama, associates of Mr. Obama say. But Mr. Bayh’s advocacy for the war could complicate his prospects for getting on the ticket.
The top 17 perform again tonight to lock in the Top 12 finalists for 2008. My Alma Mater, the Blue Stars, are poised to return to that elite stature with a 9th place Quarterfinal finish. The Madison Scouts look to return after missing out last year, but the Crossmen are breathing down their neck."So now the Republicans are going around - this is the kind of thing they do. I don't understand it! They’re going around, they're sending like little tire gauges, making fun of this idea as if this is 'Barack Obama's energy plan.'Oooo , sting . . . burn!!
"Now two points, one, they know they're lying about what my energy plan is, but the other thing is they're making fun of a step that every expert says would absolutely reduce our oil consumption by 3 to 4 percent. It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant.
"You know, they think it is funny that they are making fun of something that is actually true. They need to do their homework. Because this is serious business. Instead of running ads about Paris Hilton and Britney Spears they should go talk to some energy experts and actually make a difference."
And now, the DNC is joining forces to make sure the electorate is very clear on what motivates McCain and the GOP this cycle, by launching Exxon-McCain ’08. I like how they put McCain in the Veep slot *laughing*“The oil industry was so generous with its campaign largesse,” a party official says, “John McCain has not only put Exxon on the ticket — but he has graciously stepped aside and is allowing Exxon ... to run at the top of the ticket."Anyway, 'Are you Pumped?"
First presidential debate
Friday, September 26
The University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss.
Jim Lehrer
Executive Editor and Anchor, The NewsHour, PBS
Vice presidential debate
Thursday, October 2
Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.
Gwen Ifill
Senior Correspondent, The NewsHour, and Moderator and Managing Editor, Washington Week, PBS
Second presidential debate (town meeting)
Tuesday, October 7
Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn.
Tom Brokaw
Special Correspondent, NBC News
Third presidential debate
Wednesday, October 15
Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.
Bob Schieffer
CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent, and Host, Face the Nation
A guy gets 70% of the Republican primary vote, and how does he repay his party? By endorsing Barack Obama for president and the Democratic challenger to an incumbent Republican for Senate. At least that's how Joel Haugen, challenging Oregon Rep. David Wu, decided to thank his party's leadership for their support.My favorite part:
If McCain was serious about competing on the West Coast, he's going to need a more loyal fan base.When issues are at the fore front, the Dems win, every time. That is why the Right needs to play games (see juvenile floor antics over the last couple days), create something out of nothing ('The One' commercial, which I think in the long run will probably backfire) or completely make stuff up.
Drum Corps Scores and Rankings for 04 August 2008
**** Final DCI Regular Season Rankings ****
01 (03) - 96.15 (1) - Blue Devils
02 (02) - 96.00 (2) - Phantom Regiment
03 (01) - 95.90 (4) - The Cavaliers
04 (04) - 95.15 (3) - Carolina Crown
05 (05) - 93.90 (3) - The Cadets
06 (06) - 92.35 (1) - Bluecoats
06 (07) - 92.35 (1) - Santa Clara Vanguard
08 (11) - 88.80 (1) - Boston Crusaders
09 (09) - 88.30 (2) - Glassmen
10 (10) - 87.95 (1) - Blue Stars
11 (08) - 87.65 (2) - Blue Knights
12 (12) - 85.05 (3) - Crossmen
13 (13) - 85.00 (2) - Madison Scouts
14 (15) - 83.55 (2) - Colts
15 (14) - 83.10 (1) - Spirit
16 (16) - 82.25 (1) - Troopers
17 (17) - 79.95 (2) - Pacific Crest
18 (19) - 79.00 (1) - Mandarins
19 (18) - 78.10 (2) - The Academy
20 (20) - 74.95 (2) - Pioneer
-------
(1) = 08/04/08 - Massilon, OH (DCI)
(2) = 08/04/08 - Toledo, OH (DCI)
(3) = 08/03/08 - Westminster, MD (DCI)
(4) = 08/01/08 - Allentown, PA (DCI)
- - - -
****Average of Last 5 Shows - DCI World Class Corps****
01 (01) - 95.090 - Blue Devils
02 (04) - 94.330 - Phantom Regiment
03 (02) - 94.235 - The Cavaliers
04 (03) - 94.200 - Carolina Crown
05 (05) - 93.270 - The Cadets
06 (06) - 90.810 - Bluecoats
07 (07) - 90.410 - Santa Clara Vanguard
08 (09) - 87.520 - Glassmen
09 (08) - 87.420 - Blue Stars
10 (10) - 87.150 - Blue Knights
11 (11) - 86.360 - Boston Crusaders
12 (12) - 84.525 - Madison Scouts
13 (13) - 83.835 - Crossmen
14 (14) - 83.480 - Colts
15 (15) - 82.580 - Spirit
16 (17) - 80.705 - Troopers
17 (16) - 79.895 - Pacific Crest
18 (18) - 78.105 - The Academy
19 (19) - 77.305 - Mandarins
20 (20) - 74.060 - Pioneer
Pawlenty, named as possible running mate to presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, was responding to Obama's statement on Friday that he would support offshore drilling if it were the key to an energy policy compromise.It wasn't the challenge in Obama's policy that was surprising. I mean, since we are dealing with a floundering McCain campaign, desperation is expected, but it was this comment I found humorous:
"He's put so many contingencies around it that I wonder, in fact I question, whether he would do it at all," Pawlenty said after he helped open Republican campaign office in Ames. "It may be a way for him to gain favor during the election, and tube it later because all the contingencies weren't met."
He said a vote for Obama "is the political equivalent of bungee jumping."SInce we already know that a vote for McCain would be like continuing to beat your head against the wall, I guess I'd rather go bungee jumping.
Hey Dad just wanted to drop you a line and let you know I'm alive! Just got settled in out here in Iraq. Its not to bad. Pretty hot and the sand storms suck but other than that its not to bad.He is in for a 6 month stint. It will be a LONG 6 months for me.
It's been pretty quiet out here. In the few days I have been here I have heard nothing in the way of combat, explosions, and hardly any aircraft flying around. I am at Al Asad Airbase. its in the Anbar providence about 80 miles east of Iraq.
So whats new out there? how are the boys? Well keep in touch the more news i get the better lol, It gets pretty stagnant out here! Love you dad! later!
-Tom
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Exxon Mobil once again reported the largest quarterly profit in U.S. history Thursday, posting net income of $11.68 billion on revenue of $138 billion in the second quarter.Repeat $1,485.55 a second
That profit works out to NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Exxon Mobil once again reported the largest quarterly profit in U.S. history Thursday, posting net income of $11.68 billion on revenue of $138 billion in the second quarter.
That profit works out to $1,485.55 a second. .
Take this for what it's worth--and it may not be much--but a source well-connected in Minnesota politics (and in a position to know) is pretty sure Tim Pawlenty has pulled out of one or two events scheduled there for tomorrow. Assuming that's right, I guess it could mean any number of things: 1.) There was some random, non-veepstakes-related conflict that forced the change of schedule. 2.) McCain or his vetters intend to meet with Pawlenty tomorrow, possibly somewhere outside Minnesota. 3.) McCain intends to announce his veep pick tomorrow and has asked several short-listers to clear their schedules. 4.) McCain intends to announce Pawlenty as his running mate tomorrow.And then we have the other TNR:
A source tells me that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is John McCain's choice, and that the announcement is coming very soon.Youth and exuberance -vs- age and treachery, all on the same ticket.
We saw the big Brown sign again, and made the turn. Tucked away in the brush was a small brown sign pointing ahead, stating 3 miles . . . then it hit me. My lip began to quiver a bit, my eyes welled, and everything came back from that day in October almost 6 years ago. It seemed like the longest 3 miles of my life. I stared at the odometer watching the tenths tick . . . 2.6 . . . 2.7 . . . and than off to the side was a driveway of sorts, and a grouping of rocks. We were there already.
From the airy entrance there are two paths, one off to the right that takes you to within 2000 feet of the actual crash site, and one off to the left which takes you to a pair of circular paths, the inside tract has memorials to the passengers aboard, the outside is Paul's legacy trail. We opted to go right to begin.
The walk down the S-curved path was the most emotional for me. To have all of Paul's work and commitment come to mind, and have it gone in an instant seems so wrong on so many levels. Making the last curve, there is a T shaped viewing platform looking out into the distance. Benches set on the deck for those to sit and reflect.
We went back down to the main entrance, and back up the left trail to the memorial circle. You can see on the picture there is a stone at the end of the trail. This is Paul and Sheila's memorial stone.
Around memorial circle are large stones remembering each of the victims. The areas have a bench near each spot for reflection. As you can see at the base of Paul and Sheila's, many have left trinkets and other mementos. It was very moving. We took a moment to pause at each of the markers, as a sign of respect of those that lost their lives. It was quite sureal.
Finally we walked the outside path or Legacy Trail. Here are narratives describing Paul's life and legacy. From his beginning as a community organizer, to his membership in the United States Senate.
I do not hold Senator Wellstone up on some pedestal, he wouldn't want that and it just wasn't him. Paul was a regular folk who had a commitment to making this world a better place. He was not afraid to stand up for what he thought were wrongs, even though in some instances he stood alone. But there was a reason Paul was able to get those from across the aisle to vote for him, even when their ideals were at polar opposites. He had that knack that Sen. Obama pointed out to me when discussing his good friend, another Paul, Senator Paul Simon:He was one of these guys who had what would be considered a very liberal voting record. Yet he always did well in conservative areas. Nobody could ever figure out why accept for the fact that he had mastered the art of disagreeing without being disagreeable. I think that’s one thing that American politics generally would benefit from is being able to disagree, sometimes forcefully, without name calling and without viciousness.Disagreeing without being disagreeable. Now wouldn't that be nice.
The picture you see was my view for the last five days. Special thanks to good friend and occasional commenter 'Buhl' who hosted my family for our annual lakeside retreat. This quaint cottage on the shores of Lake Leander near Britt, MN, was a perfect get away for my wife, and two youngest boys. I look forward to our return next year, but was ready to come home.
On the way home, we made a brief stop just south of Eveleth. I wanted to have a visit with my late friend Paul. I'll talk about that visit tomorrow, with some pics. For now, here is what I saw when I first pulled into the memorial location (click to enlarge). The verse in the upper right corner states; "As the rescue crews were approaching the crash site, eagles were sighted soaring above . . ."
