van Palin: Best Pick Evah!

The Fix shares what most of us knew all along:

The trouble began late last week with what was widely seen as a disastrous Palin interview with CBS News anchor Katie Couric in which the vice presidential nominee was barely intelligible on relatively basic questions of foreign policy.
. . .
That "performance" was -- luckily for the McCain campaign -- largely drowned out by coverage of the ongoing fight on Capitol Hill over the bailout of the country's financial institutions.

Like Linda said in the comments of this post

What really made the SNL skit so hysterically funny, was that much of the script was taken straight from what Palin said verbatim

Oh, but it gets better. Parker over at Offical ScaifeNet Headquarters:

Parker added -- more cuttingly:

"If Palin were a man, we'd all be guffawing, just as we do every time Joe Biden tickles the back of his throat with his toes. But because she's a woman -- and the first ever on a Republican presidential ticket -- we are reluctant to say what is painfully true."

There;s is more, so much more at The Fix.

I can't wait till Thursday, I already have the popcorn ready and a full keg of beer. I hope it last thought the whole debate . . . the beer, npot the popcorn *laughing*

Flash

Palin/Couric Interview, Part IV

In case you missed it, it was pure gold!


I'm not sure what's left to debate come Thursday. The Governor has fixed the economic crisis and solidified ties with Iran, Pakistan, North Korea and Russia. I guess we could just sit around and talk about taxes. Either way, I'll be in the garage . . . playing the VP Debate Drinking game.

Flash

Dear Zygi; RE: Vikings Floundering

Dear Zygi:

How are things at the ole playground. I know it can get a bit frustrating when you have all this talent and no one that can bring out the best in it. Kind of like having a HEMI in your truck, and trying to run it on water instead of Gas.

So, here's a thought. Brian Billick is still available and Scott Linehan was recently released. Maybe it's time to shake things up before it is too late. I mean, seriously, could you do any worse!?

WhatDoYaThink?

Forever Bleeding Purple,

Flash

(Yes, I did send this via E-Mail to both Zygi and his son, Mark)

The Bailout

My gut says no to the $700,000,000,000 monstrosity - (PDF), but I don't know enough about the nitty gritty to make a commitment one way or another. Today I am going to try to learn as much as possible about the deal. Your job is to tell me one thing you think is very bad, and one thing that is urgently needed, that is in the bill.

CNN has a nice Bailout Tracker to keep us updated.

Your help is appreciated.

Flash

Puppy Blogging; Twins Edition

Kurly and I are watching the Twins pick their way to another American League Central Title.I got Curly for my wife the Valentine's Day of 2006, just before Kirby Puckett died. I tried to talk her into changing his name to Kirby, without much luck. I did, however, get her to compromise and adjust the spelling of his name to Kurly. She even went down to the Vet to change the medical paperwork and get a new name tag, While I went back and corrected blog posts..

So that is the story of Kurly's name.

Soon we'll go out to the garage to enjoy the end of the tilt. Kurly has his own chair and patiently waits for garage treats to get tossed his way. I'll put a garage pic up later.

Flash

UPDATE: Bottom of the 9th, down by 2. The only saving grace is the White Sox gave up a tater already in their game. Here is the Garage Pic I promised. Kurly so proud in his chair.

Paul Newman; 1925 - 2008

When it was announced that Newman had cancer back in June, deep down I really hoped he would beat it. He has always been a fight and never back down from a challenge. Yesterday, the cancer won:

Paul Newman, the legendary actor whose steely blue eyes, good-humored charm and advocacy of worthy causes made him one of the most renowned figures in American arts, has died of cancer at his home in Westport, Connecticut. He was 83.

He died Friday, according to spokeswoman Marni Tomljanovic.

Newman attained stardom in the 1950s and never lost the movie-star aura, appearing in such classic films as "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Exodus," "The Hustler," "Cool Hand Luke," "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "The Sting" and "The Verdict."

He finally won an Oscar in 1986 -- on his eighth try -- for "The Color of Money," a sequel to "The Hustler." He later received two more Oscar nominations. Among his other awards was the Motion Picture Academy's Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

Newman was a Method-trained actor who blazed his own career trail and didn't shy away from risky roles -- inside and outside films.

The list is extensive, and the aforementioned films barely touch the scope of this great performer.

But he will be remembered by me for his stellar performance in the original The Hustler, taking on Minnesota Fats (played by Jackie Gleason) and the post egg eating belly thumping in Cool Hand Luke.
Other favorites include "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "The Sting" and his amazing and stellar performance in "The Verdict."

Rest in Peace Mr. Newman, you will be remembered fondly by those you have left behind. No I need to go find a copy of The Hustler to watch in his honor.

Flash

Closed Circuit to GiGi: I am sending you a hug, I know Paul was one of your favorites!!

McCain Folds Like a Blanket

As predicted, I mean, really, he had no choice:

OXFORD, Mississippi (CNN) -- Sen. John McCain will attend the first presidential debate as planned Friday night, his campaign announced.

McCain said earlier this week he would not attend the debate if an agreement had not been reached on a $700 billion bailout plan for Wall Street.

The outcome was up in the air Friday as lawmakers scrambled to agree on a plan.

But by midday, McCain's campaign said the Republican presidential nominee believed enough progress had been made for him to travel to Mississippi to participate in the debate, set for 9 p.m. ET at the University of Mississippi campus.

Translated, the hit they would take by having a cut out appear in his place was greater than the flip flop on a very poorly planned strategic and politically pandering move.

Seems this campaign has been all about pandering starting with the van Palin pick. Tonight we'll see what elese they have up their sleeve. We know they have already declared victory in the Debate that hasn't even happened yet:

John McCain has apparently already won it -- if you believe an Internet ad an astute reader spotted next to this piece in the online edition of the Wall Street Journal this morning.

Screenshot here.

And they talk about Obama being presumptuous! It does, however, show their hand in that they never seriously planned on skipping the debate.

The Debate Shell Game

I had a great Cartoon for today, but with the debate itself up in the air, it isn't quite as appropriate.

Now, we all knew this week was going to be the 'Lowering Expectations Game', and Sen McCain has taken it to the extreme. Listen, I can't imagine this debate not happening and Sen. McCain allowing Sen Obama to have the stage all to himself. Seriously, that is exactly what will happen, so McCain will be there. But any flub, miss step, miscue, et al. will be written off as limited prep time.

Personally, if I can put on my conspiracy hat for just a moment (No, Tom, it isn't surgically attached *laughing*) I think this was a ploy to delay this debate so it could be replaced with the VP one, thereby sparing Governor Duck n Cover from her tilt with her Democratic counterpart. But we know McCain would NEVER play politics and the time of crisis.

OK, here's the cartoon anyway!


Maybe more later.

Flash

UPDATE: Seems my conspiracy theory was pretty spot on:

McCain supporter Sen. Lindsey Graham tells CNN the McCain campaign is proposing to the Presidential Debate Commission and the Obama camp that if there's no bailout deal by Friday, the first presidential debate should take the place of the VP debate, currently scheduled for next Thursday, October 2 in St. Louis.

McCain isn't showing everyone that he is unprepared to debate, he is showing them, definitively, he is simply not prepared to be President, and all the multiple tasks that go with that job. McCain took some bad advice and dug himself a big whole, with no ramp to get out via.

Obama will be in Mississippi tonight, and McCain will be best served to be there as well. It is the least damaging of options he has left. A no show will all but destroy his candidacy.

Magic Number 4; Three Games Left

Great comeback, fantastic post season type atmosphere.

Twins are now up by 1/2 game with three left against KC.

The White Sox have a three game tilt with the Tribe, followed by a make up game with the Tigers on the 29th.

This is very doable, folks!

Flash -- Just trying to extend the Summer one day at a time!

Chew and Walk Gum

Seriously, Sen. John McCain definitively showed yesterday that he does NOT have what it takes to be President. He quite frankly admitted yesterday that he simply can not juggle more than one ball at the same time. Not a trait I want to find in our next President.

Sen Obama showed true leadership by his initial call at 8:30 AM to reach out and resolved this situation in a mutually beneficial way. All McCain did was steal the idea and try to make it his own. He went from being a follower to a fibber,

Then last night, we get President Bush's malaise speech.

"our entire economy is in danger,"

"We're in the midst of a serious financial crisis"

"The market is not functioning properly. There has been a widespread loss of confidence."

"America could slip into a financial panic and a distressing scenario would unfold."

"Even if you have good credit history, it would be more difficult for you to get the loans you need to buy a car or send your children to college. And, ultimately, our country could experience a long and painful recession." (ed- I just bought a vehicle, Tuesday at 3.9%. Painless and uneventful transaction. So I am not sure what he is talking about)

I tell ya, if there was any doubt the Right Wing of the Right Wing party was running scared, yesterday events resolved all doubt.

I'll leave you with a bit of lyrics from one of my favorite bands, Pablo Cruise from their song 'Running':

Running will get you no where when you're runnin' away . . . where are ya goin' . . . . talking goes no where when you ain't go nothing to say, who are you foolin'

Flash
(I'm out on a field trip the rest of the day, so have at it but try to be gentle *grin*)

Late Night Fix

The Letterman crew nails it. Boys was I in stitches:

George W Bush Ideas for Fixing the Economy

10) Why fix it if it ain't broke

9) Drill Arctic National Wildlife refuge for loose change

8) Sell cupcakes in front of the White House

7) Flip all them charts upside down (ed- My Favorite)

6) Encourage Americans to spend more -- if they don't, Cheney peppers them in the face

5) Most things seem better after a half bottle of Jim Beam

4) Let's just say the Lincoln Memorial is now the Tostitos Lincoln Memorial

3) Invent a car that runs on root beer. COme on, wehave an unlimited supply of root beer and we make it here iin American. Am I the only one thinking?

2) Put on a pair of glasses and shoot moose.

. . . and the #1 George W Bush idea for Fixing the Economy

1) Is Hillary still available for a 3:00 AM phone call!

Finger Pointing

There is more than enough blame to go around during this 'correction' of our markets. But the people, by 2:1, place most of it on the Right:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- By a 2-to-1 ratio, Americans blame Republicans over Democrats for the financial crisis that has swept across the country the past few weeks, a new national poll suggests.

That may be contributing to better poll numbers for Sen. Barack Obama against Sen. John McCain in the race for the White House.

In a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey out Monday afternoon, 47 percent of registered voters questioned said Republicans are more responsible for the problems currently facing financial institutions and the stock market; only 24 percent said Democrats are more responsible.

Personally, I don't think that is fair. Members of both sides of the aisle scuttled away opportunities to catch the economy before it went into complete and total free fall. Because of those decisions the country will need to take its lumps.

One thing we do know, is tax gifts to the rich don't work during troubled times, especially during times of war. They may be an effective strategy for short term reinvestment into capital in peace time if a recession is looming, but that isn't what happened with the Bush Gifts. The money was invested into the market to enhance personal wealth, creating an over valued market that has now virtually collapsed. The money that was suppose to be re-invested in the people was reinvested in self, and now everyone is losing.

So lets be clear, there is plenty of blame to go around, and regardless of what we think, the electorate gets to decide A) Who is responsible, and B) who they want to fix it!

Flash

UPDATE: A Senatorial candidate actually behaving . . Senatorial!!

Franken announced that he would only support a bailout plan if it adhered to these principles:

1. No blank check. “Not one dime should go to this bailout without independent oversight, real accountability, and complete transparency.”

2. Taxpayers get a stake. “If we’re footing the bill for keeping these companies afloat, taxpayers should get an equity stake so that we can share in the benefits when and if they get back on their feet.”

3. No golden parachutes. “In the public sector, there’s no such thing as a golden parachute. And if we’re going to sacrifice $2,000 for every Minnesota taxpayer to bail out these companies, these executives are going to learn about sacrifice, too. So, all excessive compensation, bonuses, and severance agreements are hereby cancelled.”

4. Bring back oversight. “We need to restore the regulatory framework dismantled with George W. Bush in the White House and Norm Coleman in the Senate so that this doesn’t happen again.”

5. Help homeowners. “The foreclosure crisis caused this problem, and we still haven’t taken the steps I’ve been proposing for months to address it. We have to freeze foreclosures and allow bankruptcy judges to re-set mortgages on primary residences.”

6. Protect consumers. “I’m calling for a new Financial Products Safety Commission with similar duties and powers to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.”

MN Still Presidential Toss Up

Don't mind my MDE type spin, I couldn't help it!

Right leaning Republican Pollster has the race all knotted up:

In Minnesota, Barack Obama has opened an eight-point lead over John McCain.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Minnesota voters finds Obama attracting 52% of the vote while McCain earns 44%

Oh, and you gotta love this one:

Obama is now viewed favorably by 64% of Minnesota voters, McCain by 52%. That’s quite a change from August when McCain drew the higher ratings.

And there is a reason that Coleman is running scared as well. Ole Senator Rubber stamp's best friend is struggling even worse then before.

President Bush’s job performance ratings have fallen this month in Minnesota. Now, just 27% rate his performance good or excellent, compared to 33% a month ago. Fifty-four percent (54%) say he is doing a poor job.

Later today a MN Senate poll will be released, but they already hint at those results:

The Senate race in Minnesota between incumbent Republican Norm Coleman and Democratic challenger Al Franken remains a toss-up.

I can only presume that is a fore shadow to the release of their numbers later today, since the polling was done at the same time.

However, don't fret my GOP brethren, MN is a toss up! Get out there and spend spend spend your time and money here. Make sure McCain visits as often as possible. We like keeping you guys busy . . chasing your tail!

Flash

UPDATE: MN Senate still within margin of error:

Republican incumbent Norm Coleman has inched ahead of Al Franken in Minnesota’s hotly contested U.S. Senate race, with the introduction of a third-party candidate having virtually no impact on the contest so far.

Coleman, who is seeking a second term in the Senate, is ahead of Franken, a TV comedy writer and longtime Democratic activist, by a statistically insignificant one percentage point, 48% to 47%, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of voters in the state.

Last month Coleman and Franken were tied at 45% each.

Coleman has been under the 50% level of support in eight-out-of-nine polls conducted this year, always a sign an incumbent is potentially vulnerable. He was first elected to the Senate six years ago, with just under 50% of the vote.

MBI FFL Week 3

I am three weeks into my first official foray back to Fantasy Football. It wasn't that long ago I was in two leagues, running one. But a few years back, with the kids becoming teenagers, I needed to move most everything off my plate. Now, I am taking small bites back, FFL being another chomp.

Last year I inherited a team, and it took me four weeks of wheeling and dealing to re-assemble a club that could win, but it was too little to late. This year I drafted my own team, and after a couple adjustments, I am 1 - 1 and ready to make my playoff run. Here is this weeks match up.

GO OPTIMATOR!
(click to enlarge)



I will probably be venturing to the Happy Gnome's Scotch and Whiskey Fest (complete with Cigar tent) after the game. Stop by if you are in the 'hood!

Flash

Quie on TPaw

On Sunday's, I do it the old fashioned way, I sort through the dead tree and go through it from cover to cover. What I found in today's 'Opinion' section was intriguing:

"I would wish for Tim a time at the end of his governorship when he would not be running again," said the state's 35th governor about the 39th. "That way, you can totally divorce yourself from politics" and focus on the good of the state.

Hmmmm, do you think TPaw may even be leaning this way. Is there a chance he may declare, soon after November, his own lame duckness and strive for repairing the damage he has done without the burden of a Right wing base pulling his puppet strings?

Quie understood those realities back in the 80's:

By the start of 1982, state revenues had dropped roughly 15 percent. School, city, county and state agency budgets were in tatters because of repeated cuts.

Quie, a fiscal conservative (though not of the no-new-taxes variety) had already swallowed a sales-tax increase.

The bleeding wouldn't stop. So in January 1982, Quie allowed a temporary income-tax surcharge to become law without his signature. And, on Jan. 25, he announced that he would not run again.

Recall the last time a Republican in this state . . . actually put the state first instead of their own political future. Now THAT's leadership!

Then he lays out the simple math that those of us that truly understand how things work, knew all along:

Before Quie left office a year later, more spending was cut and the income-tax surcharge grew. The economy improved. ("Don't wait until completely out of recession to increase taxes," Quie advises his successors. "People start thinking you can get along without that money. That's not good. The state has a responsibility to carry out the work society has given it. The longer you delay, the more damage you do to that work.")

By the time Gov. Rudy Perpich closed the books on fiscal 1983, the state was $500 million in the black. The surcharge disappeared, and government was stable until the next recession struck.

Now, you can't tax your way out of a recession, but a vulnerable state (and especially Federal) treasury can be as damaging, if not more so, to the fundamentals of the economy, than an increase in investment from those who can sustain the hit the best.

Look, I don't propose we raise taxes, and I don't propose we extend the tax gifts to the rich, but I am one of the many realists that believe everything should be on the table when entering good faith negotiations. Those that feel it is acceptable to immediately declare non negotiable revenue enhancements or decreases are not acting in good faith. And I will not vote for someone who has shown they will not act in good faith. That pretty much rules out anyone carrying the Republican brand, along with a handful of Democratic candidates as well.

Flash

Shortening

Regardless of the market situation, a broker, or market gambler can make money either way. In a short sell, you find someone that will 'borrow' you their stock and then YOU sell it (ie $10.00). You are betting the price will drop, so, after a period of time passes, you buy the stock back ($8.00) at the lower price, and return that stock to the original owner. In the example, you make $2.00. Bonus, huh! Not anymore:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission took what it called "emergency action" Friday and temporarily banned investors from short-selling 799 financial companies.

The temporary ban, aimed at helping restore falling stock prices that have shattered confidence in the financial markets, takes effect immediately.

"This will absolutely make a difference," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economists at Avalon Partners. "Short sellers are going to have to cover their positions very heavily."

Short sellers borrow stock with the aim of selling it, then buy it back at a lower price, hoping to pocket the difference. The commission said short sellers add liquidity to the markets during normal conditions, but recent unbridled short-selling has contributed to the recent tailspin in the stock market.

I can appreciate the attempt to control the wild fluctuations during this correction, but I hope this 'temporary' fix is a very limited one. The longer you mess with the market, the harder it will be for it to recover on its own. Eventually, the leash will have to be taken off again, and the longer it is on said leash, the more difficult the transition will be.

Flash

ROCKtoberfest

ROCKtoberfest is this evening.

Rocktoberfest Kickoff!
Join Brewer Bryon Tonnis on Thursday, September 18 as we kick off another Oktoberfest season with the tapping of our Rocktoberfest Marzen Bier at 6pm. Stop by for a complimentary pint and “toast the fest” with Rock Bottom…PROST!

The lovely Mrs. Flash and I will be traveling via bicycle to DTown Mpls for the festivities. A most yummy German styla Marzen will be tapped. I suspect some Oompa Loompa band will be there. If you are in the neighborhood, stop down to 9th and Hennepin. Tapping is at 6:00, we should be there by 5:00.

Flash

Human Ingenuity at its Finest

The Bridge is Open:

Traffic is moving across the new 35W bridge that opened at 5 a.m.

The procession was led by representatives of agencies that were the first responders in the bridge collapse: fire, police, Hennepin County and North Memorial. They were followed by MnDOT trucks with sturdy, wide bumpers that kept drivers in line. The procession rarely went over 10 mph.

A part of the Twin Cities is whole again, but lest not forget those the most effected:

For more than a year, Andy Gannon has lived with the image of the Interstate 35W bridge heaving and tossing cars as it crashed into the Mississippi River and dropped out from under him.

With the 10 lanes of the gleaming new span set to open to regular traffic this morning, Gannon is eager to drive himself over it. He knows in his head that the bridge is safe, but he feels a strong need to physically prove to himself that he can trust it.

Unfortunately, the parkway isn't ready yet:

The Minnesota Department of Transportation had said the freeway bridge and the parkway would open at the same time. But MnDOT spokesman Kevin Gutknecht said Tuesday that the parkway needed more paving and would reopen a few days later than planned.

Paths along the parkway will open when the road does, he said.

I guess our trip to Rock tonight will bee along the normal route. The Grand Rounds trail will have to wait for another day.

Flash

Sherry Engebretsen
Artemio Trinidad-Mena
Julia Blackhawk
Patrick Holmes
Peter Hausmann
Paul Eickstadt
Greg Jolstad
Scott Sathers
Christina Sacorafas
Sadiya Sahal
Hanah Sahal
Vera Peck
Richard Chit

UPDATE: CNN has more!

Back to the Future Past

DOW Closing 5/2/2008 -- 13,058

DOW Closing 9/17/2008 -- 10,610

Total Drop --> - 2,448 points

Percentage Drop --> NEGATIVE 18.75%

==

DOW Closing the day after President George W Bush's first inauguration

1/22/01 -- >> 10,578

Just sayin'

Flash

Dumping

via Cagle: