If you were not able to watch it, I suggest you do. My favorite quotes from the interview:
“Obama and the country might be even better off in the next two years. Because, at least the Republicans will have one entity of government – that is the House of Representatives – for which they will be responsible to the American people, so they can’t be totally irresponsible the two years, as they have been the first two years”
“[President Obama] may well find a new elememt of freedom after the election is over when he has the ability to put forward a proporal that’s well-considered and say, ‘Will you choose bertween me or the ill-advised members of the House of Representatives who are under Republican leadership?”
It’s why he is considered one of our best ex-presidents!
Originally I had planned on ranting about all the negative things being said at the passing of Ted Stevens yesterday.
However after some deep reflection I decided to talk about the good things that I will always hold in my heart for the gentlemen I had the privilege of knowing.
The thing that I had been best known for was calling Ted a “caring gentleman” during a press conference. It still rings true for me now.
Ted was always a delightful host…whether at his office in Alaska, D.C. and especially when I had the privilege of being invited into his home.
Ted was always a dynamo…being half his age I was always impressed that I had to rush to keep up with him wherever he went. He was also always quick on the upkeep of current events too.
It was both fun and challenging to shoo out the bats in his home, then sharing cigars afterwards.
I remember when Ted and Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii held a panel for veterans issues and I was able to sit & listen to two longtime friends talk about their experiences as soldiers in World War II.
I remember being honored when I was contacted by Williams and Connolly LLP to be a witness in Ted’s defense. I was also humbled when someone bumped me out of the witness list…Gen. Colin Powell. His testimony was incredible and much better than I could have spoken to.
I remember the election, good friends, lots of laughs and celebrations in campaign headquarters on Fireweed as well as the Snow Goose and Egan Center downtown.
In my dealings with Ted, he always showed an unmatched level of courtesy and respect to myself and my friends…something I rarely from other politicians men.
To Catherine, Lily, Ben, Walter, Ted, Susan, and Beth my heart goes out to you all…he was a great man.
I can truly say that there are a very few people I call intelligent, concise and well spoken in the same sentence.
For Dave, his insights in many areas are always a breath of fresh air in a sea of people with self importance issues.
I am looking forward to his continued musings which in his own words say it best: ”I don’t bother to blog often, but when I do, it tends to raise an eyebrow or two…”
So hopefully you’ll enjoy his words as much as I do (say…that rhymed!).
I case you hadn’t heard, certain Comcast customers in Tucson, AZ go to watch more that the superbowl last night.
Can it really be called a “fluke” when the loosing team does an upset and all of a sudden there’s a switch to a video of a huge, flapping penis in the team’s home town?
As the story goes…just after Larry Fitzgerald’s heroic comeback touchdown for the Arizona Cardinals, the video feed abruptly switched to a scene from Comcast’s “Club Jenna Channel” treating viewers to the sight of some porn star swinging his schlong around insanely for a few seconds.
Comcast has stated that engineers are working tirelessly to figure out what happened, but haven’t yet come up with an explanation.
My money is that because it was in Arizona just after the upset, it’s more than a glitch or even human error. That just had to be deliberate (ala Fight Club).
So without further ado…here is the video. WARNING THIS VIDEO CONTAINS NUDITY AND STUPID PORN DIALOG!
It can be considered the end of a Dynasty. Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, wife of Gene Roddenberry – creator of Star Trek – and best known as “Nurse Chapel” in the original TV series has died at the age of 76.
To us “Trekkers” she was known as so many things….
-The female voice of the computer (in all of the series and movies…she was even able to complete the voice characterization for the new Star Trek film)
-The first officer in the original pilot – later redone in the series as The Menagerie
Lwaxana Troi in the Next Generation and Deep Space Nine
-Nurse Christina Chapel (later as Dr. Chapel in Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Voyage Home
Not many people knew her role in both the original series and later expansion of the ST universe. She was at one point hailed as “The First Lady of Trek.”
In my mind that is how I will always remember her.
In one respect it would have been so interesting to see her in the role as executive officer of the enterprise, however in 1966 the studio thougt that would be too much for the audience to consume (though bee hive hairdoos, bikini’s and mini skirts were OK).
In one respect that allowed the series to be what we know it now…a multicultural/multiracial crew exploring the stars for the betterment of humanity, creating the modern mithos that is Star Trek.
We will miss you as much as we do Gene. I was always awed at how you and Gene always made us dreamy eyed fans feel special whenever we were around.
If you’re like me, the debates and campaign ads haven’t really told you anything about the candidates (except that they both love posturing).
And unless you know where to look like the Tax Policy Center’s Presenditial Analysis (http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/publications/url.cfm?ID=411749), which is updated pretty regularly you may not be able to find out the details about either candidate to get a real perspective.
I can’t really validate the site or it’s information (other than when I look up the information, it seems to jive) and the site is owned by some people from the Czech Republic…which does give me pause, it’s still a good place to review both candidates in an easy to read format.
So unless I find something glaring, I will condsider it a good site.
I have to thank my girlfriend Lynn for finding this site.
Obama’s VP pick: A triumph of no-change politics I’ve been sitting around wondering why neither Obama or McClain have come forward with their choices for Vice President. With Obama, we now know why. I mean, just what kind of CHANGE will his “Longtime Washington Insider” running mate bring to the ticket?!? I mean, isn’t it kinda scary that McCain, Rice and other republicans are feeling positive about the Democratic VP nominee? Maybe it’s just me. Now I’ll wait to see who McCain picked this Friday. His birthday gift to himself (at 72, what else do you get yourself?).
Congratulations to Al Gore for his winning the Nobel Peace Prize (http://edition.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/12/nobel.gore/). Since his concession seven years ago to GW, Al has seen some successes as a statesman for the world.
So…now there a call for him to step up and run for office, the call is so loud that there is even a campaign called Draft Gore where you can sign a petition being sent to him to please run.
I have to tell you…had Al Gore run earlier, I’d have actually considered a democratic candidate! He is a very well educated man who, unfortunately, was the second banana to one of the most charismatic presidents in modern history (I mean how do you outshine the saxophone playing, womanizing boss that seems to be loved by everyone?) so even with his accomplishments he is unfortunately only remembered for the comment that he “invented the internet” (which by the by was actually false – http://web.archive.org/web/20001027190912/http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,39301,00.html). Nothing was attributed to him, even the things he did do.
And Al would have been a HELL of a candidate…he was against the war, he was correct about the current economic crisis, world crisis (particularly North Korea and yes…he talked about turmoil in the Middle East – though it was about Iran and Israel, which would have probably happened had we did not invaded Iraq), and so on.
However, now is NOT the time for him to enter the race.
And I’m sorry…you can’t use the Fred Thompson argument. Fred was toying with the idea from the outset…using his hesitation as a weapon against the other candidates.
We’re less than 12 weeks from Iowa, and Al has not raised any money (hell…Ron Paul has more campaign funds) and there simply isn’t anything he can bring to the table except notoriety. At this point his climb would be astronomical. Where would he campaign? Where does he really stand on issues of health care and so forth? What would his plan be to accomplish his plan?
Can Al Gore help America? Absolutely! Ambassador Al Gore or better yet Secretary Of Energy Al Gore!!!
There are so many things he can do for us and the world and now in his real “hour of power” running for President would truly hold him back.
To those wanting him to run for office, let it go. Draft Gore to be the savior of America’s FAILED energy policy.
With their approval ratings closely matching GW, why in the HELL do they think that Americans will somehow see these wastes of taxpayers money to be anything more than the farces they are?
The fact that these resolutions are non-binding has caused many supporters to tout that there is no harm being done, and that these resolutions simply serve to send a message to the President that Congress disapproves of his handling of things, and will be watching him closely from here on out.
Watching him…wow.
This is pure politics at its very worst. These are nothing more than political moves wasting our time and tax money so that these politicians can get some limelight.
There are many so many serious issues – the mortgage implosion, increased unemployment, deflated dollar, more manufacturing plants shut down – and while the Iraq war is one of them these exercises are not helping to fix any of those issues.
This is just another part of the Democrats (Liberals) limp strategy to destroy the president and keep the fires of hated for Republicans burning at teh expense of our beloved Republic. They will do this all the way to 2008 elections in hopes of getting a Democratic president, and complete democratic control.
What they are forgetting is that using the “everything is Bush’s fault” will only go so far…and the pier is coming to a swift and abrupt end.
With the current roster of candidates (from all sides), the ridiculous shit coming from capitol hill – i.e. the condemnation of moveon.org’s ad against General Petraeus (a clear use of the first amendment) which hadcandidates like Joe Biden and Barack Obama both leave the senate floor when this hit – how can these politician really believe that Americans will stand behind them?
I guess I’m wanting too much from my elected officials….
Posting from Twitter...Correct date for Karl's Celebration of Life is June 23, not July. All times previously posted are correct. http://twitter.com/hogbiker2011/06/21
Karl was not actually around a corner from anyone at time of death, according to an eyewitness. http://twitter.com/hogbiker2011/06/20
Karl was on foot in Haines, went around the side of a building for some privacy and never came back. He was found on the ground. http://twitter.com/hogbiker2011/06/16
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It can be considered the end of a Dynasty. Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, wife of Gene Roddenberry – creator of Star Trek – and best known as “Nurse Chapel” in the original TV series has died at the age of 76.
