parentalcation

Not a good sign

2009-10-02T01:47:00.003-04:00

It can't be a good sign when your kids math homework regularly requires them to write more sentences than numbers. Just saying...

Everyday Hell

2009-09-30T01:04:00.001-04:00

So my kids are getting deeper and deeper into Everyday Math. It seems like every day I have google some new algorithm in order to help my totally confused kids.

Yesterday, we learned all about Partial Differences.

Of course today, when my daughter had to go back to the standard algorithm she was completely confused, and started mixing up the two methods.

One step forward, two steps back.

Final Wrap-Up

2009-05-22T20:50:00.002-04:00

I know the phrase "wrap-up" is probably wrong considering the sparse posting I have done lately, but here it is anyway.

8th grade girl - Straight A's - Honors classes next year in High School

5th grade boy - Straight A's - Scored 600 our of 600 on the Math SBA (NCLB test) - Taking pre-algebra at the local middle school next year.

5th grade girl - A's and B's - Scored advanced on math SBA's

3rd grade girl - Improved 2 grade levels on reading in a single year - Scored advanced in reading and math - Definately gets the "Most Improved" title

3 year old - Can count to 10 - Can say her ABC's - Thinking about starting her on 100 Easy Lessons to read next year

Soon to be born girl (Octoberish) - Trying to decide on a cool old school name - Kicks pretty well

Test

2009-04-03T02:45:00.000-04:00

Ing

Straight A's

2009-04-01T20:47:00.003-04:00

Yey! I got two A's in college courses, despite being TDY (traveling) every other week during the entire session, and basically hacking the final projects and papers in a few hours on the day they were due.

Four classes to go to get my Bachelor's degree!

I am taking the next 6 week session off though. I think I am going to do one class at a time starting in the summer, finishing up sometime in October.

Time to start looking at graduate degrees. I am thinking about accounting.

Volcano update... and stimulus dollars

2009-03-23T23:28:00.002-04:00

The wind was with us... no ash here in Anchorage.

On education funding, Palin, and Alaska.

I am of mixed emotions regarding the possibly rejected education stimulus funding.

On one had, it just seems silly to turn down free money.

On the other hand, for a few years now, I have been utterly convinced that the secret to improving our education system is curriculum reform, not more money. I am also sort of sceptical about whether the school districts will be able to go cold turkey in two years once the money runs out.

For example, let's say the funds go to free after school tutoring for disadvantaged kids... great idea, but expensive. In two years, once the money runs out, is Alaska just meant to turn of the spigot?

Too bad we couldn't take the money, spend it all on building brand new insulated fuel efficient schools, and set ourselves up for less spending over the next 10 - 15 years.

Strings attached, blah, blah, blah...

Mt Redoubt Eruption...

2009-03-23T03:55:00.002-04:00

Regularly scheduled blogging will be suspended due to volcano eruption...

Unfortunately, the ash looks like it's heading for Anchorage. Going to make things nasty here for a while.

Kid Update

2009-03-21T13:41:00.001-04:00

Collectively my three kids in 5th and 8th grade earned 14 A's and 4 B's.

My 3rd grader doesn't get grades, only S's and O's. She is still struggling with reading, but was recently diagnosed with ADD. Supposedly a classic case. She is now on a mild medication that is will supposedly help her "focus" during the day. We will see.

Palin screws the pooch...

2009-03-20T01:06:00.004-04:00

ADN: Palin rejects over 30% of stimulus money By SEAN COCKERHAM and ERIKA BOLSTAD

The biggest single chunk of money Palin is turning down is about $170 million for education, including money that would go for programs to help economically disadvantaged and special needs students. Anchorage School Superintendent Carol Comeau said she is "shocked and very disappointed" that Palin would reject the money.

Anchorage Democratic Rep. Les Gara suggested that Palin is pandering to voters outside Alaska to further her own political ambitions.

"I'm worried the governor is taking this sort of national political stance which is that she's going to be the opposite of Barack Obama on everything," he said. ," he said.

Got to agree here. Always take free money.

It's silly to worry about the money being taken away in a few years... when was the last time the government got rid of spending...

She is trying to be a Sanford wannabe.

Almost forgot...

2009-03-18T23:33:00.002-04:00

My wife is preggers again... baby #6 on the way.

Cuz we just can't get enough of the struggle...

I will confess that with 4 girls and only 1 boy, I am chucking traditional political correctness and openly advocating for a boy.

None of that "I'll be happy no matter what" malarkey here.

I can't take anymore estrogen.

Anchorage Daily News Misguide Editorial

2009-03-18T21:00:00.002-04:00

The Anchorage Daily News has an opinion piece advocating supporting "Pre-K" funding by the Feds and the State.

They make all the usual argument's.

Wrong as usual.

Blatantly ignoring policy

2009-03-17T21:41:00.002-04:00

Shhhh... off the record

Un-named teacher at un-named school in un-named grade confesses that they:

- ignores a lot of Everyday Maths curriculum.

- use the "alternate" methods algorithms to demonstrate how the old ones are better

Rory out...

I'm back and I'm mad

2009-03-17T10:27:00.001-04:00

Despite promises to the contrary, I just found out that my kids elementary school is implimenting Everyday Math in all grades next year. They had told me that Everyday Math would be implimented only in 1st grade then progress up the grades.

Do you get the feeling...

2009-02-12T05:08:00.002-04:00

Do you get the feeling that Congress and Economists need to take less economic courses and more accounting classes?

I wish Sarah Palin had never ran...

2009-02-06T23:50:00.002-04:00

I'm a news junky, and I like to read the comments, but ever since Sarah Palin ran for VP, the comments section over at the Anchorage Daily News have been unbearable.

Seriously, the paper has been invaded by lower 48 trolls who seem to comment on almost every single story, blaming Sarah Palin for the ills of the world... even things that she has absolutely nothing to do with.

It's really taken the fun out of reading the comments.

p.s. Obama had been pretty impressive until this whole fiscal stimulus waste of money package.

What a DH

2009-01-29T11:31:00.002-04:00

Great article on MSNBC / The New York Times on the different "styles" of Obama and Bush.

This bit caught my eye:

“I’ll never forget going to work on a Saturday morning, getting called down to the Oval Office because there was something he was mad about,” said Dan Bartlett, who was counselor to Mr. Bush. “I had on khakis and a buttoned-down shirt, and I had to stand by the door and get chewed out for about 15 minutes. He wouldn’t even let me cross the threshold.”

Seriously. What a dickhead. No wonder he screwed everything up.

Wow...

2009-01-29T02:24:00.002-04:00

Wow... it's been a while since I posted. Christmas, work, school, life, etc...

I'm not dead, not been sent off to the desert, just lazy.

I resolve to post more often.

Ok, that's it.

What did you expect? I'm out of practice with this blogging thing.

Here's a thought...

2008-12-16T01:34:00.003-04:00

Here's a thought.

President-elect Obama chose not to send his kids to Chicago Public Schools, and then chose the head of the Chicago Public School District to be his education secretary.

Reminds me of that old saying...

What's not good enough for me, is good enough for everybody else.

Or something like that.

I blame housing porn...

2008-12-07T22:27:00.003-04:00

I don't want to get in to what caused the economic crisis. It's all complicated and controversial.

What most people can agree on, is that the underpinnings were built on a housing bubble. Some blame Fannie and Freddie, some blame deregulation that led to lax lending standards.

Me... I blame housing porn. I blame all those flip this, flip that, moving up, real estate pro's, trash T.V., etc...

Now I have a confession to make. I was addicted to them. Whenever I had a few moments to watch T.V., I could always count on one of these housing porn shows to entertain me.

It got so bad, that my wife came to hate the word "pop". As in, wow this room really "pops".

I'm a cynic. I don't believe anything. Yet, I fell for all the housing propaganda. I can see what happened in the rest of the country. Mass hysteria.

Silly.

Media: there is no "foreclosure problem"

2008-12-04T17:50:00.003-04:00

While I was driving today, I was listening to a radio show talk about the "foreclosure problem."

There is no "foreclosure problem", there is a "people bought more house than they can afford problem."

Got it?

I don't give a crap

2008-12-04T03:56:00.000-04:00

Rhee Tackles Classroom Challenge -- Printout -- TIME:

Michelle Rhee:

"I don't give a crap.' Don't get me wrong. Creativity is good and whatever. But if the children don't know how to read, I don't care how creative you are. You're not doing your job."

I think I love her.

Via that Russo guy.

P.S. Start selling...

2008-11-25T01:57:00.002-04:00

Assuming you took my earlier advice... take your profits now... dead cat bouncing.

Cuz I'm smart like that...

2008-11-25T01:50:00.002-04:00

I totally kicked ass on this Americans Civics quiz.

Supposedly, college educators averaged 55%.

While I scored a totally rocking 87.88% (29 out of 33), and I don't even have a degree.

Via Kevin Drum

Told you so...

2008-11-21T00:47:00.002-04:00

Dow Jones falls 444 points to 7552.

Like I said...

False bounce. The DJI isn't finished diving. I predict a low of 7500 +/- 200.

Got cash... start buying.

Experts: Lack of playtime is hurting children - Kids and parenting- msnbc.com

2008-11-18T23:34:00.002-04:00

Experts: Lack of playtime is hurting children - Kids and parenting- msnbc.com:

Without ample opportunity for forms of play that foster innovation and creative thinking, she argues, America’s children will be at a disadvantage in the global economy.

“Play equals learning,” she said. “For too long we have divorced the two.”

Some of the factors behind diminished play time have been evolving for decades, others are more recent. Added together, they have resulted in eight to 12 fewer hours of free play time per week for the average American child since the 1980s, experts say.

Among the key factors, according to Thompson:
Parents’ reluctance to let their kids play outside on their own, for fear of abduction or injury, and the companion trend of scheduling lessons, supervised sports and other structured activities that consume a large chunk of a child’s non-school hours.
More hours per week spent by kids watching TV, playing video games, using the Internet, communicating on cell phones.
Shortening or eliminating recess at many schools — a trend so pronounced that the National PTA has launched a “Rescuing Recess” campaign.
More emphasis on formal learning in preschool, more homework for elementary school students and more pressure from parents on young children to quickly acquire academic skills.

TFT gets it right

2008-11-18T02:33:00.002-04:00

The Frustrated Teacher get's it right in the comments...

"I mentioned in another post here that I have zero expectations when it comes to how I teach. I assume the kids in my class have unconcerned, uneducated, too busy, drug addicted parents. That way I am sure to cover all that needs to be covered, aside from reading writing and arithmetic.

He is wrong about everything else (wink), so I figured I'd give him props for this.

Strange traffic

2008-11-18T02:08:00.002-04:00

I checked my stats today and noticed a strange spike in traffic last week. This usually means someone linked to me, but I have no idea who, and my poor mans counter only has the last 100 visit history.

Strange.

Inappropriate story

2008-11-17T22:45:00.002-04:00

My 3rd grader has a sleepover this weekend, where they told ghost stories.

At school today her assignment she had to write a story.

She chose to write a story called "Bloody Mary".

"we practice math and language arts"

2008-11-12T04:19:00.003-04:00

Los Angeles Times: Charters lead state's traditional schools in achievement for poor children, survey finds

According to The Frustrated Teacher, charter schools do better because they are selective.

Ben Chavis, who took over American Indian Public Charter in 2001, when it was struggling academically and in danger of losing its charter, said there was no mystery to his schools' success. It begins, he said, with at least 90 minutes a day of math and English, and a no-nonsense approach.

"These poor kids are doing well because we practice math and language arts," he said. "That's it. It's simple."

Anchorage School District Hits the Hump

2008-11-11T15:22:00.005-04:00

Anchorage Daily News: Test scores decline in Anchorage schools by MEGAN HOLLAND

ANNUAL REPORT: Poor test results in 'three R's' come after four years of gains.

I guess the good news is that all of my kids schools did much better than the district, but I suspect that it's only a matter of time before they start showing declining scores.

Unfortunately, the Anchorage School District seems to have put itself on the path to less effectiveness.

Recently, the school board formally adopted Everyday Math after a flawed evaluation process. Of course, many schools in the district were already using Everyday Math.

In reading, the school district uses Houghton Mifflin Reading, which is just a repackaged whole language program with just enough phonics thrown in to meet the Reading First guidelines. It's effectiveness has yet to be determined according to the What Works Clearinghouse.

If the School Board had any common sense at all, they would take a look at what's happening over at Eagle Academy Charter School. According to their Profile of Performance, they are kicking ass. 73% advanced in Reading, 69% advanced in writing, and 75% advanced in math. Compare this to district percentages of 40%, 35%, and 40% respectively.

I tried to get my kids into Eagle Academy when I first arrived here, but unfortunately they didn't have enough slots for all my kids, and the logistics of getting them there was going to be to difficult. I would like to think that we provide an equivalent educational experience by supplementing our kids instruction at home, but it sure would be nice if the school district used charters schools like they should, and adopted the more successful instructional practices.

Teacher Quality

2008-11-11T05:35:00.003-04:00

I was just reading Kevin Carey's latest post about teacher quality, or more specifically alternate certification programs vs. traditional certification programs. He brings up an interesting point about the possibility of there being some sort of mystery innate factor that heavily influences student outcomes and teacher effectiveness.

Well I am here to tell you Kevin, that the factor isn't such a mystery. Four school age kids, twenty or so teachers in their lives, and I can spot an effective teacher in the first week of school. I haven't been wrong yet.

An effective teacher:

Reinforces the basics/building blocks continually
Is organized i.e. plans out assignments and and doesn't lose homework
Expects students to be behaved and responsible
Uses students work to evaluate how well they taught, not just how well the student learned

As far as the alternate certification vs traditional certification argument goes, I think the whole debate is putting the cart in front of the horse.

In my several years of being an education junkie, I have yet to read about a single study that compares the effectiveness of education teachers programs.

The value added effectiveness of all education program graduates should be measure and tied back to their school. Nursing schools are graded based on their NCLEX pass rates. Why couldn't we track education majors for a few years after they enter the teaching profession and publish which schools do a good job of preparing teachers.

I would wager that once the rankings came out, education schools would quickly abandon all the pseudo science they try and pass of as pedagogy and start providing effective instruction on how to prepare lessons, maintain discipline, and teach math/reading.

Is that to much to ask?

"calling your kids ugly"

2008-11-10T22:44:00.002-04:00

MSNBC: Homeowner denial: My home is gaining value

To a homeowner, a low, but realistic, listing price is "like someone calling your kids ugly," Ariely said with a laugh.

There are three homeowners I know who are trying to sell their house. All three are in denial. All three must move (military). All of them think they will just rent out their house and wait it out.

IMG00056.jpg

2008-11-10T20:06:00.001-04:00

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

(Sorry, just testing)

Facebook for education

2008-11-10T15:36:00.002-04:00

I've been playing around with facebook and twitter the last few days.

Got me to wondering how come educational software is so far behind the power curve.

Only one of my kids teachers bothers to use the district homework page, and even that is a pain to get to. I can check grades online, much to my kids chagrin, but having something a little more interactive would sure be nice.

Obamacation

2008-11-08T00:35:00.003-04:00

According to Fox News, Obama is considering "former Bush Secretary of State Colin Powell as possible education secretary". How many jobs is Colin Powell going to have in his lifetime?

What's with the meme of hiring high ranking military officers to run education organizations? Can't they find any qualified education people?

BTW, I notice Teach For America wasn't mentioned anywhere in Obama's education initiatives on change.gov. Oh well, maybe all those bright young things can join the New Energy Corps, the Veterans Corps, or the Health Corps.

For a guy who ran on change, he isn't very original.

If I hear "Yes we can" one more time...

2008-11-05T01:20:00.003-04:00

So I am watching the Obama victory speech, and I am feeling it. Seriously, I'm telling my wife, who isn't so accepting, that his speech is pretty decent, he is saying all the right thing, then... he starts with the "Yes we can" thing.

I know he has to placate his base, and give his supporters some of what they expect, but the "Yes we can" mantra, creeps me out. Then again, I have the feeling that it will be the last time he uses it in a major speech. I should be safe as long as I avoid youtube.

Perspective

2008-11-04T22:26:00.006-04:00

First, I would like to thank everyone who voted... thank you for exercising your right, no matter who you voted for.

Second: Today, three of my Airman volunteered to go to the Middle East for four months. None of them had to go. All three of them were 20 years old. Two of them were Obama supporters. One of them recently got married. All of them represent the best of this country.

Finally: Congratulations to Obama, our first African-American President.

p.s. props to my wife Shannon for going out to vote after a long day, even though the election was effectively over already.

Rory's Alaskan King Crab Taco Recipe

2008-11-03T22:39:00.003-04:00

Corn tortilla (heated on a frying pan -- DO NOT USE store bought hard shells)

Steamed Alaskan King Crab Meat (Seasoned with Old Bay or Celery Salt if desired)

Cilantro (There is cilantro in the pico de gallo, but I love Cilantro)

A slice of avocado

Home made pico de gallo (3 tomatoes, 1 red onion, garlic, cilantro, pepper, celery salt, squeeze of lemon, touch of vinegar)

Delicious

I'd take pictures, but they were so delicious we ate them too quickly.

Sick kid...

2008-11-02T22:37:00.004-04:00

My two and a half year old has a stomach bug. I was up all night cleaning up after her.

You hate it when your kids are sick, but you have to admit... you get the best hugs when they are.

p.s. she wants to type a message while she is on my lap.

yibyu yuzzzz dnfddr

He is running for President, not Messiah

2008-11-01T13:29:00.003-04:00

If Obama wins, promise me that there wont be any more youtube videos like this:

and this

What teachers really think...

2008-11-01T01:43:00.002-04:00

http://parentalcation.blogspot.com/2008/10/still-alive.html#comment-1939693891531904620

"pompous, uneducated parents"

The Frustrated Teacher... keeping it real

Still alive

2008-10-28T23:57:00.002-04:00

Last week my unit had a big inspection, so I spent the last few weeks prepping for it. This week, we are having an exercise, so I am on 12-hour shifts.

I swear my blogging will pick up next week... and it won't be about politics (probably)... I am so burned out on the election.

My kids are doing fine, though they still get to many stupid homework assignments. Hint to teachers... if your homework assignment requires construction paper, and you aren't teaching Art, then chances are you are an idiot.

Oh, my 2 1/2 year old is potty trained. She is some sort of potty training prodigy... she picked it up in less than a week. Took my other kids ages. Of course now I spend my time emptying the little kid potty bowl.

I need to start taking classes again, but I am procrastinating. Going to have to get it over with... only a few more classes until I get my Bachelors degree.

Interesting tidbit: I have written way more words, and done way more research, on this blog than I have done in my entire college career.

I rock

2008-10-15T00:57:00.000-04:00

I just smoked some salmon.

It tastes awesome.

To the teachers... Stop the Stupid Projects!

2008-10-15T00:34:00.003-04:00

To all the educators who read this blog.

Stop the useless projects. Seriously, please stop it.

Stop wasting my kids time coloring stupid stuff that has nothing to do with the subject.

You think you are being creative. You think you are making things interesting. What you don't see is the hours my kids spend at the table, stressing over whether their glue smeared or their lines are straight. You don't see the $100's of dollars we spend every year on poster boards, crayons, printer ink, felt pens, etc...

If you really think my kids have too much time on their hands at home, just have them copy sentences out of a textbook. They would learn more... and I wouldn't be cleaning dryed up glue off of my kitchen table as a result of a Social Studies project.

Thank you.

No worse than the experts...

2008-10-13T22:43:00.004-04:00

The experts seem to be wrong at least half the time, so let me try my hand at a little economic forecasting.

False bounce. The DJI isn't finished diving. I predict a low of 7500 +/- 200.

That, and buy Siemens. (Actually I bought Siemens last Friday at 62). Even at 73, I think its a good long term buy.

Disclaimer: I have no idea what I am talking about. Only follow my advice if you are a fool.

[update] the dude who predicted it all agrees with me.

From Bloomberg: Roubini Sees Worst Recession in 40 Years, Rally's End

Nouriel Roubini, the professor who predicted the financial crisis in 2006, said the U.S. will suffer its worst recession in 40 years, causing the rally in the stock market to ``sputter.''

via Calculated Risk

Obama will win

2008-10-12T04:45:00.003-04:00

Obama will win the election. Not a terrible thing.

The global recession is going to require the United States to start a massive jobs and infrastructure program. Taxes will have to be raised. Health care for the unemployed will have to be sorted out. These are all things that the Democrats are much more poised to handle. McCain's heart just wouldn't be into it.

I seriously wonder if we are witnessing a paradigm shift. I predict in 20 years, this election was the year that the business/corporate world switched allegiance from the Republicans to the Democrats.

I think we might see a break-off of the far left from the Democratic Party, which will eventually start to be viewed as the new center.

The Republican party will need to take the next four years to re-identify itself. I imagine that Palin will play a big part in its turn to social conservative populism.

The mystery to me is what affects the changing demographics will have on the parties.

Whatever happens, I definitely see the United States listing to the left politically. Good or bad, well that's for the history books to decide.

Irony

2008-10-12T00:19:00.003-04:00

Palin is said to have abused her power by "failing to act" to prevent her private citizen husband from lobbying to have an Alaskan State Trooper fired, after the trooper tasered an 11-year old, threatened to kill his father, and drank on duty.

Meanwhile, not a word in the media about the "coincidence" that Obama lobbied to get his wife's hospital a $1 million dollar earmark after his wife suddenly received a 250% raise.

Keeping it real.

UPDATE: J.D. Fisher, from the excellent blog Text Savvy, links to the orginal report in the comments, confirming part of my analysis above.

Cheering the Crash

2008-10-10T23:11:00.002-04:00

I have a guilty admission to make.

I love that the market is crashing. I started cheering out loud today when the market went below 8,000.

I had cashed out of the market last year right before I moved to Alaska, to pay off some debt. Now I am about to start buying again.

Things are going to get pretty bad, but Alaska will do better than most places. I have a government job and my wife is a recession proof nurse.

Interesting times.

Media Watch

2008-10-10T21:18:00.002-04:00

MSBNC's headline is: "A legislative committee's investigation concludes GOP VP nominee Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin unlawfully abused her authority in firing public safety commissioner."

Wrong. The investigation found that the firing was lawful. It says she abused her power by not doing more to stop Todd Palin from advocating for Trooper Wooten to be fired. Big difference.

Idiot reporters.

Palin's firing of Monegan was "a proper and lawful exercise" of the governor's authority

2008-10-10T20:51:00.002-04:00

Nuff said.

http://www.adn.com/palin/story/552393.html

In the second finding, Branchflower says Monegan's refusal to fire Wooten was not the sole reason for his dismissal but that it was a "contributing factor." Still, he said, Palin's firing of Monegan was "a proper and lawful exercise" of the governor's authority.

First snow

2008-10-05T20:46:00.001-04:00

October 5th, and we already have our first snow of the year.

Time to put up the bikes and break out the snow suits.

Time Magazine does a hack job on Governor Palin

2008-10-05T03:16:00.008-04:00

From Time magazines attempt at objective reporting, Palin's Pipeline to Nowhere? By MICHAEL WEISSKOPF AND NATHAN THORNBURGH/ANCHORAGE.

Over the past 25 years, the average Alaskan has received roughly $1,200 from the state each year. When fuel costs spiraled out of control in rural Alaska, instead of focusing on suggestions to help rural residents weatherize their homes or develop small-scale renewable energy sources, Palin wrote every Alaskan a second check for $1,200.

I guess the hacks reporters investigating in Alaska don't bother to watch or listen to local news. Otherwise, they would of heard the countless mentions of the three energy conservation programs sponsored the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation: the Home Energy Rebate Program, Weatherization Program, and the Second Mortgage Program for Energy Conservation.

The U.S. Department of Energy even highlights Governor Palins programs on their website.

July 2008

Alaskans endure some of the highest energy costs in the nation, but they are seeing some relief, thanks to legislation signed by Governor Sarah Palin in May. The measure provided $300 million to the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) for three programs to help Alaskans reduce energy bills and make their homes more energy efficient.

The Anchorage Daily News did a story about how popular the rebate program was a few days ago.

With a fresh infusion of $60 million into the state's Home Energy Rebate Program, thousands of Alaska homeowners are clamoring to receive home-improvement rebate checks worth as much as $10,000, creating an unprecedented backlog and leaving many people frustrated and stressed with the process to get a piece of the big state giveaway.

I would wager to say that this program was more successful than anything that Barack Obama has done to improve energy conservation.

Doggone it Joe, you lost...

2008-10-02T23:15:00.002-04:00

Ok, Palin finally redeemed herself. Maybe it was low expectations, but it's clear she got more positives out of the debate than Senator Biden.

Predictions:

- Obama will still win (sorry, it's just to big of an uphill battle)

- Palin set her self up as a heavy favorite to be the first woman President (in a few years)

- You will shortly see a youtube clip of Joe Biden about to cry

Bottom line: I still can't vote for McCain because of the bailout vote, but I will write in Governor Palin's name. (Don't worry, I live in Alaska. I won't affect the outcome of the race)

To Ellis

2008-10-01T22:43:00.001-04:00

That was pietastic...

ha ha

Not voting this year

2008-10-01T22:16:00.003-04:00

Well, I swore I wouldn't vote for anyone who supported the bailout, so I am skipping this year's election.

Too bad.

The good things...

2008-09-30T00:09:00.003-04:00

Good things my kids teachers are doing this year:

3rd grade:

- My 3rd grade daughters teacher is methodical about measuring my daughters reading level then setting a short and long term goal.

- The teacher is drilling the kids on subtraction and addition facts prior to starting the multiplication facts

5th grade:

- My son and daughters teacher religiously updates their online homework page and also uses an online grade book.

- He also returns all work, and gives the kids an option to correct sub-par work to get a higher grade. For example if my son corrects a paper that got 6 out of 10, then he can get it changed to a 8.

8th grade:

- OK, I am out of touch with my 8th graders teachers. She is getting A's and B's though, so no complaints, except of course for the stupid projects.

More BS school projects

2008-09-29T01:39:00.003-04:00

My 8th grader has spent the last three hours working on a "government accordian book". She has used colored paper, glue on letters, stencils, and drawings so far.

As near as I can tell, she hasn't learned a single thing about about the government yet.

I wanted to send a note to her teacher pointing this out, but my wife and my daughter wouldn't let me.

So if by some chance an 8th grade social studies teacher happens to read this, I have a message for them.

Stop wasting my kids time!

Depressions build character

2008-09-28T20:58:00.002-04:00

Ever notice how those who lived through the "Great Depression" talk about it like it's a badge of honor. You always hear about how it built character and taught them the value of savings and thrift.

Just saying...

Why is a financial meltdown such a bad idea?

2008-09-28T00:44:00.003-04:00

Why is a financial meltdown such a bad idea?

Will people starve?

Didn't the Great Depression result in the New Deal?

I can't believe we are being asked to spend over a trillion dollars to perpetuate the status quot.

Topsy turvy

2008-09-26T03:41:00.001-04:00

Up is down. North is South.

The Democrats are supporting Bush.

Republicans don't want Democrats to help Wall Street.

Oregon St beat USC.

I am slowly losing my sanity.

My only crutch is my utter confidence that whatever bill passes will inevitably cause more problems than it solves.

You can't beat Murphy or the Law of Unintended Consequences.

Obama can be President

2008-09-26T00:30:00.002-04:00

Let Obama be President. Give us back Palin. Don't talk to me about USC.

Obama can have the Presidency as long as USC makes a come back

2008-09-25T23:03:00.001-04:00

Yeah... USC is more important.

Can't take it anymore...

2008-09-25T22:49:00.002-04:00

I can't watch anymore Sarah Palin interviews. It's like McCain turned her into a puppet.

It ain't right.

And to top it all off, USC is losing 21-0.

Set Sarah Free

2008-09-24T10:23:00.004-04:00

I'm with K-Lo over at the Corner.

As everyone knows, she's in New York City through tomorrow. I realize she has a busy schedule. I know she has Katie Couric time to carve out. But as John McCain does anything but inspire, how about a total Sarah charm offensive? Drop by and see old friend Larry Kudlow. Give Elisabeth Hasselbeck and the girls a drop-in. Tell Alan Colmes you really missed him last week. Call Rush Limbaugh (you know, the guy who hailed you as a conservative "babe" months ago, finally.

The McCain campaign needs to let go of their death grip on Palin and let her go on a charm offensive. Let her answer questions from the media. Let her go on the View.

If she can't hack by now, then McCain picked the wrong person. I happen think she will do fine.

Wow... my Mom hates Palin

2008-09-23T00:17:00.002-04:00

I have a confession. I come from a family of very liberal Democrats. I swear I don't think a single person in my immediate family has ever voted for a Republican... never ever.

This morning my mom messaged me, saying that she didn't like Palin. My mom doesn't dislike anyone, yet Palin has somehow gotten under her skin. Weird.

Anyways, politics is now an off-limits topic in my family. Hopefully my Mom doesn't read this.

Just in case... I love you Mom.

McCain wants to limit execs to $400,000

2008-09-21T22:00:00.004-04:00

McCain wants to limit execs to $400,000

It may be a populist move, but McCain was the first one to put a number to CEO compensation limits.

He can turn this election if he shouts this to every media person and voter in the United States.

Obama... your turn. Can you top this?

[UPDATE] The main stream media don't seem to be covering this statement. I wonder if they are delaying it until Obama can come up with a simular plan? nahhhh.

Irony of the New York Times and New York City

2008-09-21T15:58:00.005-04:00

The New York Times has an inordinate amount of influence on national politics considering they are the local newspaper of the crooks on Wall Street that made money off of the backs of main street.

How many factories are there in New York City? How much food to they produce in New York City? How much oil do they drill/produce in NYC?

Should we really trust the local newspaper of all these crooks?

Instead of the bailout...

2008-09-21T13:25:00.002-04:00

I say screw the bailout. Let's just pump money into AIG, since we already own it, and take over the credit industry. So what if the other companies fail, we (the taxpayers) can just buy the assets on the cheap. We would be one of the only players out there with enough capital to loan directly to the citizens.

Then after everything has shaken out, we just divvy the company up, giving every American a share, and let the free market take over.

I'd also like to see a 85% income/capital gains tax applied retroactively to every single CEO who has had a hand in this crisis.

50/50 vs 100

2008-09-21T03:07:00.002-04:00

All else being equal, if we accept that Palin doesn't have any experience or expertise for federal government, then I think she is the perfect candidate for President.

I figure that on any given economic decision, she would have at least a 50/50 shot of getting it right, whereas the politicians currently in Washington running out economic policy have about 100% record of getting it wrong.

Charles Murray cracks me up...

2008-09-21T02:46:00.004-04:00

Whether you agree with him or not, you have to admit that Charles Murray is funny as hell.

From his recent New York Times Magazine interview

What do you make of the fact that John McCain was ranked 894 in a class of 899 when he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy? I like to think that the reason he ranked so low is that he was out drinking beer, as opposed to just unable to learn stuff.

I bet there are a significant number of people who spent their college years studying, who look back on it now and wish they drank more beer and got laid more often. I don't see any of those other 893 people running for President or married to a millionairess.

Like I have been saying, we need less experience and more common sense in government.

Palin and experience (less genius, more common sense).

2008-09-20T23:34:00.003-04:00

It's ironic that the same people mocking Palin for her inexperience are championing the same experts to get our economy out of the position that they put themselves in.

We need a little less genius and a little more common sense.

Don't get me wrong, if she supports this mess then I am done with her as a VP candidate, but if anyone should be attuned to the Main Street aversion to bailing out Wall Street it should be her.

Unfortunately, I think McCain might muzzle what would be her natural position.

Liberals and Wall Street

2008-09-20T22:01:00.004-04:00

Let's be clear. This financial crisis was created because the liberals (and Bush) liked the idea of the poor being able to buy houses, and Wall Street figured out a way to profit of the idiocity of the whole concept until the whole ponzi scheme went bust.

I think there will be an inevitable push against deregulation, but deregulation wasn't the problem. The problem was the expectation that the government would be there to bailout the companies, since they were the ones pushing for an "ownership society" anyway. Well it looks like they were right...

I blame HGTV and their endless run of "house flipping" shows. In a few years we went from a country where the middle class was happy to have 3 bedrooms to a country where they were putting in granite counters in the ghettos.

Government paychecks for a government bailout

2008-09-20T21:15:00.002-04:00

Every single person working for AIG right now should have his paycheck cut to a reasonable government salary.

If we go ahead with this bailout of Wall Street, it should be on the condition that any company we (the government) buy toxic debt from should have to cut salaries by half (at least).

My vote is officially up for grabs again, and goes to the first candidate to take a stand against the bailout of the corrupt and incompetent.

Update

2008-09-17T02:05:00.003-04:00

No I didn't burn out... I am on 12 hour shifts for an exercise at work.

Obama still scares me.

I am still voting for Palin.

Seriously, how cool is Todd Palin?

Ask yourself this one question?

When a crisis hits, who would you rather be at the helm? Obama or McCain? Obama or Palin?

If you answered Obama for either one of those questions, ~~you are seriously deluded.~~ then I disagree.

Don't even talk about experience. If you really cared about experience, you would of voted for Hillary, since she had the benefit of President Clinton as an advisor.

UPDATE: ms-teacher made me feel guilty. There are valid reasons why someone would vote for Obama.

Obama reminds me of my kids...

2008-09-10T23:11:00.002-04:00

When I first heard about Obama's "pig in lipstick" comment, I thought... no, he ain't that dumb. Then I found out that he followed it up with an "old pig" joke.

He knew what he was doing. He was doing what my kids do. Insulting someone with an innocent look, and them feigning ignorance.

I am calling Obama a liar. He knew. He meant it.

Kudo's to you Obama... now you get to say "burn".

Have you noticed...

2008-09-10T21:50:00.003-04:00

Have you noticed the media smears and non-stories written against Sarah Palin are having a shorter and shorter lifespan.

Now, Obama's "lipstick on a pig" smear is lasting. A smear only lasts as long as the public want's it to.

Hollis French claimed 5x the per diem of Sarah Palin

2008-09-10T00:24:00.006-04:00

Thanks to Governor Palin, the state of Alaska publishes it's "checkbook" online for public viewing.

I decided to go and compare Sarah Palin's "per diem" payments to those of State Senator Hollis French, the democrat leading the "troopergate" investigation.

According to the detailed report of expenses for the dates 1 July 07 to 30 Jun 08, Governor Palin was paid a total of $5,212.91. In the same time period, Hollis French was paid per diem of $25,009.12.

~~This seems pretty extravagant, especially when you consider that Senator French lives in Anchorage, where I imagine he does much of his work. Just like Governor Palin.~~

Now this doesn't include individual payments of less than $1,000, but it's still pretty interesting.

Do you think the Washington Post would be interested... nahhhh of course not.

[UPDATE] - Hollis French collects per diem while in Juneau for legislative sessions, since he doesn't have a residence there. Still, feel free to go to the links and do your own digging.

Hillary deserves props...

2008-09-08T20:56:00.001-04:00

Hillary Clinton, who I am a big fan of, deserves kudos for not being driven into "gutter" campaigning. She continues to talk about issues, and refuses to follow the Obama campaign into the mud.

I hope Hillary is around for a while.

Obama: "The American people aren't stupid."

2008-09-08T16:37:00.002-04:00

Steve Benen over at the Washington Monthly thinks that Obama's like "They must think the American people are stupid" is a good campaign slogan.

I admit that I am not neutral, but I don't think the line works that well, at least for swing voters.

I am not sure what would work for him, but I don't think he can turn Palin into a weakness, best for him to pray that she flubs on her own (though I don't think it's likely).

Democratic candidates don't do well on attacks unless it is on issues of "corruption".

I think a good move would be to take a deep breath for a week or two, then announce some sort of major position in his administration for Hillary Clinton (who was my initial pick). It might be too late, but it's his best shot to shore up his support.

If he had picked Hillary as VP, he robbed McCain the impact of Palin and he would of cemented her base of women voters.

I think in the end, its these two decisions (Hillary and Palin) that will analyzed over and over. This is the year of women. Sort of ironic that the Republicans stole the thunder.

Sarah Palin and the inevitable "experience" question

2008-09-07T22:46:00.002-04:00

I think the "experience" question is going to be the most difficult question to answer during Sarah Palin interviews. Sooner or later the "executive experience" answer will get old.

As a Palin supporter (and one who totally thinks the left and right have the completely wrong impression of her), I would like to see her answer the "experience" question something along the lines of this.

If by experience do you mean do I know how things are done in Washington, then by that definition, I don't have it, but I am not going to Washington to do things the same old way it's been done for years. But I do have experience in harnessing the best and the brightest of all parties and working across the isle to accomplish things that benefit the people of Alaska. As VP, I will use this experience to work across the isle and help John McCain develop realistic and workable solutions to the problems of energy and the economy.

Pretty balanced article on Governor Palin - by those who know her best

2008-09-07T19:47:00.001-04:00

Palin's leadership: Opinion adn.com

The Anchorage Daily News has an op-ed piece up about Governor Palin.

It's definitely no puff piece, but there are some key points they mention that the media and the left aren't aware of.

Palin is the only major political figure in the past 20 years who regularly comes to Daily News editorial board meetings by herself, with no flunkies or handlers.

...

Palin dislikes the give-and-take that usually helps smooth the way for political decisions. She states her case and expects legislators to base their actions on the merits of the issue.

...

One of Gov. Palin's great strengths as a reformer also has a downside. She has a fervent sense of what's right and what's wrong and has little concern for political consequences. This fearless sense of righteousness has generally served her well -- as when she went after Alaska's arrogant and corrupt Republican political establishment.

...

One big surprise about Palin's term as governor: She has been thoroughly bipartisan. Her most reliable supporters on her big three accomplishments have been Democrats. The partisan side that Palin showed in her acceptance speech Thursday is something Alaskans haven't seen in her time as governor.

Republican talking heads are idiots

2008-09-07T12:24:00.005-04:00

It is so annoying to see all these Republican talking heads do such a crappy job of articulating Governor Palin's true views on issues.

At least three times this morning I have heard accusations from the left wing about Sarah Palin's views on sex education and creationism.

These are smart people, supposedly, so you would think they would be prepared for the untruths from the left.

Sarah Palin is not against teaching about the use of birth control in schools.

Sarah Palin has not pushed for the teaching of creationism in schools.

[UPDATE] They are less idiotic than the Democratic talking heads, but that is no excuse for not do a little background prep.

This is mandatory reading. Palin Rumors

Janet Napolitano says "Commander of the National Guard" is "big responsibility."

2008-09-07T03:28:00.004-04:00

I was watching a Charlie Rose interview with Governors Palin and Napolitano, and get this... Governor Napolitano is the one that brings up the significance of being a Commander of the National Guard. She says "It's a big responsibility."

See the link below at approximately 11:20 into the interview.

http://www.charlierose.com/shows/2007/10/12/2/a-conversation-with-governors-janet-napolitano-sarah-palin

Left wing nuts provide hours of entertainment

2008-09-06T00:44:00.002-04:00

They are desperate... all sorts of rumors flying about affairs, racial comments, etc...

I am thinking of registering at the Daily Kos and at Demographic Underground and adding some extra rumors. The more they chase these smears, the more unhinged the appear. It's like watching rats gnaw at their own tails.

What no one mentions about Sarah Palin

2008-09-05T02:41:00.002-04:00

Sarah Palin meets and greets returning troops at the airport, at Elmendorf AFB, and at Fort Richardson whenever they arrive. She has shown up at 2am just to say "welcome home". This isn't a publicity stunt. She does it because she cares.

Alaska and Pork Barrel spending

2008-09-05T02:26:00.003-04:00

I have read about a lot of accusations about Alaska being a welfare state, and how it takes a lot of federal funds.Publish Post

What people fail to note, is that Alaska provides a significant amount of energy and raw materials to the rest of the United States. Alaskans provide food, wood, minerals, gold, oil, and soon natural gas. They do it in extreme weather conditions. The economic benefit of all this far and away out weighs any Federal funding that is provided. Federal funding helps fund the roads and infastructure that America requires for economic growth.

If anything, Alaska is ripped off in the deal. Thank god that Sarah Palin at least struck a deal to keep a small part of it in Alaska.

More Governor Sarah Palin on education

2008-09-05T01:58:00.005-04:00

I am completely remiss. I should of pointed out Christina Samuels rebuttal of the false claims of Sarah Palin cutting money from special needs.

Gov. Palin's Budget for Special Education

The difference in funding, however, is because the Alaska Challenge Youth Academy moved to a budget line item of its own. In the fiscal 2009 budget, you can see that the academy alone has a budget of $6,082,100. When you add that to the $3,156,000 that is being spent on all the other projects, it adds up to $9,238,100--an approximately 12 percent INCREASE in spending on all those particular programs, put together, since fiscal 2007.

It should also be noted that Alaska spends far more on education than just these few programs indicate. Education is typically one of the biggest parts of any state's budget, and in Alaska lawmakers plan to spend about $1.2 billion for fiscal 2009.

Edweek also has a few more Sarah Palin related articles up.

Palin Has Not Pushed Creation Science as Governor

When asked during a televised debate in 2006 about evolution and creationism, Palin said, according to the Anchorage Daily News: "Teach both. You know, don't be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both."

In a subsequent interview with the Daily News, Palin said discussion of alternative views on the origins of life should be allowed in Alaska classrooms. "I don't think there should be a prohibition against debate if it comes up in class. It doesn't have to be part of the curriculum," she said.

VP Choice Backed School Funding Overhaul

Alaska has one of the nation’s most unusual performance-incentive programs, which rewards school employees with payments for gains in student achievement. The state-run program is distinct in that it includes many different kinds of employees, from administrators and teachers to custodians and secretaries, offering them payments for increased student performance at their school.

and

Members of education organizations in Alaska generally spoke favorably about Ms. Palin’s record on school issues since she took office in January of 2007. The governor has become a popular figure among the 13,000 members of the Alaska National Education Association, said Barbara Angaiak, president of the state affiliate of the National Education Association.
The union official credited Ms. Palin for having backed a legislative proposal, which became law this year, that overhauled the state’s school funding system. That plan brought more money to the state’s many rural and remote school districts and raised spending for students with special needs. ("Alaska Legislators Overhaul Funding," April 30, 2008.)

www.hotgovernor.com

2008-09-04T23:37:00.002-04:00

I own the website hotgovernor.com (nothing but a holding page right now). I thought about selling it and donating the money to the McCain campaign, but I am afraid whoever bought it would use it for nefarious means.

Anyone got any other suggestions?

Snowmachine vs snowmobile

2008-09-04T23:35:00.001-04:00

Alaska calls them snowmachines. The rest of the U.S., uses the word snowmobile.

I predict a drastic shift in word usage thanks to Todd Palin.

Secret service dreads Alaska

2008-09-04T23:11:00.001-04:00

Do you think the secret service is having nightmares about trying to guard Sarah Palin while she is hunting in the middle of an Alaskan winter?

Just a thought?

Two lawyers vs a hockey mom and a service man.

2008-09-04T22:39:00.002-04:00

The election has come down to two lawyers versus a hockey mom and a veteran.

Hmmm, I wonder who would understand the needs of the common man more?

Palin smears burn out...

2008-09-04T22:33:00.002-04:00

A certain someone who got in a certain situation, was hardly mentioned in the media today. I guess having that person's significant other on state with her wasn't such a bad idea after all.

There is an email out there, supposedly from another hockey mom, criticizing Governor Palin. What a great time for it to come out. Any thing short of earth shattering is pretty much ignored. People are burned out with the negativity.

Fun fact of the day: Michelle Obama makes more money by herself than Governor Palin and her husband combined.

Governor Palin supports special needs contrary to left wing smears

2008-09-04T20:20:00.005-04:00

As the Weekly Standard pointed out, there is an evil smear going about, which I was able to get retracted at Washington Monthly.

The Weekly Standard pointed to this article over at edweek by Sean Cavanagh which also disproved the notion.

Gov. Sarah Palin and state lawmakers have gone ahead with an overhaul of Alaska’s school funding system that supporters predict will provide much-needed financial help to rural schools and those serving students with disabilities.

The plan, enacted in the recently concluded session of the legislature, is based on recommendations issued by a legislative task force last year. It will phase in a greater flow of money to districts outside of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, over the next five years.
Advocates for rural and remote schools have lobbied for years for more funding, in particular noting the higher fuel, transportation, and other costs associated with providing education in communities scattered across the vast state.

A second part of the measure raises spending for students with special needs to $73,840 in fiscal 2011, from the current $26,900 per student in fiscal 2008, according to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.

But I have even more information. The original smear is based on funding documents for "Special Schools". What they failed to note, besides for the movement of the Alaska Challenge Academy funding to a separate category, is that Alaska special education funding is also covered under the Department of Education and Early Development Student and School Achievement.

The Department of Early Development Student and School Achievement is responsible for special education for Alaska schools, gifted education, and the Special Education State Personnel Development Grant which provides money to train and recruit special education teachers. These are all state funded mandates per the budget document.

In 2007, the State contributed $5,429,000 in General Funds Receipts to the department.

In the 2009 Governors budget, this was increased to $6,253,800

This was an increase of $824,000 which is a 15% increase in state funding.

How much do you want to bet this was increased before the Governor even found out about her son Trig?

Update: Soledad O'Brien makes a complete fool of herself, only she doesn't realize it.

We already know that I debunked this like in a few minutes, so we can only conclude that Soledad is either incompetent or a complete liar. We also know what sort of blogs she reads as well.

The Washington Monthly Fact Checked

2008-09-04T03:13:00.005-04:00

CREDIT: The original fact checker was Stuart Buck. Let's give him credit for being way on top of things.

He has a blog called The Buck Stops Here

[UPDATE #2] Also see my latest post which shows that Governor Palin increased special needs funding by another 15%.

Washington Monthly makes false accusations against Governor Palin.

The Washington Monthly: Fact Checking Palin

Palin: "To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House."

Sarah Palin might have changed her mind on this one recently. However, a comment here notes that Palin actually slashed funding for schools for special needs kids by 62%. Budgets: FY 2007 (pre-Palin), 2008, 2009 (all pdfs).

Now 45 seconds of googling led me to his comment over at the Washington Post blog, "The Trail"

A commenter (Jim Syar) accused Sarah Palin of reducing the special education budget by 62%. That is false. The special education budget actually increased by nearly 12%, as explained below.
As Syar correctly notes, the Alaska 2007 budget for special education was $8,265,300. But that included $5,352,000 for the Alaska Challenge Youth Academy.
In the 2009 budgetary document to which Syar links, astute observers will note that there is no mention of the Alaska Challenge Youth Academy. Instead, you have to look elsewhere. And guess what: There is now a specific document providing $6,082,100 for the Alaska Challenge Youth Academy.http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/09_omb/budget/EED/comp2837.pdf So combined with the $3,156,000 that Syar notes, the total is $9,238,100. A nearly 12% INCREASE, not a 62% decrease.
Posted by: SB September 3, 2008 3:38 PM

Burn. I posted in the comments. Check back to find out if a retraction is printed.

UPDATE - Washington Monthly printed a correction. Yglesias picked up the story though, and hasn't.

Also stay tuned for a post where I prove that Governor Palin significantly increased the support for special needs children even more than I have shown here.

Michelle Malkin gives me props.

Screw politics, pee-chee folders are back!

2008-09-04T02:41:00.006-04:00

Screw politics...

They are making pee-chee folders again!

My wife found them at Fred Myers.

I can't wait to start doodling on it. All I need now is some brown paper to wrap around my text books to have a total 80's high school flashback.

p.s. I know I have no tan. I live in Alaska!

More predictions...

2008-09-04T00:44:00.001-04:00

The Obama campaign will try and divert focus away from Palin, and try and redirect it back to McCain. He has a better chance against him.

On vetting...

2008-09-04T00:34:00.002-04:00

Much is being made of McCain's vetting process. Let's be real folks. He went with his gut instinct, which is what the President must do in a crisis. Weigh the options and make a decision. Well I am here to tell you that the decision that the media has been decrying all weekend is starting too look like a brilliant choice.

Instead of asking, why did he pick her, we should be asking ourselves, what would of happened if he didn't pick her. Hindsight is 20/20, but brilliance is often nothing but strategic luck.

In their own words...

2008-09-04T00:12:00.003-04:00

Quotes from the comments over at Washington Monthly.

After tonight, I was so worried that I coughed up another $100 to the Obama campaign. And $10 to ActBlue.

This will test the Obama campaign.

Posted by: John O on September 4, 2008 at 12:02 AM | PERMALINK

I agree with the poster who said this will launch a comeback for McCain. This speech is going to be very well reviewed, and not just on wingnut sites. The MSM is going to cream big time, and tomorrow we'll see many, many Sarah puff pieces. At minimum, tonight will end all the distracting silliness about Palin leaving the ticket. She was everything they needed her to be.

On the positive side, Barack in his speech laid down a kind of gauntlet for the Republicans when he challenged them to run a positive campaign on the issues. Now that they've done exactly the opposite, no one can blame him for responding in kind. I only hope he's capable of actually doing so.

Posted by: mib8 on September 3, 2008 at 11:54 PM | PERMALINK

The chances of her leaving the ticket just dropped to approximately zero.

Yes that's true. I was wrong. She is in.
But thats the best news imaginable.

She is all about base.
But base isn't enough to win this time around.
She is an alienator and a divider.
That's the wrong tack to take in 2008.

Posted by: koreyel on September 3, 2008 at 11:00 PM | PERMALINK

This chick is good. But not good enough. Obama, just like in the Primary, will find another gear. Voter turn out. Voter turn out. Please don't let them steal yet another one. Please.

Posted by: getready on September 3, 2008 at 11:36 PM | PERMALINK

She is all about base. But base isn't enough to win this time around. She is an alienator and a divider. That's the wrong tack to take in 2008.

It worked before, it can work again.

Sorry, kids, Governor Palin is delivering. The RNC and the fascist machine are going to go "all in on Palin". How many low-information voters can the DNC reach before November?

What will be interesting to observe is how the trad media reacts. Brooks, Coulter, Limbaugh, Boortz, Hannity, O'Reilly, Krauthammer, Broder, Will, et al, aren't going on vacation for the next 9 weeks. How tightly they embrace this ticket, and how the rest of the crew (National Enquirer included) goes about the business of journalism is going play as big a role as in 2000, 2004.

Complacency for the Democrats puts McCain and Palin in the West Wing.

Posted by: GuyFromOhio on September 3, 2008 at 11:12 PM | PERMALINK

You're all wrong. This speech, despite its bullshit, is going to launch a huge McCain comeback.

Red meat for the droolers. Pitch perfect, and Biden will get hassled if he's too mean to her.

Did I mention that McCain was a POW?

I, for one, am worried. Most of the electorate doesn't give a flying shit about reality, nor do they view politics as having any impact on their lives. Think, "sporting event," or, if I may, "beauty contest."

You'll see. McCain will keep her away from the press (that groundwork is already laid) and it will be another nail-biter, despite any objective evidence for what it should be.

Posted by: john O on September 3, 2008 at 11:09 PM | PERMALINK

God help me, I can't stop watching (train wreck, maybe).

She's likable. Cute. Perky. Might play well with some mom's in the midwest. She has that upper midwest twang (which I have to say is getting to me. I didn't realize Francis McDermond from Fargo was on the ticket). Too bad she's as full of shit. But this is their convention so it's to be expected.

Posted by: MsJoanne on September 3, 2008 at 10:56 PM | PERMALINK

You get the point.

I tried to warn them.

Prediction. Democrats will start saying "Nice speech, but wait until the press conferences." She will rock at press conferences too. Then Democrats will say "Wait until the debate.". After Biden's defeat at the debate, it will resort to stuff like "She's lying, she has no experience, wahhhhhhh."

Folks, you watched the launch of a super start tonight. She will be President some day.

No gloating...

2008-09-03T23:47:00.002-04:00

America sees what the Alaska already knew. Whether you support her politics or not, she is good.

I believe we have a race.

Oh, ok, I can't resist... I told you so part 1.

Suggestion for McCain and Obama

2008-09-03T01:58:00.002-04:00

Obama and McCain should refuse to talk to any reporter representing a news organization that has anything currently published about Governor Palin's daughter.

The media would be free to report, but no questions would be answered. I bet the media would get their act together pretty quickly.