This is a bit off the beaten political track for me, but let it be known that I am a baseball fan. And, by that, I mean it in the original sense – I am a baseball fanatic. I follow baseball from Opening Day (what other sport really has anything capitalized along those lines?) to the last pitch of the World Series. I then follow it during the Hot Stove season, keeping track of who signed what free agent, which team got the better of trades. I mark the date that pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training (note the capitalization again – and, by the way, it’s Feb. 14 for the Braves). I followed the Bravos from the time that Hank Aaron, Joe Torre, and Felipe Alou moved down from Milwaukee, through good times and bad – though I don’t know how many more 106-loss seasons I could have endured, so thank Heaven for what began in 1991. I even follow the Seattle Mariners, for crying out loud, to see how Ichiro does for my Rotisserie team (the fabulous King Ranch Bullies, for those keeping score at home). My Dad told me once that if I could have majored in baseball stats, I would have been Phi Beta Kappa (sorry, Dad, no such luck). I am, you see, a nut about baseball.
A recent article from Reuters features Al Gore’s admission that legislatively shoving ethanol down the throats of skeptical Americans was actually bad policy.
While it’s refreshing that Mr. Gore actually admits making a mistake, it’s less comforting to realize that ethanol production now accounts for 40% of American corn production and has had a real and lasting effect on food prices. Gore confesses that his support for the $7 billion subsidy that the ethanol lobby receives stemmed, unsurprisingly, from his presidential ambitions.
The law of unintended consequences relates particularly to such politically motivated legislation. It is a cautionary tale for any other such misguided laws – such as, maybe, cap and trade? When the Congress is seeking ways to cut spending, they will find an easy chunk of cash here – right after they cut NPR.
I have been puzzled lately by the lack of a clear early frontrunner in the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary. After all, in seven weeks it will be 2011 and we will be one year away from the first primaries. The GOP usually has one by now.
And given that the candidate who was perceived to be the early frontrunner has eventually won the nomination in every primary of the last 30 years, you would think the major GOP aspirants would be knocking each other down in an attempt to assume the title.
Vote for the candidate you think will most likely be the Republican nominee for President in 2012. Remember, you are not voting necessarily for who you would LIKE to win, but rather who you think will eventually be the nominee. We are trying to get a sense of who is ‘perceived’ to be the Frontrunner at this point – 1 year and 7 weeks from the beginning of the first GOP primaries.
Also, please forward this link to friends and ask them to weigh in as well!
Thanks!
PS – The names below are randomized each time the page is refreshed so there is no bias in their order.
On the night of the midterm elections in 1998, several network and cable news channels cut to live feeds from the lawn of the Governor’s Mansion in Austin where reporters breathlessly informed America that Governor George W. Bush of Texas had been reelected convincingly and was now the favorite for the GOP nomination in 2000.
I was in a hotel ballroom full of Republicans and remember someone puzzling aloud: “Who decided that?” Shoulders shrugged but everyone seemed okay with having just watched the coveted status of frontrunner bestowed upon a candidate. After all, it wasn’t the best of nights for Republicans – particularly in South Carolina – so they were happy to hear something, anything, positive. And having a “frontrunner” qualified.
The State Newspaper’s reports about Neida Ortega, the woman who was responsible for the death of Columbia firefighter Chance Zobel were upsetting on so many different levels.
The State reported that Ms. Ortega has been living in the United States for 10 years and that she did not have a SC (US issued) driver’s license. She did have a driver’s license issued in Mexico either. The articles (here, here and here) further stated that she was picked up at her home before going to work and that her husband had to interpret for her.
In today’s political climate, both Democrats and Republicans are quick to point out how the other party is ruining this country. Even our current President, until the recent shift in power in the House of Representatives, has been quick to point out the flaws of the prior administration. Then former President George W. Bush started making the talk show rounds in preparation of the release of his new book, which I feel is a must read. However, listening to him explain the reasons behind his “Katrina Debacle” and his “mishandling of the financial crisis” has been interesting but not what got my attention. What has been the most impressive of all his interviews has been his reasoning for why we have not heard a word from him over the last 22 months.
We have heard current the debate whether to keep the Bush tax cuts or let the Bush tax cuts expire. The problem, and most of us have fallen for this. These are not tax cuts! Let me repeat that… these are not tax cuts. Now let me explain.
By law all Americans depending upon their income are tax at particular tax bracket. That tax bracket has been set by law. The most recent was under President Bush, where the tax rates were lowered for all American. There was no discrimination. The rates were cut for everyone. This is now the law.
After years of living beyond their means, a couple found themselves smothered in credit card debt and began to argue bitterly about who was to blame. Desperate, they sought advice of a debt counselor who, after a series of fact finding meetings, returned his recommendations which included the elimination of all discretionary spending and a painful reduction in their standard of living. Unfortunately, the couple took this news badly and turned on the counselor and each other.
In honor of Veterans Day I would like to tell the story on one American Soldier. This is a story that was told to me over 20 years ago. I did not find out until a couple of days ago that I was the only person this soldier told this story to.
In the spring of 1943 most of the class of 1943 and the entire class of 1944 of The Citadel were called to active duty in the United States Army. The Class of 1944 was called to active duty in its entirety to fill the ranks of the decimated junior grade officers, 1st and 2nd Lieutenants.
This is a bit off the beaten political track for me, but let it be known that I am a baseball fan. And, by that, I mean it in the original sense – I am a baseball fanatic. I follow baseball from Opening Day (what other sport really has anything capitalized along those lines?) to the last pitch of the World Series. I then follow it during the Hot Stove season, keeping track of who signed what free agent, which team got the better of trades. I mark the date that pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training (note the capitalization again – and, by the way, it’s Feb. 14 for the Braves). I followed the Bravos from the time that Hank Aaron, Joe Torre, and Felipe Alou moved down from Milwaukee, through good times and bad – though I don’t know how many more 106-loss seasons I could have endured, so thank Heaven for what began in 1991. I even follow the Seattle Mariners, for crying out loud, to see how Ichiro does for my Rotisserie team (the fabulous King Ranch Bullies, for those keeping score at home). My Dad told me once that if I could have majored in baseball stats, I would have been Phi Beta Kappa (sorry, Dad, no such luck). I am, you see, a nut about baseball. 
A 
I have been puzzled lately by the lack of a clear early frontrunner in the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary. After all, in seven weeks it will be 2011 and we will be one year away from the first primaries. 
On the night of the midterm elections in 1998, several network and cable news channels cut to live feeds from the lawn of the Governor’s Mansion in Austin where reporters breathlessly informed America that Governor George W. Bush of Texas had been reelected convincingly and was now the favorite for the GOP nomination in 2000.
The State Newspaper’s reports about Neida Ortega, the woman who was responsible for the death of Columbia firefighter Chance Zobel were upsetting on so many different levels.
In today’s political climate, both Democrats and Republicans are quick to point out how the other party is ruining this country. Even our current President, until the recent shift in power in the House of Representatives, has been quick to point out the flaws of the prior administration. Then former President George W. Bush started making the talk show rounds in preparation of the release of his new book, which I feel is a must read. However, listening to him explain the reasons behind his “Katrina Debacle” and his “mishandling of the financial crisis” has been interesting but not what got my attention. What has been the most impressive of all his interviews has been his reasoning for why we have not heard a word from him over the last 22 months. 
SAD STORY 1
In honor of Veterans Day I would like to tell the story on one American Soldier. This is a story that was told to me over 20 years ago. I did not find out until a couple of days ago that I was the only person this soldier told this story to.
The Carolina Soapbox 