On...Hugo Chavez

President as Socialist Talk Show Host

I encourage everyone to take some time to watch PBS's new episode of Frontline on Venezuela's "Presidente" Hugo Chavez. The official title is "The Hugo Chavez Show." It is utterly fascinating and unbelievable. It touches upon so many issues just not on an international scale but on a human scale. Just watch it.

If you can't DVR it (I'm sure it will be replayed often) you can watch it in chapter clips on You Tube. I look forward to any discussion (in person or online).

PART ONE OF THE HUGO CHAVEZ STORY

The first part is mostly overview and background on his rise to power. The middle is the most interesting, once he's in power.

On...A Couple of Quotes

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."

~Thomas Jefferson


"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism."

~ Winston Churchill

On...Cliff Lee Part II

Mowing 'em down

Yes baseball is over for the winter, but it's award season and the bright spot of the Cleveland Indians this past year, Cliff Lee, has won the American League Cy Young for best pitcher. Well deserved. Congratulations to this lefty who was sent to the minors in the 07 season only to return healthy and dominant. He finished the year 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA. This was also the first time the Indians have won the AL Cy Young in back to back years. Hopefully 09 will be an improvement in the standings.

More On CLIFF LEE

On....Music

For the new music lovers out there I recommend checking out the following singles that have been getting a lot of play from my various music devices.

"The Geeks Were Right" by The Faint

"I'm Good, I'm Gone" by Lykke Li

"Song We Sang Away" by Low vs. Diamond

"Human" by The Killers

"The World Come on" by The Dandy Warhols

"Krieg" by Farin Urlaub Racing Team

On...RNC Chair...from Michigan?

I don't know this guy at all but the Michigan Republican Party is a huge joke and has been since I've lived in this state (1993) I mean really pathetic. What makes anyone think Saul Anuzis can run the National Party?

Granted I will give the guy the benefit of the doubt and maybe he has good "national" ideas but really. The GOP can't win anything in this state. No organization, no communication, no ideas, no focus, and apparently no candidates, and when they get a half decent one (Michael Bouchard) they have no idea what to do with them or how to really support them. The Michigan Republican Party is provincial and stagnant. And if anyone can prove otherwise please let me know.

NEWS BLURB

On...Pirates

Kristen B had requested once more info on the Somalian pirates. Well, here's the latest news story I've come across.

ROYAL NAVY IN FIREFIGHT WITH PIRATES

On...Short Stories: A March Chore

Those who follow the blog know that I have shared original poems in the past. I haven't published any short stories here because they were too long and narrow when posted. Now that I have discovered Google Docs I can post them there then link them from here.

So here goes...

I wrote A March Chore about eight years ago or so. I've dusted it off and updated it. I think it is much better now than it was. Hopefully you will enjoy it too. It is infused with melancholy, but since we had our first snowfall of the year today I find it fitting to publish it now.

Hitchen's Take On...Reality

From Slate.com.

Christopher Hitchens's take on The (Non) Honeymoon of President Elect Obama and a little historical insight on his election.

Barack to Reality

Obama's victory didn't magically eliminate America's problems and enemies.

By Christopher HitchensPosted Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, at 11:30 AM ET

On...Hits

FYI: I had a surge in visits to my McKinley Assassination Site around the Election. I had over 142 hits on election day alone--the highest single day yet. I guess people had the election and Presidents on their minds.

From Oct 8th until Nov. 7th I have had over 1,700 hits on that site. The blog has chalked up about 170.

On...swept away

There is something heartbreaking when just about everything you supported is swept away.

From...SNL

If you missed John McCain on SNL here's the link to his QVC opener. Funny stuff.

McCAIN on SNL

Don't forget to VOTE tomorrow!