Archive for 2010

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR IN TENNESSEE LOSES AN ENDORSEMENT: Gun-rights leader switches support from McWherter to Haslam. “A prominent gun-rights supporter who surprised many Republicans by endorsing Democrat Mike McWherter for governor said today he has switched his support to Republican Bill Haslam. Bob Pope, who formerly operated gun shows and now publishes the Tennessee Patriot, said in an interview that he changed his mind after the McWherter campaign decided to bring in former President Bill Clinton for a rally and fundraiser.”

DEMOCRACY, WHISKEY, SEXY REDUX: Majority of Iraqis Oppose Obama’s Withdrawal. “Based on recent polling numbers, Iraqis want American soldiers to stay in their country more than the Americans do. . . . What happened? The surge is what happened. Contrary to what opponents of the surge said, the increased presence and aggressiveness of U.S. forces did not trigger a popular backlash because security visibly improved. The increased exposure to American forces likely also led to a certain degree of affection and respect as the anti-American myths were busted by reality.”

FRUGAL TENNESSEE: “Tennessee ranks last of the 50 states and Washington D.C. in terms of debt load. And this time, it’s a good thing. The state’s top officials are pretty proud of the recent ranking that shows for its size, Tennessee has less debt than any other state government.”

I wish the Democrats had nominated Phil Bredesen in 2008.

JERRY POURNELLE: None dare call it depression. “It’s not the output. It’s the people. Our output could be the sky’s the limit; but if large segments of the population are idle or do not feel as if they are contributing, it will change the nature of our population, the way we think and how we engage the world. I would worry less about not having enough steel than I would about not having enough steel-workers, if you get my drift.”

IOWAHAWK: Barack, Can We Talk? “It’s just that it just seems we haven’t had a chance to talk for a while. I mean, I know we’ve both been busy for the past year or so. You with your fundraisers and golfing and stuff, and me with all those appointments at the unemployment office. But you know I think it’s important in a relationship like ours to keep the lines of communication open.”

RECOMMENDED BY READER ARTHUR BARIE: War News Updates.

THE AUDACITY OF DOPE: Oval Office Rug Gets Quote Wrong. Hey, I thought only ignorant idiots like Bush made mistakes like this.

Plus, from the comments: “The arc of the clueless is long, but always bends toward embarrassment.”

SARAH PALIN, Make-up Artist. Okay, that’s big. I’ve let other people use my home TV studio, but I’ve never done their makeup for them.

UPDATE: More Palin news.

I THINK WE’RE UNDERPUNISHING VIOLENT CRIME: The guy who killed a cashier at a cafeteria in Knoxville was shot by police, and in the story we learn this:

Chesney’s last bank robbery in December 2005 netted him $15,000 from the First Tennessee Bank on Millertown Pike. Police caught him within an hour and took the money back. Authorities at the time called him a suspect in at least two other robberies.

Chesney left prison in 2008 and remained on supervised release until his death.

Fewer than 3 years in jail for bank robbery?

IS THE GRAND DESIGN WITHIN OUR GRASP?

Don’t get cocky, kids. I’m with J.B.S. Haldane: “Now my own suspicion is that the Universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose.”