veeps

Nader announces Matt Gonzalez as his running mate

FORMER S.F. SUPERVISOR GONZALEZ IS CHOSEN FOR INDEPENDENT TICKET

By Patrick May
Mercury News

Article Launched: 02/29/2008 01:38:42 AM PST

Beginning a climb as steep as some of the streets in his hometown, former San Francisco Supervisor Matt Gonzalez signed on Thursday as running mate in Independent Ralph Nader's mid-stream - and many say, quixotic - bid for the White House. [article]

Although I know nothing about Matt Gonzalez, personally, I think this was a good move. I, for one, would like to know who the candidates would have for their running mate. Yeah, I know, the media says we don't vote based on the vice presidential candidate; we vote for the presidential candidate.

While that may be true having this information might make a difference in who becomes the party nominee. It might also tell us what kind of "deal" were made during the campaign process. If one of those candidates that dropped out of the race becomes the vice presidential pick we have the right to know what kind of deal was made to get that person to accept and "endorse" the presidential candidate. We all know that "deals" is how Washington works so why not make this "deal" now.

interesting?

house of reps bored

The democratic controlled United States House of Representatives must be horribly bored! Either that or they don't realize there is real business to do that is pertaining to the people who elected them. They are under the unfortunate impression that taking the Justice Department away from important investigations is in the peoples' best interest. How in the world are they going to prove or disprove Roger Clemens' honesty?

Justice Dept. Asked to Investigate Roger Clemens
New York Times - 1 hour ago
By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT A Congressional committee has asked federal law enforcement authorities to investigate whether Roger Clemens made false statements under oath about his use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Congress requests Clemens investigation Los Angeles Times
Congress asks Justice Department to investigate if Clemens lied ... New York Daily News
Guardian Unlimited - ABC News - Bloomberg - Reuters
all 1,164 news articles »

This congress, controlled by the democrats, is the most useless group of partisans I can remember. For the past seven (7) years they have complained about the Bust Justice Department no doing what it is supposed to do and now they are asking it to investigate Clemens. Congress needs to let the Justice Department do their job! And, Congress needs to get busy and do their job... for a change. The congressional democrats are constantly complaining about the Bush administrations ineptness or blaming the administration for something.

It appears to me that Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi just need to do their jobs and quit worrying about whether the administration is inept. What they have been doing is showing their ineptness as leaders in congress.

what's up with the Chiefs?

Chiefs to release Law, Bell, Reed, Dunn

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs continued their rebuilding process by telling four more veteran players they would be released, sources said.

One, cornerback Ty Law, was a starter last season. Two, linebacker Kendrell Bell and defensive tackle James Reed, are former starters while the fourth player, tight end Jason Dunn, was once a key reserve.

All of the players are over 30 except Bell, who turns 30 in July.

The Chiefs have either released or will release six veterans who had 2008 contracts. Offensive tackle John Welbourn and wide receiver Eddie Kennison, both also over 30, were previously released. [emphasis added]

I certainly understand that the Kansas City Chiefs are trying to "rebuild" with younger players. Apparently, you must tear down or destroy before you can "rebuild".

Just wondering... do anti-age-discrimination laws apply to sports corporations?

fun with the democrats

For the past seven (7) years we have heard the democratic party leadership complain and tell us that George Bush stole the 2000 election from Al Gore. Granted it was extremely close in Florida (about 500 votes) but Al Gore lost... no one stole it from him. Now that Ralph Nader has thrown his hit it the ring, again, all those pundits are now saying if he hadn't been in the 2000 race Gore would have won. What it amounts to is Gore lost and the democratic pundits have to blame something or someone!

Howard Dean, democratic party chairman, is insisting that he Federal Election Commission now allow McCain to withdraw from public financing of his campaign. Today, the party apparently has decided to file a complaint with the FEC. Unfortunately, the FEC will have difficulty addressing the issue because four (4) of the six (6) commission seats are vacant because the democratically controlled Senate has held up votes on the nominees. How ironic!

Another ironic thing about this situations is Howard Dean withdrew from public financing of his campaign in 2003. Of course, like most democratic politicians, his circumstances were different.

I still think Dean and the democratic leadership needs to be concentrating on how they are going to enforce the rules pertaining to delegates in Florida and Michigan not being seated at the convention. The Clintons are going to push and fight for their seating as hard as possible and are not above anything to get their way. The party should not back down from the rule!

nationalized healthcare

While the liberal democrats running for president keep touting nationalized health care other systems in the world are falling apart. I have posted before on this subject (Saturday, December 22, 2007; Free advertising is never good advertising).

This video is from Free Market Cure.

If nationalized health care is so great and is the only answer to health care in this country then people from other nationalized health care countries wouldn't be coming to this country for their health care.

Under Hillary's plan we will all be forced to purchase insurance from the government. If you don't purchase it then the government will garnish your pay. In all aspects her plan sounds like socialism! That may be why she couldn't even get a vote from Congress on it in 1993. If you listen to very much of Hillary it become apparent that she is clearly a socialist.

the haircut

One day a florist goes to a barber for a haircut.  After the cut he asked about his bill and the barber replies, 'I cannot accept money from you.  I'm doing community service this week.'  The florist was pleased and left the shop. 

When the barber goes to open his shop the next morning there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept money from you.  I'm doing community service this week.'  The cop is happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber goes to open up there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.

Later that day, a college professor comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept money from you.  I'm doing community service this week.' The professor is very happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber opens his shop, there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen different books, such as 'How to Improve Your Business' and 'Becoming More Successful'.

'Then, a Congressman comes in for a haircut, and when he goes to pay his bill the barber again replies ,'I cannot accept money from you.  I'm doing community service this week.'  The Congressman is very happy and leaves the shop. 

The next morning when the barber goes to open up, there are a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.

And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the members of our Congress.--

Vote carefully this year.

opinions and rumors

It appears to me that Obama will be the democratic nominee unless the super delegates take it away from him. He has won ten in a row. The Clinton campaign is depending on Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania to pull Hillary out of the ditch. I really don't think that will happen. It appears that Hillary is losing ground in Texas and Pennsylvania. With Teamsters endorsing Obama yesterday that will go a long way to eroding support in Ohio. It won't surprise me if Obama wins all three states but it is a must win for Hillary in order to keep her campaign alive.

Romney and Huckabee have suspended their campaigns. Now might be a good time for them to revive those campaigns, just to say they are still in the race even though they can't get enough delegates. The accusations made last night against McCain by the New York Times, whether true or not, will harm the McCain campaign. It is my belief that if he is the republican nominee the republicans will be giving up the White House. The democrats will turn this into a character race and there will be too many doubts about McCain.

One thing this story has done is begin to unite the conservatives, especially the conservative talk show hosts. They have been criticizing and haranguing McCain since he became the front runner. Now they are rallying to defend and support him. How fickle!

At this point it will not surprise me if McCain is forced to step aside and release his delegates either before or during the convention. This may sound far fetched but it is my prediction, especially if the accusers, the former aides, come forward or are disclosed. After the fiasco with Bill Clinton lying to the country and getting away with it the public is not ready to elect a president that may/may no be guilty of the same thing.

which is worse?

The Clintons are up in arms and attacking Obama for plagiarizing a speech made by a friend of his and not giving his friend credit. Apparently Obama had given him credit before but not in one particular instance. The friend has said he didn't have a problem with Obama using the speech.

In reality, I doubt that Obama's friend even wrote the speech. He probably had a speech writer that wrote it for him. Most politicians have speech writer so why don't they all give the speech writer credit for writing such a good speech?

If this is the best the Clintons have to go after Obama they have a pretty poor campaign staff and the race is definitely over. They should send Bill back to New York and let him get on with his sex life. Hillary might as well stop campaigning if she really thinks this is going to be an issue that gets her the nomination.

So which is worse, Obama using a friend's speech or Bill saying "I did not have sexual relations with that woman"?  

At the risk of plagiarisms, I have to write..."Give me a break!"... "What a fairytale!"

Refinery explosion

There was another refinery explosion; this one was in Big Springs, Texas. And the price of gasoline continues to spiral upward.

Have you wondered why refineries keep exploding? I sure have! It seems to me that over the past few years there have been numerous refineries that have been leveled. However, you don't hear much about new ones being built. As a matter of fact, I have only heard of one being built but I don't remember where it was. I do remember thinking that it was the first time I had ever heard of any being constructed.

We keep hearing of all these record profits the oil companies are experiencing. Why aren't they using some of these profits to build new refineries? Why build refineries when a shortage of gasoline would make the price spiral even higher.

one more nail driven

This is just one more nail in the defeat Hillary coffin. As I have predicted, it is all beginning to fall apart on the Clintons. You can be that they are mad as hell and are already planning their revenge for when they "take over" the White House. Remember, she is ready to go on "day-one" so these "traitors" better get ready... of course they are going to try to get revenge even when they don't win the White House back.

Super-delegate withdraws support for Clinton to back Obama

Suzanne Goldenberg in Washington

This article was first published on guardian.co.uk on Friday February 15 2008. It was last updated at 16:05 on February 15 2008.

Hillary Clinton's strategy of relying on high-ranking Democrats to keep her ahead of Barack Obama in the race for the presidential nomination is in jeopardy today after a leading figure of the civil rights era said he would switch sides to support her opponent.

John Lewis, a Georgia congressman who had been supporting Clinton, said he now planned to back Obama. The move from Lewis, one of Clinton's most prominent African-American supporters, could encourage other black leaders and Democratic so-called "super-delegates" to switch sides.

Lewis, like other Democratic members of Congress, governors and high-ranking members of the party, is one of the country's 796 super-delegates, who act as free agents at the nominating convention. Unlike normal delegates they are not chosen by primaries or caucuses. His defection could prove especially damaging for Clinton because of his moral authority. As a student in the early 1960s, Lewis was one of the leaders of the civil rights movement. [full article]

I just can't wait to hear what conservative talk radio has to say about this development. I bet they agree with me that the Clinton campaign is falling like a Japanese dive bomber in WWII.

President of Iran to pay landmark two-day visit to Baghdad

From NEWS.scotsman.com

• Published Date: 15 February 2008
• Source: The Scotsman
• Location: Scotland
• Related Topics: Iran

MAHMOUD Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, is to make a landmark visit to Baghdad for talks with Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister, and other officials.

The visit, on 2 and 3 March, will be the first by the president of the Islamic Republic, which is at loggerheads with many in the West over the causes of violence in Iraq as well as Tehran's nuclear programme.

Washington and London accuse Iran of helping Shiite militias in Iraq, by giving them training and weapons, including armour-piercing bombs known as explosively formed penetrators that have killed US and British troops. Tehran denies the charges.

Iran, a predominantly Shiite Muslim country, and Iraq fought an eight-year war in the 1980s in which hundreds of thousands were killed. Ties have improved since Saddam Hussein, a Sunni Arab, was ousted in the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and a Shiite Muslim-led government came to power in Baghdad. Both Mr Maliki and Jalal Talabani, the Iraqi president, have visited Iran. {Click the link above to read the entire story.)

Wouldn't it be too bad if the insurgent radical Islamic fascists sent a homicide bomber to greet Ahmadinejad? Sure would resolve some issues for the world.

Protect Israel and God's Chosen People!!

bill's running?

Sean Hannity reported and broadcast today on this radio program that Bill Clinton had a little slip while making a stump speech for Hillary. Apparently, during the speech lauding all of Hillary's accomplishments and qualifications he followed it up with "vote for me." After the slip he went on just like nothing had happened.

As I've said, voting for Hillary is a 2-for-1 vote. We could for the first time have co-presidents. (lol)

From all the on-line news stories it appears to me that Hillary is out of the race. She is busy badgering and condemning Obama. In the mean time Obama and McCain are getting an early start debating. Hillary has put all her eggs in the Ohio and Texas basket just as Giuliani put all his in the Florida basket. She might as well just throw in the towel, endorse Obama and "re-unite" the party.

Romney has decided to endorse McCain... I really hoped he would endorse Huckabee. Romney is obviously trying to be a good "party man." Maybe he is now shooting for Vice President. I have a feeling McCain has been cutting deals left and right to get endorsements. Who knows who would be what in his administration. To be quiet honest I think anyone will be better than Clinton (either one of them) or Obama.

potpourri predictions

In my post yesterday I said that Hillary would not back out of the MSNBC/NBC debate and I was correct:

Clinton MSNBC Debate Back On

By Howard Kurtz
Brian Williams and Tim Russert must be relieved.

After threatening for days to back out of a scheduled MSNBC debate on Feb. 26, Hillary Clinton's campaign said yesterday that she will show up for the Cleveland face-off against Barack Obama after all.

My other prediction pertaining to the Florida and Minnesota delegates being seated at the democratic convention will yet come true. Hillary would get most of those delegate because she won in those states. In Minnesota she was the ONLY democrat on the ballot. In Florida she campaign after she signed a pledge stating that she wouldn't. Conservative and liberal pundits are all saying the party can't seat the delegates, but the Clintons are used to special treatment and they will go after anyone that stands in the way of them, Bill and Hillary, regaining the White House. They will apply pressure and buy votes on the committee that decides if these expelled delegates will be seated. These delegates will be seated or the Clintons will cause the biggest "row" the democratic party has ever seen... and they will still get their way.

This could be the best thing to happen to the GOP and the republican nominee. While the democrats are fighting the republicans can say, "see they are polarizing even in their own party." This campaign season might just get interesting yet!

today's potpourri

Elevation

One of my favorite churches and pastors is Elevation Church and Steven Furtick. I've written about this church and pastor before but Sunday was the Church's Second Anniversary. Steven Furtick is the founder and lead pastor of the church. It has grown from the eight original families to attendance of 4,000 people at two campuses.

Why do I like this church and pastor? Pastor Furtick is one of the most excited, energetic, enthusiastic and charismatic followers of Christ that I have ever seen or heard. Every week I either watch Pastor Furtick via Internet or listen to the Podcast.

Take a few minutes and visit the Church web site or Pastor Furtick's blog. Take less than an hour and listen to a sermon.

Democratic Campaign

What a race and I'm not even a Democrat! It appears to me that Obama is trouncing Hillary. What's better, it appears that Hillary knows it and is beginning to run scared. Obviously, the money has started drying up a little and Bill spent too much time on the road "attacking." Most people don't like the attacks and are turned off by them. Now, she is taking up the call of attacks toward Obama. To me that is a sign of desperation.

As I have said in a prior post the "attack" on Chelsea was okay with me. Chelsea should expect these attacks if she is going to hit the campaign trail for her mother. Hillary has complained that NBC/MCNBC has treated her unfairly and demanded changes... isn't that just like her. She wants to be President of the greatest country on earth but she needs some special treatment. It's the "oh, woe is me" syndrome. Think that will work with Iran, North Korea, China or radical fascist Islamists? I can just hear her telling Ahmadinejad, "You're being mean to me, you need to be nice to me." Yeah, right!

Republican Campaign

Washington State party chairman has taken it upon himself to declare Senator McCain the winner of their caucus this past weekend. Unfortunately, he has done this without counting all the votes. McCain was approximately 200 votes ahead of Huckabee but there was 1,500 votes left to count. This sounds, to me, to be Nixon tactics and back smoke filled room nomination. The RNC should be forcing a recount and removing this state chairman from office.

Conservative talk show hosts and pundits tried to force Romney down our throats as the "only true conservative" and that is what turned me off to him. Most of these people repeatedly said they would not endorse a candidate and would support the Republican nominee. What they really meant is they would not endorse a candidate but would support only Romney as the nominee. I feel they weren't true to their word and still don't understand all the criticism of them.

Some of the political pundits and "conservative" leaders are saying that if McCain wins the nomination they will sit at home and not vote. Good for them! That shows an excellent example of our American citizenship duty. I was always told if you don't vote you don't have the right to criticize. As for me, any of them I hear that don't vote won't get me ear anymore. People like Ann Coulter can't survive if true voting citizens don't listen to them. I find it hard to believe that any of these conservative pundits would actually follow through and not vote.

Huckabee says he is in it till the delegate count is reached by either he or McCain. "Mathematically" Huckabee can't get the number of delegates he needs to be the nominee. He says he doesn't know about the math but he believes in miracles. In this case, a miracle would be for McCain to make a major faux pas, probably in a speech. That would surprise me since he speaks so slowly and thoughtfully.

In my opinion, Huckabee is the only "true conservative" left in the race. I agree with virtually all of his positions on the issues but he scares me regarding taxes. I'm not sure if he would resist raising taxes. But, on the other had I disagree with McCain on virtually all issues except the war on radical Islamic fascists.

I guess what it boils down to is I'm flipping back to supporting Huckabee even though he probably can't win the nomination. Maybe a miracle will happen!

Iran planning more rocket tests

Associated Press , THE JERUSALEM POST
Feb. 11, 2008

Iran will launch two more research rockets into space before putting its first domestically built satellite into orbit, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday, claiming the first rocket launch earlier this month was a success.

The hard-line president, speaking at a rally marking the 29th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, said with the rocket launches and the recent unveiling of its first major space center, his country had the ability to send an Iranian-made satellite into orbit, hopefully this summer.

"Having a presence in space is the need for a nation to enjoy a glorious life," Ahmadinejad said. "Today, we possess all the fundamental sections needed to launch a satellite into space. We built all [of the sections] ourselves."

Iran launched its first research rocket on February 4 when it also announced the space center and its first indigenous satellite - called Omid, or Hope.

Iran has long declared a goal of developing a space program, but the same technology used to put satellites in space can also be used to deliver warheads. The country's space program, like its nuclear power program, has provoked unease abroad.

Despite the anxiety over Iran's space program, it is not exactly clear how developed it is, and analysts have expressed doubts about such technological achievements announced by the country in the past.

Iran has said it wants to put its own satellites into orbit to monitor natural disasters in the earthquake-prone nation and improve its telecommunications. Iranian officials also point to America's use of satellites to monitor Afghanistan and Iraq and say they need similar abilities for their security.

Iranian officials have said the country wants to launch a satellite on an indigenous rocket and indicated they are developing a Shahab-4 missile to do that. Iran's powerful ballistic missile, the Shahab-3, is believed to have a range of at least 1,300 kilometers (800 miles), putting Israel and much of the Middle East in range. In November, Iran said it had manufactured a new missile, the Ashoura, with a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles).

Iran hopes to launch four more satellites by 2010, the government has said.

I do not think Iran should be allowed to launch any more rockets or develop a space program. The United States should shoot down these rockets and any others the Iranians launch. The entire purpose of rocket launching is anti-Israel and should not be tolerated by any rational country that is part of the world community.

Israel must be protected!

political opinion

Kansas poem

A Friend from Oklahoma email this to me:

It's winter in Kansas
And the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At twenty-five below.

Oh, how I love Kansas
when the snow's up to your butt
You take a breath of winter
And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around
I could never leave Kansas
'Cause I'm frozen to the ground!!

Hillary hopes you have forgotten. Have you?

Hillary Clinton has been telling America that she is the most qualified candidate for president based on her "record," which she says includes her eight years in the White House as First Lady - or "co-president" - and her seven years in the Senate. Here is a reminder of what that record includes:

1. As First Lady, Hillary assumed authority over Health Care Reform, a process that cost the taxpayers over $13 million. She told both Bill Bradley and Pat Moynahan, key votes needed to pass her legislation, that she would "demonize "anyone who opposed it. But it was opposed; she couldn't even get it to a vote in a Congress controlled by her own party. (And in the next election, her party lost control of both the House and Senate.)
2. Hillary assumed authority over selecting a female Attorney General. Her first two recommendations (Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood) were forced to withdraw their names from consideration, and then she chose Janet Reno. Janet Reno has since been described by Bill himself as "my worst mistake."
3. Hillary recommended Lani Guanier for head of the Civil Rights Commission. When Guanier's radical views became known, her name had to be withdrawn.
4. Hillary recommended her former law partners, Web Hubbell, Vince Foster, and William Kennedy for positions in the Justice Department, White House staff, and the Treasury,respectively. Hubbell was later imprisoned, Foster committed suicide, and Kennedy was forced to resign.
5. Hillary also recommended a close friend of the Clintons, Craig Livingstone, for the position of director of White House security. When Livingstone was investigated for the improper access of up to 900 FBI files of Clinton enemies (Filegate) and the widespread use of drugs by White House staff, both Hillary and her husband denied knowing him. (FBI agent Dennis Sculimbrene Confirmed in a Senate Judiciary Committee in 1996 both the drug use and Hillary's involvement in hiring Livingstone. After that, the FBI closed its White House Liaison Office, after serving seven presidents for over thirty years.)
6. In order to open "slots" in the White House for her friends the Harry Thomasons (to whom millions of dollars in travel contracts could be awarded), Hillary had the entire staff of the White House Travel Office fired; they were reported to the FBI for "gross mismanagement" and their reputations ruined. After a thirty-month investigation, only one, Billy Dale, was charged with a crime - mixing personal money with White House funds when he cashed checks. The jury acquitted him in less than two hours.
7. Another of Hillary's assumed duties was directing the "bimbo eruption squad" and scandal defense: ---- She urged her husband not to settle the Paula Jones lawsuit.. ---- She refused to release the Whitewater documents, which led to the appointment of Ken Starr as Special Prosecutor After $80 million dollars of taxpayer money was spent, Starr's investigation led to Monica Lewinsky, which led to Bill lying about and later admitting his affairs.

Also,

• Then they had to settle with Paula Jones after all.
• And Bill lost his law license for lying to the grand jury.
• And Bill was impeached by the House.
• And Hillary almost got herself indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice (she avoided it mostly because she repeated, "I do not recall," "I have no recollection," and "I don't know" 56 times under oath).
• Hillary accepted the traditional First Lady's role of decorator of the White House at Christmas, but in a unique Hillary way. In 1994, for example, The First Lady's Tree in the Blue Room (the focal point each year) was Decorated with drug paraphernalia, sex toys, and pornographic ornaments, all personally approved by Hillary as the invited artists' depictions of the theme, "The Twelve Days of Christmas."
• Hillary wrote "It Takes a Village," demonstrating her Socialist viewpoint.
• Hillary decided to seek election to the Senate in a state she had never lived in. Her husband pardoned FALN terrorists in order to get Latino support and the New Square Hassidim to get Jewish support. Hillary also had Bill pardon her brother's clients, for a small fee, to get financial support. {He also pardoned his own brother on drug charges... you know, the one who likes to repeatedly use the "N" word.}
• Then Hillary left the White House, but later had to return $200,000 in White House furniture, China, and artwork she had stolen.
• In the campaign for the Senate, Hillary played the "woman card" by portraying her opponent (Lazio) as a bully picking on her.
• Hillary's husband further protected her by asking the National Archives to withhold from the public until 2012 many records of their time in the White House, including much of Hillary's correspondence and her calendars. (There are ongoing lawsuits to force the release of those records.)
• As the junior Senator from New York , Hillary has passed no major legislation. She has deferred to the senior Senator (Schumer) to tend to the needs of New Yorkers, even on the hot issue of medical problems of workers involved in the cleanup of Ground Zero after 9/11.
• Hillary's one notable vote, supporting the plan to invade Iraq , she has since disavowed.

Quite a resume, isn't it? Sounds more like an organized crime family..

is Chelsea being "pimped out?"

Sure she is being "pimped out" along with the children of any other candidate that is stumping for the parent. MCNBC has suspended David Shuster for making the comment, but it is the truth, in my opinion.

The LA Times reports:

Shuster apologized Friday morning on MSNBC for the term he applied to Chelsea. He issued a second apology on the MSNBC show "Tucker," where he had uttered his comment while acting as guest host.

Hillary Clinton's campaign staff has been critical of what it considers a hostile attitude toward her in MSNBC's coverage, and the Shuster incident brought matters to a head. 

Other media outlets including Sean Hannity have criticized Shuster saying that the children should be "off-limits" to media criticism. I disagree. If Mom and/or Dad are putting them out there to stump and speak for them then Mom, Dad and children have to accept all the criticism. If Mom and Dad want to protect the children from political attacks then keep them off the campaign trail.

Hillary says she may shun future debates sponsored by MSNBC/NBC because of the comment. She is bluffing; she isn't about to allow a debate with Obama the only democrat on stage presenting his case; she isn't stupid... she just wants some special concessions. After all she is Hillary Clinton and the Clintons always get special treatment.

In my opinion MSNBC and Shuster made a mistake by apologizing for the "pimped out" comment. I don't think an apology was needed or necessary.

To read the full LA Times article cited here, just click here.

early mentor

Thirty five years ago when I started in the banking business Martha was one of my mentors. This was long before "mentoring" was a buzz word or the thing to do. We didn't always agree but she was patient with a know-it-all 19 year old and taught me a great deal about business.

I have quoted her often in my 35 years of banking. One of my favorite pieces of advice she gave me was an explanation of which customers walking through the door of the bank were important. She always said the guy coming in in a business suit with his shoes shined looking like money could wait a few minutes... he was there for a loan. The guy in his overall and boots with cow shit on his boots took priority. He doesn't wait, get up and and help him immediately... he is there to make a deposit and probably a large deposit. Over the years this has been proven true to me numerous times.

Not often in life does a person have the opportunity to be taught by a dedicated, passionate professional like Martha. That dedications is what too many business are missing today.

Martha was also passionate about her husband Kenneth. In her eyes Kenneth could do no wrong and he was a priority in her life every day.

Martha Donley

STERLING - Martha Donley, 81, died Feb. 1, 2008, in the Sterling Presbyterian Manor, Sterling.

She was born Feb. 22, 1926, in Sterling, Okla. the daughter of David Henry and Myrtle Mae Hayes Woods. She attended Sterling schools and graduated from Sterling High School. She went to work as a secretary at the Fort Sill Army Base in Lawton. In 1959, she went to work for Woodward Savings and Loan as a bookkeeper, later as a cashier, and retired as vice president in 1989. In 2005, she moved to Rice County.

She was a member of the First Christian Church of Woodward, Okla.

On Dec. 26, 1944, she married Kenneth Dean Donley in Higgins, Texas. He died Dec. 19, 1982.

Survivors include: two sons, Larry Donley, Sterling, Terry Donley, Russellville, Ark.; a brother, Jack Woods, Dodge City; a sister, Joyce McDonald, Elk City; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Janice Mae.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the First Christian Church in Woodward with the Rev. Chuck Shorow presiding. Burial will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery with the Billings Funeral Home, Woodward, Okla. in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be sent to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Parkinson Division, in care of the funeral home.

(Hutchinson News, February 5, 2008)

Giants win; we all win

I am not and never have been a NY Giants fan but I am so happy they won the Superbowl last night. I am even less of a fan of the Patriots than I am of the Giants.

I noticed when the Patriots made their last touchdown the announcers started assuming and talking about their "perfect" season. They commented that Tom Brady was the greatest quarterback. They had already wrapped up the game and were just congratulating and patting each other on the back. Once again the media was wrong!

The Patriots started out the season as a loser team by cheating and they ended the season as a loser team. Personally, I don't think they should have been allowed to play in the Superbowl. Sure there were fines paid, but what does this say to our youth... cheat, if you get caught you can pay a fine and all is well. That isn't the message I think our youth should be left with. Cheating is wrong, fine or no fine.

My Chiefs had a losing season, Miami had a losing season but in my book... both teams are bigger and better winners than New England is. As cheaters they are the worst team in the league!

This is why "we all win" because the Giants won without cheating!