One of the surprises of the Iowa caucuses last night was the performance of former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum. As a Pennsylvania resident I thought I had seen the last of him. After all, when he ran for reelection in 2006 he lost handily to Democrat Bob Casey, Jr. by a margin of 59-41, a spanking that was the highest … Continue reading
Texas Governor Rick Perry entered the race with quite a splash this weekend. He even managed to upstage Michele Bachmann’s rousing success in the Iowa Straw Poll, where somehow getting a mere 4,800 conservative Iowans to like you means you are qualified to be President. I wager the student body president of the University of Iowa … Continue reading
UPDATE AUGUST 20, 2011 - It’s been reported in state controlled Iranian media that Josh Fattel and Shane Bauer have been sentenced to 8 years imprisonment. In several past cases, the assigning of a long prison term was followed by a reduction in sentence and early release. It remains to be seen if that is the case … Continue reading
Since bin Laden’s body was allegedly dumped (excuse me, buried) at sea the conspiracy theories have begun. Proponents of these theories are obviously referred to as “Deathers.” Here are some of the juicier stories floating around: 1) Bin Laden was caught two years ago but his body was frozen so his death could be announced at … Continue reading
With the rise of e-books I have reached a crossroads in life. Do we as a society throw away centuries of reading real ink on real paper for the newfangled devices known as e-readers? What a quandary and what exciting times we live in to witness such new technological wonders. Now I know how my sainted mother felt when permanent … Continue reading
Yesterday the Arizona state legislature passed a new law requiring that all candidates for president be circumcised and provide a certificate to that effect. If they are unable to offer said certificate they will have to undergo an inspection before the Arizona Surgeon General to prove that they have in fact been clipped. The bill requiring candidates to expose … Continue reading
UPDATE: Paul started his run on Friday, April 1st. We were part of an enthusiastic crowd that was there to send him off in a blinding snowstorm which seemed to be an April Fool’s Day Joke played by Mother Nature. Paul with all his supplies The 1st mile, only 999 to go You can track … Continue reading
Hi folks, I’m wearing my curmudgeon hat today and, as you can see, it’s a little tight so please bear with me. I was eating breakfast at a diner yesterday when I noticed a cute three-year old boy sitting at the table next to me. He was playing with the little cream containers and then tossing them on the … Continue reading
Don’t order a Black and Tan. Now that wasn’t so difficult. I wish I had read this before I left for my recent trip to Ireland. Unfortunately I learned this lesson, as I so often do, the hard way. (Continue reading)
The following was passed along to me by a reader from the great state of Ohio. Thanks Rod. 1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country. 2. The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country. 3. The New York Times is … Continue reading
On a recent trip to Omaha, Nebraska I visited my old friends Frank and Jan. I don’t think Jan will like that description so let me rephrase that. I visited my long time friends Frank and Jan. One of their claims to fame is that they live on the same street as Warren Buffett. Now … Continue reading
Belfast – 2011 I just returned from Belfast, a city that has suffered through the “Troubles” since the 1960’s. Due to rising violence, in 1969 city government started building walls between Catholic and Protestant sections. They were called “peaceline” barriers. That clever name reminded me of the Berlin Wall. When the East German communist government … Continue reading
I have spent several decades traveling around America in search of the best slow smoked meat. This quest has led me on various barbecue pilgrimages, mostly throughout the south, home to some of the finest barbecue in America. Since I’m a yankee living in the BBQ deprived north I truly appreciate these trips. However, the one place … Continue reading
It is mind numbing to watch the Republicans and Democrats argue over who should continue to receive the Bush tax cuts. The Republicans believe that everyone should continue to pay less than their share to a bankrupt Uncle Sam. Democrats feel that only those making under $250,000 should benefit. They state that the tax cuts should only go to … Continue reading
The expression that there are two sides to every story is never truer than at the site of Custer’s famous Last Stand. Even the site has had two names; it was originally named after the vanquished George Armstrong Custer. In 1991, recognizing modern sensibilities, President George H. W. Bush signed into law the name change … Continue reading
Look Ma, no hands In an effort to fight impending water shortages and help contribute to a cleaner planet, the Environmental Protection Agency is mandating the installation of waterless water fountains in all federal buildings. EPA spokeswoman Carrie Nowicki said, “we have already installed flushless urinals in many of our buildings and the water savings have been tremendous. I’ve personally never used … Continue reading