With the race for the Tennessee Republican Gubernatorial nomination heating up and all three campaigns going on the offensive, I thought it was a great time to lighten the mood of the debate a bit.  Here are a few videos sent my way by a reader that he and his friends/colleagues put together.  Enjoy.

Mayor Haslam… I really hope you have a sense of humor…

Hat Tip …Fred Nurk

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Bill on his Experience and Temperament

A Familiar Conservative?

Bill On the Issues

Why He Should be our Next Governor

Bill on Tough Times…

Back in February (February 2nd to be exact) – Groundhog’s Day, I offered up this trivial little piece of journalistic nonsense to break up the monotony of “reporting” on the health care debate and our ongoing economic funk where I criticized the four-legged rabies courier for his general lack of weather prognosticating talents… among other things.

I write now on the other side of said “debate” in the aftermath of a now expanded federal bureaucracy, and still very much in an economic quagmire, not to rescind my previous comments about my hatred for the aforementioned “land beaver / woodchuck / whistle-pig” but simply to admit that this little vermin was right for once.  I won’t let my bitterness about the prolonged cold or even the unfortunate circumstances that we now find ourselves in regarding nationalized health care and continued calls for federal intervention in the marketplace detract from my acknowledgment of his accuracy – or my happiness that Spring is now upon us.  Much of the nation did in fact experience six more weeks of Winter and still large portions of this great nation are just now climbing out of the depths of the Cold and Flu season.  The Mid-Atlantic region has simply traded said winter weather for flooding and torrential rains, but the possibility of fish swimming in basements now eight weeks out wasn’t put to the furry little creature as a question in the first place now was it?  So how can we blame the little fella for that?  Unintended consequences I suppose…  Nevertheless, I am sorry for doubting you Phil.  You may be more accurate than a coin flip or a gaggle of Al Gore’s scientists after all.  Go ahead and pat yourself on the back.  You are now the Valedictorian of Summer School.

I am presently enjoying 80 degree weather and feel for those less fortunate.  I checked Weather.com earlier and was happy to see that Punxsutawney has a “High” of 75 today as well – which led me to wondering if that little marmot is happy to see Spring come too?  Is he basking in the warmth of the burgeoning Summer with his fat little belly soaking up the rays, or is he nestled angrily in that stupid little stump he calls home every February 2nd bitter and angry that his prediction didn’t play out past the six week threshold?  Maybe there really is a dark side to this rodent.  Could he really wish such ill-will upon the people of this great nation that he could secretly hope winter extends long after his six week prediction?  Could he?  Would he?

Wouldn’t such a development give credibility to his clairvoyance?  Wouldn’t it bring us back to Punxsutawney next year with greater expectations for and reliance upon his abilities?

Could this “adorable” little animal really want Winter to extend well into the traditionally Spring months?  Now I don’t want to get political with Old Punx Phil on you, but that would follow the model set out by so many residing just up the road in Washington.  Not that I am elevating Dr. Phil to the status of our elected representatives or anything – or lowering him to their level as the case may be… I’m just saying.  It works for them, so why couldn’t it work for Phil?  If he proves to be correct in the demise of Spring flowers, wouldn’t his credibility be elevated in the hearts and minds of the lunatics that descend upon PA every February?  Wouldn’t that give credence to the Town of Punxsutawney and its efforts at promoting their mascot / patron saint / livelihood?

I for one will endeavor to take the more optimistic point of view for once in my life, and will assume that that little rat bastard is happy that Spring is finally upon us.  I happen to be enjoying the warm weather, and it makes me feel a little warm and cozy inside to think of that little harvester back at work in search of food rather than being spoon-fed by his caretakers from the municipality of Punxsutawney.  A little self respect earned from an honest days work Phil.  I’m glad you’re back at it.  I like to see it.  Who needs those men in the tuxedo tails and goofy hats anyways?  Teach a man to fish and all that…

“Work and acquire, and thou hast chained the wheel of Chance” ….. Emerson

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UPDATE:

On a related PA note… back in February I suggested – in an effort to prove that I didn’t hate Pennsylvania outright – that anyone in shouting distance of the 41st Happiest state should check out a quaint little restaurant in the Town of New Hope called Karla’s.  A few readers had been to this establishment and confirmed my review, and I have recently been informed that it now has a sister operation that opened yesterday – Zoubi Cakes and Catering – undoubtedly in honor of a noteworthy holiday or at least something more venerable than Groundhog’s Day.  I have yet to sample the fare, but if you happen to swing in and mention that I pointed you in their direction… maybe they’ll throw me a an apple torte or a or a sweet potato pie for my efforts.  Enjoy!

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Cartoons via Colorado Independent & Hope N Change Cartoons

A bet is a bet… and once again our Chief Prognosticator incorrectly chose the victor of another sporting event, so its time to pay up.  In a friendly wager with Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, the President promised to send a case of Yuengling to Canada if the neighbors to the North were victorious in Sunday’s Gold Medal Hockey contest at the Olympics – and if the Americans brought home the Gold, Harper would have had to send some Molsons the direction of our little presidential drinker.  Well by now you know how that game turned out, so President Obama has to pay up.  (In fairness, there is some contention over whether the President chose Yuengling or Prime Minister Harper, and I think it makes more sense for the President to have to buy Molson; but last I checked both sides have to agree on a wager, so I really don’t give a damn who was buying what.  He still chose Yuengling)

Ignoring the point that the President is quickly becoming the unluckiest charm out there in the world of sports, we will focus solely on the beer of choice of our wonderful president.  I for one love Yuengling.  I’d even go so far as to say its my favorite beer.  I wasn’t aware; however, of why I should have loved the brew even if it tasted like a mixture of bacon grease and day old coffee.

Apparently Yuengling is a non-union shop.  Newsworthy?  Probably not – except for the fact that it used to be and the President of Yuengling, Dick Yuengling Jr., went to his employees at “America’s Oldest Brewery” and told them that if they didn’t drop the union nonsense, he’d have to close the doors and deprive the world – and me – of my favorite beer.  And guess what those deeply oppressed / union-protected employees did?  They saved their jobs and dropped the union.

I bet Bammy’s having one hell of a time explaining this wager to his boys over at SEIU….

From the Beer Advocate

This guy was devastated…

Since “I will try to be brief” was the catch phrase of the day… I will try to be brief.  For those of you that want to hear what I have to say about specific portions of today’s little gathering, I’d suggest you take a look at this…. I commented live as I was watching it.  From a more general perspective, here are a few observations I had about the event as well as a few things I learned from watching it….

1.  Apparently Republicans HAVE offered plans, proposals, and ideas to the Dems.  Pelosi, Biden, and Obama admitted that much today.  Somewhat peculiar considering all that we have heard from them was that Republicans had nothing to offer.

2.  The President is a pompous ass.  He thinks he is the smartest, most omniscient man on the face of the Earth, and he alone has the answers to the health care dilemma.

3.  Nancy Pelosi was the only Democrat – save for President Obama – who failed to stay on message with the act that was this day.  She just couldn’t end the day without showing her mean face – which thanks to plastic surgery is only slightly distinguishable from her “normal” face.

4.  Representative John Dingall makes Robert Byrd look young and Ted Kennedy look full of life…

5.  This President – in a day –  brought the Presidency down in stature about 50 notches.  This little sideshow was degrading to the office in every way imaginable.  If I wanted a parliamentary system, I’d move to a country that liked the other futbol.  For those of you who will call that humility and call this unprecedented… watch the summit.  He was anything but humble.  He as imperial as Queen Elizabeth and as defiant as Henry VIII.

6.  Lamar Alexander and Marsha Blackburn redeemed themselves in my book.  Lamar because he let me know he was alive and Marsha because she broke the stalemate in there and threw a few haymakers.  She may not be the brightest bulb in the bunch but she may have the biggest marbles… That should make most Tennesseans feel better about that whole Al Gore thing.

7.  Paul Ryan is the real deal on health care.  He’s a bit of a geek and when you get him off this topic – he withers a bit – but the dude was on point today.  Hands down the biggest player in the room.  The Dems clearly came in with a plan to shut him up by talking over him in his first statements.  He may have saved the day with his second go round.

8.  Mitch McConnell was there so I’m told.  I saw a few pictures to prove it.

9. John McCain is a bitter little dude.  He is very much stuck in a perpetual Election 2008 mentality.  And does he really think that “We” (as in McCain and Obama) made joint promises to the American people?  Spare me the “We” made the promise to “change Washington” crap.  I thought it was you and Palin on the ticket.  I was actually happy when the arrogant one reminded you that you lost the election.

10.  Tom Coburn knows too much about this topic not to have consulted a better hair dresser before his appearance today.  Dude’s feathered bangs and frosted tips made it next to impossible to take him serious even when he was one of the most knowledgeable men in the room.

11.  John Boehner may not be the most skilled politician to ever walk Capitol Hill but he can lay down the “Hammer” with the best of them.  Maybe the nickname Hammer needs to be revisited.  I think he may have to lose the tanning bed though before I’m willing to call him that because the excessive UV rays already have me thinking he’s the next Dancing with the Stars sensation.

12.  Charlie Rengel is funny.  Funny looking, funny sounding, and I’d venture to guess – funny smelling. Oh and he’s in a heap of trouble… busted for ethics violations… No wonder President Obama was reluctant to let him talk…

13.  Eric Cantor is kind of a nerd.  That whole bringing the entire bill there thing is a bit played out.  When the camera caught him getting up and leaving the room I knew he was up to something.  He’s half the age of the rest of those old bastards.  No way he was taking the first restroom break.

`14.  Max Baucus has a speech impediment.

15.  Mitch McConnell likes to keep time.  More than he likes to talk… Maybe he should apply for that speed reading judge position that just opened up at the Capitol Library…

16.  A few of the Representatives I’d never heard of reminded me why I’ve never heard of them.

17.  Chuck Schumer makes me throw things when he talks… Why does he sound like the shady lawyer from every episode of the crappy Law and Order.

18.  If Charles Boustany was not a doctor, we would have never heard his name EVER again after last year’s rebuttal.  I bet he’s hoping this thing drags out for a few more years.

19.  Kathleen Sebelius is a good dresser – AND she used to be a governor…..

20.  Dick Durbin thinks the current health care system engages in discrimination… Tom Harkin calls it segregation….

21.  Representative Louise Slaughter is “succinct and pretty ‘timely‘” – hopefully like her career

22.  Joe Biden drinks too much.  He rambles a lot.  Even the President fiddles while he talks.

23.  Jay Rockefeller’s son doesn’t /didn’t have health insurance.

24.  President Obama is the only one allowed to use “talking points.”

25.  The President, ALL the senators, and ALL the congressmen in attendance know real people; they write them letters frequently; and they have all heard sad stories that prove their plan for health care is the right one and NONE of them have anyone in their respective, districts, states, or voting base that disagree with them.

26.  Henry Waxman likes to scare old people.

27.  Peter Roskam knew Obama way back when…

28.  Chuck Grassley thinks the CBO is God “around here”

29.  Everyone loves Tom Coburn’s idea about Secret shoppers – or secret patients as they call them outside of the retail / restaurant world – realllllll novel idea folks – brilliant.  I don’t know how Abercrombie and Fitch beat you to that one.

And Last but not least……

30.  John McCain makes me smile when he laughs…. for all the wrong reasons…

Just in case you don’t believe me (ass) here’s the video recap. Most of it is here in its entirety, but I have no doubt you will get tired/bored of it by Part Two….  If you’d rather hear a better explanation of the shitshow that was today… head on over to my boy Russ’s site and see how he handled a worthless fiasco like this one with a tennis ball and a baseball glove...

Part One:

Part Two:

Part Three

Part Four

Via Memeorandum

I’m stealing this video from The Classic Liberal who I do believe lifted it from The LRC Blog.  I thought you might enjoy it.  I have a feeling this thing may go viral.

Have a look. Pelosi in the background is by far the best part of this clip.

I am the TaxMan.  If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat.  If you take a walk, I will tax your feet.  I am the TaxMan.”

9EQP4UBBC64V

As someone who is still relatively new to the blogging world, I have to admit that it has been a strange transition for me to find my news and my political entertainment – if you will – from the forum that is the Internet.  I like to hear the tone of people’s voices; their delivery; and the conviction in their statements.  I think you can learn more from hearing how a man says something than you can from actually listening to what it is he is saying.  I have been a fan and supporter of the talk radio format for as long as I can remember – I think in large part because of the fact that you can connect with a radio personality in a manner rarely found in any other medium.  You are engaged in listening rather than reacting or being distracted by other stimuli.  There are no fancy sets, hot women, video clips, or fancy graphics.  Its just the person on the other end of the frequency sharing a message with you, and I spent many a lunch break, late night, or early morning studying and/or working while listening to live broadcasts, tapes, or podcasts from my favorite conservative personalities.

When I moved to New York for law school, I was introduced to a talk radio personality that would take my love affair with conservative radio to a whole new level.  Surrounded by liberals for the first time in my life as a product of the Bible Belt, I sought daily refuge in the form of conservative radio.  One day while finding comfort in the voices of sane and rational minds on 770 (WABC), I heard my first broadcast offered up by Mark Levin.  From that day forward, I understood why they called him the “Great One.”

Levin is tough; he’s funny; he says things we all think to ourselves and would rarely say out loud – let alone say into a microphone.  From his hidden bunker somewhere under the brick and steel of a nondescript building Mark Levin is truly the Leader of all things conservative.

His masterpiece Men in Black: How the Supreme Court is Destroying America was the only non-law school-related book (magazine, article, webpage, newsletter, newspaper, pamphlet, or non-compulsory written word) I read during the three years of “higher education.”  Some may say that makes me an idiot or a simpleton.  I say it makes me selective.

Anyhow, you didn’t come here to hear me rant about my appreciation for Mark Levin.  You came here for that headline, so here it is.  If you missed his show Monday night (that’s tonight/last night/or whatever depending on where you live or when you’re reading this – five days from now for most) you really need to find a way to stay on top of these things because “real” news isn’t waiting for you to catch up and my blog isn’t getting any better without your commentary so lets get on this ASAP.

I forgot, I’m supposed to be getting to the point… my apologies.

So Mark Levin – The Great One – decided to devote a portion of his show to the keynote speaker at this year’s CPAC convention- Glenn Beck.  In fairness, he didn’t go Baldwin brother on Beck, but he did offer up a little piece of advice for the Fox News dough-boy.  Check out this audio/dubbed video from Radio Equalizer via Instapundit and catch me below.

Tell me that wasn’t seven kinds of awesome?

Look.  I’m not going to roll into a rant about how much I hate Glenn Beck or even about how much I hated his speech at CPAC.  Neither would be true.  The latter would be closer to an accurate statement, but who is realistically looking for accuracy around here?  Consistency maybe…. but accuracy??? You folks know better than that.  I haven’t commented a great deal about Beck on this site for two reasons.  1) I rarely watch his show and 2) I hate hate hate his radio program.  I love the radio format, but he murders it for me and forces me to switch to ESPN radio during his time slot even if its Jim Rome is Burning depending on the market.  His chalkboard sideshow just doesn’t translate to the radio format, and his giggling little crew of school boys makes me want to yank the car into a tree.

Speaking of his little gang of yes men…. I have a small confession to make.  In a brief moment of complete and utter mental failure… as I was trying to remember the name of the nerdy little errand boy featured daily on the Glenn Beck program – so I could take a shot at him – I forgot his name.  Was it Sammy?  Sally, Suzy, Stan, Smitty, Stewie?  Hell I couldn’t remember so I Googled it and sure enough – if you Google “Smitty” and “Glenn Beck” what do you get?

THE OTHER MCCAIN

And sure enough… His most recent post……………………………………….

Mark Levin vs. Glenn Beck (And Some Other CPAC-Related Musings)

Are you kidding me?

Do you ever sleep McCain?  Can you please get your 12 hours like your namesake?  How do you plan to live as long as that friend-to-all changeling chameleon if you keep going at this pace?  Let Smitty do some work and sleep off that hangover we both know you have from this weekend at CPAC.  Can you just let me have a moment?

Here I am finally able to bask in the glory of someone else in the conservative world growing tired of Beck’s cheap trick sideshow antics and you have to steal it from me?  Damn you Stacy McCain!!! Damn you.

Back to my original point….

If you’re a Beck fan.  I apologize – not for bashing your “homeboy” and his adolescent games, but for not taking Beck to task on a daily basis around here.  I will work on that.  I promise.  I just can’t hate the goofy bastard.  His television show sucks 90% of the time, but the other 1o% gives me hope – not hope as in I want to hold hands and sing happy songs with the dude, but hope that the next show will not suck – or at least not veer into conspiracy theory land reducing all Right-Wingers to caricatures and their message to bumper stickers.

The short of it is this.  Glenn Beck is a TV personality; and accordingly, he has to keep his audience coming back for more.  To serve that end, he will do anything, say anything, and raise Holy Hell about anything he can to make that happen.  That’s show business folks.  I’m proud as hell of Mark Levin for calling a dork a dork on this one and reminding Beck of his stated objective – opposing the transformation of this great nation – and I am even happier to call myself a fan of the man with the courage and conviction to do it.

John Branch

I rarely depart from the traditional political world conservative commentary around here, but on occasion – when I see fit or when I am moved to include something else – or just take a crack at unapologetic “blogwhoring,” I add a post about something you wouldn’t expect from Republican Redefined.  In a slow “news” week that appears to be waiting for CPAC to begin before any real stories come to the forefront, I was on the verge of the obligatory King Tut wasn’t murdered – he was just an incestuous lovechild with a broken leg who died of Malaria post or the figure skating makes the news because Russians (Evgani Plushenko and Evan Lysacek) are battling Americans; and Americans are speaking Russian (Johnny Weir) post.  I have to tell you the temptation was great, but I am glad I refrained ….because tonight gave me the motivation I needed to dive into the world of the apolitical without even a hint of reservation.

Wednesday was a great day for Americans at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.  I can say that without an ounce of bias or subjectivity as an American that gets pissed when we don’t win EVERY medal in EVERY competition.  We really had a good great day.  When I say that – “I say this without an ounce of subjectivity or bias,” I am obviously lying through my teeth.  Of course I am biased…. and objectivity has never been my strong suit.

Before we move on… I just wanted to add a soundtrack for the post moving forward.  I would have combined it with the video below somehow if I had the talents necessary to do such things.  Given that I do not, hit play and move on to the rest of the post.

SI.com

In a day that saw Lindsey Vonn claim Gold in the women’s downhill- the first American to ever win the event – and Julia Mancuso take the Silver (did I mention that I was forced to engage in mental debate about which of these two Winter Olympians was the hottest? – no losers here to say the least- wow!!) and in a night that featured Shani Davis winning the 1000 meter speed skating Gold, you could call it a great night and not be biased as we all know I am … and then came the Men’s Halfpipe…

For those of you who are Olympic purists and love watching the crap that winter athletes have been doing for generations, you may just want to move on for the next few lines because those who love to hate the X Games infusion won’t like what I have to say next.  Maybe find another site, because I am about to drop bombs on your little or “original” X Games of the ‘68 Olympiad (Grenoble) ass by telling you that White’s performance was the most dominant display in the history of sports played in cold weather.  Yes, I just said that….

The Flying Tomato – the geeky / nerdy / badass that he is – destroyed the field tonight with his first run – which saw White “play it safe”and leave the field in his tailwind pushing the limits to equal his score – and failing miserably in the process.  The first run that set the standard made way for a final trip down the pipe from the 2006 Gold Medalist that didn’t have to concern itself with the scores on the board because the one at the top was one that belonged to his goofy little millionaire skateboarding/ snowboarding ass; and he pulled out every trick in his arsenal with the Gold already in the bag…. and dude… held nothing back… claiming Gold and then some.  Have a look.

Sorry its the only video out there right now thanks to NBC…

To be removed any minute….

In case you thought I snubbed Davis…. AKA “Frozone”

The next installment of billboard gate – turned billboard ad campaign – turned billboard hysteria has been erected in Cedar Rapids Iowa.  So what does this billboard say?  ”How’s that hope and change working for you?”  - a clear reference to Former Gov Palin’s statements at the Tea Party Convention.  The sponsor(s) of this new billboard has yet to be revealed, but I have no doubt that he/she/they will emerge in the days to come to claim their work much talked about advertisement.  The billboard follows the “Miss Me Yet” ad in Minnesota, the “Impeach Obama” display in Wisconsin, and the “Marxist” banner in  Kansas City – which I missed and only caught wind of in summary at the Gateway Pundit.  Fox is on the hunt for the financial backer of this one, so give it a day or two at the longest before we know the full story on this one.  Remember folks.. obey your local traffic laws when pausing to take pictures.

Photo via The Right Perspective

Via Story Balloon:

(Thanks to Paul Hamby for the photo.)

The Miss Me Yet? billboard mystery has been solved… Well sort of.  One of the six men who contributed to the roadside billboard has finally emerged.  In an interview with Gretchen Carlson of Fox News, Mike Revard – a Minnesota small business owner – said he and his partners’ reluctance to come forward was based solely on concerns for the privacy of their families and the well being of their businesses.  In the interview, which you can see below, he stopped short of lashing out at the Obama administration, but he did put to rest speculation that the billboard was “ironic” propaganda sent forth by the Left.  Have a look.

Via The Lonely Conservative

Impeach Obama Billboard springs up…

In case you didn’t get your fill for roadside satire, a second billboard has emerged to lend a hand to the effort.  The billboard located on Highway 41 in Wisconsin displays a very clear message “Impeach Obama.”  I don’t think we will have to waste much time on this one wondering if it was paid for by a clever little Lefty… I think the advertisement speaks for itself.

via NBCChicago.com via NYDaily News

Video via Gateway Pundit

Also worth a look… Apparently “Miss Me Yet” merchandise is jumping off the shelves..

Bush “Miss Me Yet?” Merchandise Selling Like Hotcakes – Gateway Pundit

Jon Stewart offers up his usual take on the President’s bipartisan health care reform summit scheduled for Blair House February 25.  The video also offers up an “investigation” into the Hawaiian health care system.  There’s even an appearance from Dog The Bounty Hunter.  Again… if you can’t make light of this ridiculousness, the only alternative is frustration.  I prefer to laugh at the spectacle…