Political Football

The First Welcome page (with navigation help) is buried in archives now – but you can go here to read it.

I’m posting a bit here occasionally about what I’m busy doing.

If you’re new to this site you might be interested in looking at my favorite post summary here. Otherwise rummage through the site all you want.

[May 10, 2008] Busy busy busy… and not enough time to prioritize. Was looking at some other blogs that are much more personal than this one – really impressed with a few – will put links on this site when I get around TUIT.

Here is a link from State 29 about why Iowa is losing citizens, especially younger Iowans.  First, I love the tagline “Keeping Track Of All Those Iowa Scandals While Remaining Insightfully Vulgar”.  But it’s a good read with other supporting links that are worth taking/reading… Will be very busy until the Primary June 3 – and more deadlines at work that are approaching. Happy Mother’s Day Mothers!

[April 27, 2008] Pretty boring here, more work and more politics. Hawkeye football doesn’t look inspired for the fall, it will be interesting to go into a year with low expectations. And so it goes.

[April 17, 2008] I haven’t been thinking a lot about politics lately and that’s not a bad thing. Buried at work, trying to dig out, spending 5 days in Texas with family learning a lot about what I can and cannot do physically :::sigh::: hoping all will be well as we returned home. Also lost a friend over the last few weeks, lived a long life but will be missed much – and had some car trouble that has irritated me so much I’m selling the Ford for maybe a Toyota. (still have 3,000 miles on the warrantee so I will take my time). In the last few hours I emailed the Teahan and Miller-Meeks campaign to tell them I am supporting Miller-Meeks for Congress to replace the Representative who’s not – Dave Lobesack – in the US House. Both Teahan and Miller-Meeks are good candidates – you’ll hear more of why I’m supporting Miller-Meeks in the next days.

[March 28, 2008] As you can tell, HF2645 is occupying a lot of my thought in the last weeks. Also tending to a lot of personal things with friends and family… My anger about the passage of HF2645 is only moderately related to the content of the bill. My anger is focused on the way the bill was passed. Watching some of the debate in the gallery also heightened my interest.

There are some elements in the bill that put Iowa “first in nation” relative to giving power to unions and away from elected boards and superintendents. It is wrong for this 14 page amendment that changes so much – NOT to have gone through the Labor Committee, and to be passed during a time when many schools were on Spring Break. The April legislative forum will be a “MUST SEE” event.

March 16, 2008] -Doing some good things with diet, but still eating too much and need to find some exercise program that fits me. With the convention behind us we are working toward opening the Republican HDQS in Muscatine – but that won’t take a huge amount of time… time to dive into some huge projects at work and make a difference. Hospice is good (I volunteer there) Family is good, Friends are good, God is good, life is good. Please spend a moment in prayer, thanking God for your many gifts in this time of renewal. Palm Sunday is over – the most holy week of the year has begun. God bless the world. Pray for Peace.

[March 6, 2008] – I told you last year and repeated last week this was going to happen. Obama and Clinton are NOT good candidates LINK…

[March 5, 2008] – The GREATEST PLAY – April 25, 1976 – Dodgers vs Cubs
Worth your time!!! Click here: monday_flag_350wmv.wvx

[March 4] – He wasn’t MY candidate, he may not have been YOUR candidate but he is OUR Republican candidate for the Presidency of the United States in 2008. Go Mac!

[March 1] - It’s just a rumor at this point but LINK Bill Roggio is pretty close to the action – maybe #2 in al Qaeda has been eliminated. Hope the rumor proves to be true.

I have no inclination to write a special post about the Legislative Forum this AM but will cover it here. If the most important thing the legislature has to spend its time on this session is making Iowa a non-smoking state – I have to tell them there should be other priorities. And I think this IS all about priorities. Where a non-smoking state would be great, I’m also not apposed to the market place taking care of supporting smoke free places at the deficit of places that allow smoking. After all the market place is us; I’m not sure the government is us anymore.

In that vein, I’ve decided to invest the (Iowa tax free) rebate from the US government that there is talk of – to design and distribute static cling decals that say “Don’t blame me, I voted for Rudy”. My little contribution to continuing civil discourse.

My number #2 I DON’T CARE waste of time in the state legislature is the discussion about killing doves. I don’t even want to go there… Don’t we have budgets and economic issues to discuss?

It’s supposed to be almost 50 degrees tomorrow, hope that takes care of most of the snow. There are pools all over the county on when the mounds of snow at the Malls and parking lots will disappear. We’re certainly tired of the stuff.

That said, we’re pretty well prepared for the Republican County Convention next Saturday, and we just opened the HDQs we acquired to check it out – threw up some bunting and COMING SOON sign on the windows… nice place – right across from SWEET TEMPTATIONS in the PCPlaza. I see ice cream and politics in my summer…

[February 17] Well it’s supposed to snow again tonight. We’ve had more snow this winter than we have in the last 10 combined. My garage door is giving me fits – the ice then snow today will be another challenge, but I poured a quarter inch deep patch of salt where the door hits the floor – we’ll see.

I’m busy getting ready for the County Convention on March 8, the last major activity for a while. McCain ended up philosophically being my second candidate (although Rudy was very much my favorite) so it’s not a stretch for me to support him. He’s certainly better than either Obama or Hillary.

From what I understand the USA has the first or second highest corporate tax rate in the world. The EU and many countries have spent the last two years making drastic reductions in their corporate tax rates and both Obama and Hillary think taxing businesses will solve our economic problems. It will only drive more work out of the USA.

[January 31] The political campaign is over for Rudy and I need to figure out what that means to me. Many of my friends across the USA have vowed to continue to vote for Rudy through their primaries or caucuses.

Rudy has endorsed McCain but I still see McCain as an angry old man who keeps grudges yet picks odd things on which he pushes compromise. I hope we see Rudy and McCain traveling together and McCain can absorb some advice from Rudy on humility and keeping his temper. Rudy has learned a lot in this campaign – all for the better. Some say this positions him well for a failed Democrat Presidency in 2008-2012, but Rudy would be 67…. I think this was his year and we (yes you too!) failed him.

I’ve noted in a previous post that McCain’s continual stab at Mitt on the timetable issue is completely lame – it also shows the level at which this electorate is really listening; they are not. If voters were truly listening to message and substance – Rudy would still be in this race.

The only thing I’m really taking away from this primary cycle is my personal recollection of my disdain for the process; and it’s scary how many people can be swayed by a good speaking voice or a headline. As a nation – we get the candidate we deserve. (yikes)

There are a few people I really respect that support Senator McCain (now including Rudy) so I will take a closer look at him – and he’s clearly the stronger candidate between Mitt and Huck. Not sure I will be campaigning for McCain – we are busy enough here getting some local people elected.

And in continued defense of Rudy – his failed strategy is the only strategy that he could have reasonably taken in this campaign. He campaigned in Iowa and New Hampshire almost as many days as McCain so the media spin that he “didn’t compete” isn’t accurate.

A real deficit that I saw as the campaign continued is the “higher” level of Rudy supporters (at least in Iowa) were really for themselves, promoting their own agenda rather than really pushing support for Rudy. Oh they supported him, but not in the trenches and didn’t reach out to the press to communicate that support. That would have helped – but I don’t see anything changing the outcome – and I’m more concerned for the future now than I was when this political season started.

McCain has been the darling of the Media since the 2000 election – it will be interesting (in a creepy kind of way) to see how he’s treated if he gets to the general cycle. The media continues to control the message – and between the liberal press and the conservative talk shows dominating – we moderates are sandwiched in the uncomfortable middle.

[January 4] I’ve decided to take off the gloves and write more about why I continue to support Rudy against all other republican candidates – my boss mercifully let me take today off too to decompress from the caucus. I will post something this weekend, but to view the results, go http://muscatinecountygop.org and you’ll note my lack of enthusiasm. I understand the democrats in town bought something like muscatinerepublicans.com – and directed it to the democrat site. Isn’t that so, like, 5th grade?

[December 26] Enjoying my vacation but need to get into a better rhythm to get more done. Still need some precinct caucus chair people, will spend time on the phone tomorrow. Welcome 2008, I think I need a special post for that. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[December 18] My vacation starts on Friday, so I should have more time to post, right now I’m in the final stages of organizing for the county caucus on Jan 3, and that requires a lot of my time. Keep an eye on this site, and thanks for checking back. Go Rudy!

[December 10] I am terrible at finding time to do the personal updates. The Bears are out of the post season as are the Hawkeyes who are Bowl-less for the first time in 7 years. But there is always politics, and that too is getting me down. I hate calling people on the phone yet that’s what I’m doing – organizing the County Caucus for Republicans. Will write more when I can but for now David Frum summarizes my thoughts very well in the post I just threw up on the blog from National Review. Rudy’s the man for our times.

The Hucklebee surge doesn’t surprise me; I’ve always felt Romney’s support was wide yet brittle – but with Hucklebee’s history laid bare – he’s a worse candidate than FDT and neither one can beat a Dem right now. To me it’s still Rudy or – watch out.

[November 17] This has been the worst season of Iowa Football I have witnessed in a long time – probably because it was so unexpected. Not only did they look bad, but they never showed consistent improvement. Very busy next 6 weeks preparing for the county caucus and to get Rudy voters delivered to it, meeting tomorrow night.

[November 4] The Hawkeyes are fighting their way into bowl contention with two games left they SHOULD win… and if they get selected to play in a Phoenix bowl, it would be tempting to travel. But then there’s Rudy. The Iowa caucus has been moved to Jan 3 so that will be a busy December both organizing the caucus and getting Rudy people there. I’ve talked about all the things that have been keeping me busy in separate posts, Rudy in SE Iowa twice in October one of them in Muscatine. Going to take next Saturday off and Cheer for the Hawkeyes in person… But Rudy’s candidacy is taking front and center for me right now; I still believe he is by far the best candidate to lead this nation. There is no one even close to his experience, leadership and results.

[October 8] Well the Cubs were swept in their first series, the Hawkeyes are 2-4 and so are the Bears. Not a great sports fall for me but things can get better. The Bears won a thriller on Sunday Night Football. Rudy is here on October 17 – I should start a thread on that as soon as I have the time.

[September 30] Been an unusual sports month – The Cubs are still playing ball (NL Central Champions – Go Cubs Go) the football season is almost over with the Hawks 2-3 and the Bears 1-3 so far. I’m not sure the Hawkeyes can win another game as badly as they played yesterday. The Bears – anyone want a quarterback – or two? Politics are heating up at the local and national level – more on that later, but I’ve also posted a lot of good stuff to read. read it and comment if you are so inclined…

[September 23] I went to the county republican dinner instead of watching the Iowa game, and since they lost I didn’t bother to watch the game I taped. Go Cubs Go – magic # = 4 games and counting – read my post here about Chriss Winston’s visit to Muscatine – we need to do a better job of raising “Americans”.

[September 16] Looks like another busy week but the news is busy too. FDT announced and is doing little to quell the discussion of his physical fitness for the rigors of the presidency and Rudy is going to England later this week for a speech and an award to be presented by Maggie Thatcher. Time to get to bed, another week ahead!

[September 7] I have a busy weekend so you won’t be hearing too much from me, although it looks like I can watch the Bears game in Chicago. (unfortunately they’re playing in San Diego) something useful I saw this week was this site https://www.donotcall.gov/register/Reg.aspx register here to put your phone numbers on the national do not call registry.

[September 2] Labor Day weekend starts with a Hawkeye victory at Soldier Field. I have a lot to catch up on this weekend, reading writing and cleaning. I’ve posted quiet a bit over the last weeks; once I get out of the weekend you won’t hear much from me for a bit – I’m going to a trade show in Chicago SUN-TUE next week so that will make everything else busier too. I’m going to Graph Expo, which is where I was on 9-11-01, and I’ll be there during the 6th anniversary.

I will start a game thread for Syracuse. It’s a night game at Kinnick – always exciting; maybe we can win one once.

[August 26] holy crap, summer is almost over and kids are back in school. a LOT going on, Rudy was in Bettendorf on Friday, I need to write story today. Even though it was not a Town Hall meeting, we had a great time at a “meet and greet” at a family restaurant – promise to write the story today. The Cubs are still hanging in the pennant race. Go Cubbies!

[August 19] and nearing the end of summer. My niece is at school, first day of class is tomorrow. Busy at work – keeping up this site and one more here and working for Rudy and volunteering for Hospice. My internet appears down at home and I had work to do anyway so I’m spending a few hours at work online.

[August 12] Not much original thought from me, I posted a “poem” Desiderata that I remember having on a wall in my dorm room… My niece leaves for ISU this week – God’s speed and much love.

A TON of other things going on besides work of course, finishing my formal Hospice Volunteer training so I can get into the field now, and still working for Rudy. Witnessing very subtle changes in the journalistic and political landscapes – what is being admitted to relative to liberal bias – we shall see how that evolves. Some of the posts I’ve tossed up on the site for you to read reflect those small changes.

[August 4] Well the cubs are back in 2nd place, one game in back of Milwaukee. Just posted some funny cartoons here, if you wanna go look.

Here is a funny You Tube video done by Penn and Teller where he describes someone going to an event supporting some environmental initiative and people are asked to sign a petition, outlawing the use of H2O. (Di-Hydrogen Monoxide) – pretty telling… and funny in a creepy kind of way. Debates tomorrow – get the popcorn (or cereal, it’s early!).

[August 1] CUBS WIN! first place for the first time in AUG since 2003. CUBS WIN a thriller bases loaded passed ball to score the winning run. On a sad note, prayers for the missing, dead and injured and their families in Minneapolis.

[July 29] Beau is upgrading the blog to the newest version for me this afternoon, so if there is interruptions in service that is why. Most of the changes will be transparent to the viewer, but will help in some of the stability issues that I am fighting when I add content (there are also security upgrades).

I am also working on a series of posts that I hope to clearly define my opinion of Democrat and Republican principles. The 2008 election continues to point to the most important of MY lifetime.

the upgrade is done and I’ve posted Part 1 of my series of ( R ) vs ( D ) principles.

and then I published part 3 over part 2, so I need to recreate part 2. soon.

[July 21] well again, apologies for the less than weekly posting, but I’ve been traveling on vacation and working more for Rudy. went to a few days of the early rounds of this women’s (WTA) event http://cincytennis.com and had a good time – more on the Rudy visit in another post. Just got HP 7 and will be busy reading that too, so posts may appear slower than normal.

[July 1] Happy July! this has got to qualify as the Line of the Day:

Abbas, appearing on a podium alongside Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, said Hamas had committed “crimes, murder and aggression against everything Palestinians stand for” in its takeover earlier this month of the Gaza Strip.

[June 26] Been another busy week. Getting more active in the Rudy Campaign and out and about a bit. A major project at work is moving forward nicely allowing me to take some time off to do other things. working a lot on the other blog you can read more here.

[June 18] Did I tell you I hate voice mail? Well I got a good one today. #1 Muscatine Power and Water picked up the Big Ten Network! better yet, #2 it’s in my standard package! Go Hawks!

[June 17] Going to Des Moines on WED for a Rudy Event. Mitt Romney was in Muscatine today you can check out the details here @ another site I support.

[June 11] Looking forward to some vacation in July – going to watch a professional tennis tournament in Ohio with friends. Look I’m famous – http://www.joinrudy2008.com/news/pr/284 listed as a county chair! I had no idea Rudy considered me furniture! Now I need to find some people to work for Rudy with me… help?

[May 29] I survived the day at work after a long weekend, including some vacation days and feel pretty good. Got some clean up landscaping done today so the yard looks nice coming home that’s always cool. Getting more involved in the Rudy campaign, you’ll hear more about why later, I just think this election is THAT important. keep in touch.

[May 20] very early May 20, I need to get to bed. With Beau’s help we just brought up the new Muscatine County GOP website – go here to see it. I will probably start a new personal post tomorrow – and will be blogging more over the holiday weekend – I’m taking THURS and FRI in addition to the 3 day weekend, so keep checking back.

[May 12] I will try to finish my letter to the editor and post it here tomorrow. At this point I could spend my weekend reading, writing and blogging, so stay tuned!

[May 5] ok I need to get better at the weekly notes here, sorry about that but I have been posting a lot. I have laptop problems right now and want to help with the muscatine gop website so I may not post as much for a bit, but am taking a 4 day weekend over memorial day – promise to improve more especially then. I have tasked myself to author a letter to the editor of the Muscatine Journal this week to find other Rudybots in town. I like this forum but need to feel like I’m making a larger impact for Rudy. Stay tuned and don’t give up on me! Beau did an a Rudy “widget” from the Rudy website this week that updates itself daily – kinda cool.

[April 15] Another busy week, getting my taxes done with an old family friend, and tripping to Des Moines yesterday to see Rudy. Plenty of documentation so read… Also this next week is Holocaust remembrance week, I will post an article I just read next.
I also heard from the guy who’s writing the book on Iowa Fans – it will be out on schedule before football season starts. More on that later, but with the Spring Game yesterday, I also posted a summary of thoughts about the 2007 Football HAWKEYES.

[April 7] I’m not planning on posting anything tomorrow – busy with work (Easter with family was today) but I also brought down my links to the Romney campaign because I can no longer support him. He doesn’t seem “ready for prime time” and has recently suggested a “not for publication” timeline for defeat retreat in Iraq. No. you’ll see more links to Rudy soon.

[March 31] ok! my recent engagement with Muscatine County Republicans have helped me refocus on the issues at hand and a bit away from the algore craziness (although you KNOW he WILL win a Nobel Peace Prize in October don’t you? – what a joke).
anyway – Tommy Thompson is in town today and Rudy is in Des Moines next Tuesday – so I’m having fun!

I also changed to use firefox from IE. Not used to it yet but I’m getting spelling help on my blog, so that is a good thing.

[March 25] I’m disliking what algore is doing to the Global Warming issue so much, I seem to be focusing on it a lot. It’s wrongheaded and counter productive. AND it shows you how people can be “moved” by hype. Shame on algore. I can only hope he will be shown as the hypocrite he is very soon. Rudy is going to be in Iowa April 3 – a rally in the evening in Des Moines. more on that later.

[March 18] posted a lot again this week, and decided to support Rudy formally. got my first anonymous post. please read and comment, read and comment.

[March 11] I posted a lot this weekend so I will let that speak for me here – cheers!

[March 4] well it’s the quiet end to another weekend. I didn’t get as much done on the blog as I wanted to – there is a lot going on in both the national and state legislatures and people should be paying attention. So far I’m also behind promising you a review of Iowa Football 2007 and Media Bias 3 – but tomorrow is another day. Turn your clocks forward on March 11, and beware the Ides of March!

[FEBRUARY 25] Dreamhost was down all day today if you were wondering why you couldn’t visit today. I’ve been reading up on the Hawkeye 2007 Football team – I will post something soon. Two things – awesome young group of Wide Receivers, and I’m very disappointed we are playing neither Ohio State OR Michigan this season. Doesn’t make sense.

[FEBRUARY 17] just added my endorsement of Rudy Giuliani for President 2008 (see a link to his exploratory committee in the links section at the bottom right). I also like Mitt Romney so I’m technically undecided.

[FEBRUARY 11] – I will be adding new pages on Obama, Hillary and the fight for sanity in the Iowa State Legislature and will periodically update those pages with new information.

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