#1 UVa. beats Cal 8-1, stays alive in CWS
Behind a sterling pitching performance from Tyler Wilson (Sr., Midlothian, Va.), the Virginia baseball team remained in the hunt in the College World Series with an 8-1 win over California Thursday evening in an elimination game at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. A stadium-record crowd of 25,833 witnessed the contest; it also was the largest crowd to ever watch a Virginia baseball game.
The top-seeded Cavaliers (56-11) advance to play fourth-seeded South Carolina at 7 p.m. Friday (ET). The game will be televised by ESPN and streamed online at ESPN3.com. In order to move on to the CWS Championship Series, Virginia must defeat the Gamecocks twice. California finishes its season with a 38-23 record.
Wilson (10-0) was brilliant in pitching 7.2 innings, tying a career high. He allowed just a run and five hits while striking out five. He did not walk a batter and cruised through most of the game, retiring 17 of 18 batters from the second into the eighth innings. Wilson now has thrown 10 innings in the CWS, earning both UVa wins while allowing just two runs.
Wilson becomes the third UVa pitcher to record 10 or more wins this season – a first in Virginia history. He joins Danny Hultzen (Jr., Bethesda, Md.), who owns 12 wins, and Will Roberts (Jr., Richmond, Va.), who has 11 victories. Wilson also earned his 27th career victory, moving into a second-place tie with Jacob Thompson (2006-08) on the Virginia career wins ledger.
California starting pitcher Dixon Anderson (4-4) took the loss after allowing two runs (one earned) and four hits in 3.0 innings.
The Cavaliers’ offense came alive with 11 hits Thursday, as all nine starters recorded at least one hit. Keith Werman (Jr., Vienna, Va.) went 2-for-2, scored two runs and laid down a pair of sacrifice bunts; he now is 4-for-7 (.571) in the CWS. Kenny Swab (Sr., Kernersville, N.C.) also notched a pair of hits, including a key single which was misplayed into a three-base error that allowed Swab to circle the bases.
After a pair of scoreless innings, Virginia plated two runs in the top of the third, staking the Cavaliers to an early 2-0 advantage. Jared King (Jr., Radford, Va.) singled on the first pitch of the inning and advanced to second base on Werman’s sacrifice bunt. Anderson’s throw to first was wide and forced first baseman Devon Rodriguez off the bag for an error. Chris Taylor (So., Virginia Beach, Va.) laid down a sacrifice bunt down the first base line, advancing the runners to second and third. King scored on a wild pitch, with Werman advancing to third. A sacrifice fly by John Barr (Sr., Ivyland, Pa.) scored Werman to give UVa the 2-0 edge.
The Cavaliers added four runs in the top of the sixth inning, storming out to a 6-0 lead against Cal reliever Kevin Miller. With one out Swab singled to center field, but scored easily on a three-base error when the ball skipped past center fielder Darrel Matthews and rolled all the way to the outfield wall near the 408 mark in dead center. David Coleman (Sr., Richmond, Va.) followed with a double down the left-field line and scored with two outs on a single by Werman, making it 4-0. Werman advanced to second on the throw when Coleman slid in safely at home. Taylor then plated Werman with a double into left-center. The base hit extended his team-best active hitting streak to 14 games.
California then went to the bullpen for the second time, bringing in LHP Louie Lechich, but Barr welcomed Lechich with a single to left to plate Taylor and cap the scoring streak.
Cal broke through with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning. With one out Matthews singled to right field. He advanced to third with two outs on Austin Booker’s single to left field. With runners on first and third and two outs, UVa head coach Brian O’Connor went to the bullpen and brought in Cody Winiarski (Sr., Franksville, Wis.). Tony Renda squeezed a base hit off the glove of a diving Taylor at shortstop, plating Matthews.
Virginia added two more runs in the top of the ninth inning to take an 8-1 advantage. Steven Proscia (Jr., Suffern, N.Y.) walked with one out, followed by a Danny Hultzen (Jr., Bethesda, Md.) single up the middle to place runners at first and second. Swab reached on a fielder’s choice when shortstop Marcus Semien threw errantly to second base, allowing Proscia to score. Corey Hunt (Sr., Charlottesville, Va.), running for Hultzen, later scored on a Coleman groundout.
P-Nats open second half with win
In a driving rainstorm that had settled in over BB&T Coastal Field, Hector Nelo struck out Jared Hoying to strand the winning runs on base and lock up a 6-5 P-Nats win in Myrtle Beach. In a game that was delayed 40 minutes because of heavy rains, the Nationals had one big inning and held on for a waterlogged win to open the second half of the Carolina League schedule.
In between the downpours, the Nationals (30-40, 1-0) had their biggest inning of the year. Six consecutive hits to open the third spurred a six-run outburst, the Nats’ biggest production in a single inning all season long.
Sandy Leon opened the frame with a double off Wilfredo Boscan, the Pelicans starter. J.R. Higley then singled; both scored when Cutter Dykstra hit a single to left field. Eury Perez doubled to score Dykstra and scored when Jose Lozada singled to right; Lozada moved to third on Jeff Kobernus’s double. With one out and an 0-2 count, Steven Souza roped a two-run single into center field to make it 6-1.
Myrtle Beach (40-30, 0-1) had taken the lead in the second – and it could have been larger were it not for Higley’s arm. After a one-out Jared Hoying double scored Vinny Difazio, Santiago Chirino singled to right field with two outs. Hoying tried to score from second and was gunned down by a perfect Higley throw to end the inning.
Adam Olbrychowski was solid over five innings; he allowed three runs on six hits and struck out a season-high seven. He did walk two and threw two wild pitches, but earned his second win of the season.
The Pelicans kept chipping away at the Nationals’ lead against a trio of bullpen arms, while the Myrtle ‘pen stymied the Potomac offense.
In the sixth, Souza’s throwing error allowed DiFazio to score and trim the lead to two, at 6-4. Joe Testa hit the first batter in both the seventh and eight innings, but worked around both. In the eight, he had a hand from Hector Nelo, who came on with one out and got a strikeout and groundout to end the threat.
As the eighth turned to the ninth innings, the rain really picked up. By the time Nelo took the mound for the last half inning, a downpour had caused the grounds crew to dump drying materials on the mound and area around home plate.
Through the driving rain, Nelo walked the leadoff man Leury Garcia. He then struck out Jared Prince, but Garcia, who had stolen second and third bases, scored on Chris McGuinness’s one-out single. Mitch Hilligoss then blooped a ball over the head of Justin Bloxom at third to put the winning run on base. Nelo then struck out DiFazio, at which point the grounds crew was again summoned to tend to the mound. After a furious dumping of dirt and drying agent, Nelo was allowed to continue. On his fifth pitch, he struck out Hoying to end the ballgame.
Kinston scores three in the ninth to knock off Salem
The K-Tribe scored two in the seventh to tie it, then plated three more in the ninth to take their first lead en route to a 5-2 victory on Thursday night at LewisGale Field. Salem had jumped to a 2-0 lead after six thanks to the steady pitching from Drake Britton and Tom Ebert, but the Indians delivered a late surge to continue their winning ways, garnering their 25th win in the last 34 games.
The Salem Sox assumed on early edge thanks to a thunderous swing from Kolbrin Vitek, who blasted his first Carolina League home run in the first inning off Kinston starter Marty Popham. The monstrous fly that easily cleared the wall in left-center gave Salem a 1-0 lead, but the Red Sox failed to muster another extra-base hit in the ballgame.
Salem did out-hit Kinston 8-6, but the Sox left seven aboard, stranding five in scoring position and losing another man on a play at the plate. Michael Almanzar singled home Dan Butler with two outs in the fourth to double Salem’s lead, but the Sox would be unable to provide any more offense down the stretch.
The Indians offense, on the other hand, awakened when it mattered. Drake Britton tossed two scoreless in a starting role and Tom Ebert blanked Kinston for four innings out of the pen, with each pitcher allowing just one hit. In the seventh, however, Roberto Perez and Tyler Cannon began the frame with consecutive singles against Mitch Herold. A sacrifice bunt from Tyler Holt moved both men into scoring position, and the Indians brought both of them across on a wild pitch and an RBI single from Casey Frawley.
In the ninth, Herold struck out the leadoff man but then walked three in a row, the third of which coming as an intentional pass following a passed ball that moved the runners forward. Anthony Gallas grounded into a 3-2 fielder’s choice against new pitcher Michael Gleason, but Jeremie Tice walked to force in a run and give the Indians a 3-2 lead. Adam Abraham delivered a crucial insurance knock by driving in two via his single to left.
Salem threatened with two outs in the ninth, bringing the tying man to the plate following a Zach Gentile single and Michael Almanzar walk, but Derrik Gibson chopped to the mound to end the game, handing the Sox their 32nd loss in the last 43 games.
Vitek, Butler, and Gentile all went 2-4 for the Red Sox to lead the squad offensively, while Frawley was the only Indian with multiple hits. Kyle Landis tossed a scoreless eighth inning to earn the win, improving to 2-0, while Herold was charged with five runs in two and a third, suffering his first blown save and his second loss. Kinston closer Preston Guilment dealt a scoreless ninth to earn his 17th save.
The Sox and Indians reunite on Friday evening at LewisGale Field, with Pete Ruiz scheduled to start for Salem opposite Brett Brach. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.
ACLU suit challenges restrictions on begging on Charlottesville Downtown Mall
Lawyers for the ACLU of Virginia today filed a lawsuit in U.S. district court challenging a City of Charlottesville ordinance that unconstitutionally restricts begging on the city’s Downtown Mall.
Passed in August 2010, the ordinance prohibits the soliciting of persons sitting in outdoor cafes or within 50 feet of the two streets that cross the mall. It also bans the soliciting of individuals conducting business at any vendor table or cart.
“Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall is a public forum where the right of people to assemble and communicate is protected by the First Amendment,” said ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Kent Willis. “The ordinance is too vaguely worded to understand, unreasonably restricts freedom of expression, and clearly discriminates based on the content of speech, allowing many kinds of expressive activity but not panhandling.”
In recent years, the ACLU of Virginia has actively opposed ordinances that restrict panhandling and/or roadside solicitations in Richmond, Herndon, Newport News, and Hampton. In most of these jurisdictions, proposals were dropped or amended during the legislative process that enabled the ordinances to pass constitutional muster.
In Hampton and Newport News anti-panhandling ordinances that would have prevented solicitation of vehicles by pedestrians were modified to ban such solicitations only when panhandlers entered traffic. In Herndon, the town council dropped a proposal that would have prevented Latino day laborers from soliciting for work near roadways. Several years ago, Richmond attempted to ban all panhandling in the central business district, but withdrew the proposal after the ACLU threatened to file a lawsuit.
Charlottesville lawyers Jeff Fogel and Steve Rosenfield, along with ACLU of Virginia Legal Director Rebecca Glenberg and Dunn Fellow Tom Fitzpatrick, represent five homeless men who depend on panhandling for at least part of their income.
“Anti-solicitation ordinances are not about public safety, as they are purported to be, but about removing the reminders of poverty from our sight,” said Fogel. “Fortunately, in this country, every citizen, rich or poor, has the same right to use our sidewalks, parks and malls.”
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Albert Clatterbuck, Christopher Martin, Earl McCraw, John Jordan, and Michael Sloan. They are seeking an injunction to prevent Charlottesville from continuing to enforce the ordinance, damages and attorney’s fees.
Area natives begin State Police careers
On Monday (June 27, 2011), 62 new Virginia State Police troopers will begin their career on patrol in counties and along interstates across the Commonwealth. On Friday (June 24, 2011), the members of the 116th Basic Session will graduate from the Virginia State Police Academy in Richmond.
The 62 graduates began their rigorous 37-week training session Oct. 10, 2010. During that time, the new troopers received instruction in more than 100 different subjects spanning hundreds of hours. Academy training included such areas as crime scene investigation, survival Spanish, judicial procedures, self defense, cultural diversity and firearms.
The graduates’ final phase of training begins Monday when the new troopers report to their respective duty assignments. Each trooper will spend a minimum of six weeks with a field training officer learning his or her new patrol area and day-to-day duties.
Among the 62 new graduates are Augusta County natives Trooper Mark C. Brill and Trooper Gregory W. Clifton. Trooper Brill, 23, of Churchville, begins his career with state police on patrol in Frederick County. Trooper Brill earned an associates degree in administration of justice from Blue Ridge Community College. Prior to joining the state police, he served three years as a reserve officer with the Staunton Police Department and two years with the Army National Guard. Trooper Clifton, 39, of Stuarts Draft, served three years as a reserve officer with the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and two years as a reserve officer with the Waynesboro Police Department. Trooper Clifton joined the state police to “be part of one of the best organizations in the country.” He reports to duty Monday in Shenandoah County.
Trooper Troy L. Johnson, 44, of Nelson County, begins his career with the state police assigned to Buckingham County.
Joining the Virginia State Police has Trooper Travis A. Lewis, 23, of Amherst, following in the footsteps of his father, 1st Sgt. K.D. Lewis. 1st Sgt. Lewis is the commander of the state police Area 21 Office, which includes the counties of Appomattox and Prince Edward. Trooper Lewis begins his career with the Department on patrol in Prince William County. He earned a degree in criminal justice from Longwood University.
As the need for highly-skilled and capable law enforcement officers increases, the Department continues to seek qualified applicants for the trooper and commercial vehicle enforcement officer positions. All interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Virginia State Police Recruitment Office at the toll-free number 1-866-877-2329 or visit the Department’s website at www.virginiatrooper.org.
Peace group raises issue with Obama Afghanistan move
President Obama’s announcement of a limited troop withdrawal from Afghanistan — America’s longest war — is bound to disappoint members of Congress and an electorate tired of the conflict.
As has been reported, senior White House officials confirmed that the President plans to remove 10,000 troops by the end of this year and another 23,000 troops by September 2012.
“Removing a few brigades this year, then several more next year, still leaves more than double the U.S. troops in Afghanistan than when President Obama took office. There’s no military solution in Afghanistan. It’s time to bring all troops and contractors home and focus on the political solution, which is the only way this costly war will end,” observed Paul Kawika Martin, the political and policy director of Peace Action — a group founded in 1957 and the largest grassroots peace organization in the U.S.
The pace of troop drawdown is significantly smaller than asked for by some in Congress. Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), chair of the Arms Services Committee, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) wanted 15,000, 30,000, and 50,000 out this year, respectfully. Today, Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) the minority chair of the Sen. Foreign Relations committee said the withdrawal was inadequate.
The President’s numbers for this year represent a small percentage of the 100,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan and over 100,000 additional contractors.
Both chambers of Congress on a bipartisan basis have pushed for a sizable number of troops to leave.
Last week, a bipartisan group of 27 U.S. Senators — led by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Tom Udall (D-NM) — sent a letter to President Obama asking for a “sizable and sustained reduction of U.S. military forces in Afghanistan, beginning in July 2011.” A half dozen more Senators made similar statements individually.
Last month, the House sent a clear signal to President for an accelerated withdrawal by narrowly failing to pass an amendment offered by Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Walter Jones (D-NC) and others to the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act. 204 Representatives voted aye, including a record 26 Republicans.
Congress has been feeling voter pressure on the war. A pew poll released yesterday showed a strong majority of Americans support bringing troops home “as soon as possible.” Peace Action organized twenty-five national organizations, representing over 30 million voters, to sign onto a letter echoing this sentiment by asking for a “sizable and sustained” withdrawal.
With the high costs of $10 Billion a month for the war, lawmakers on Capitol Hill and locally are questioning whether the costs are making the U.S. safer. The U.S. Conference of Mayors just approved a resolution calling for a speedy end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and redirection of scarce dollars for “urgent domestic needs.”
The war has become more deadly to U.S. troops, which has weighed heavy on lawmakers. Over 1,600 U.S. troops have been killed in the nearly ten-year long war. This year has surpassed 2009 as the deadliest year of the conflict, killing 57 percent more American service members. Tens of thousands more have been wounded physically and mentally. An unknown number, but estimated to be in the tens of thousands, of Afghan civilians have perished, and the United Nations reported that so far, 2011 is the worst year for civilians deaths.
Republican Presidential candidates like Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman and Ron Paul are also calling for a quicker end to the war.
Peace Action calls for all troops and contractors out of Afghanistan within one year with resources focused on political reconciliation and Afghan-led aid and development.
“In November 2012, voters will want to see less than 67,000 troops and even more contractors still in Afghanistan. The President will need to speed up his plans and announce more troops coming home to please the electorate,” concluded Martin.
The President announced his first surge of 20,000 troops in spring 2009. Then started sending another 33,000 in December of that year nearly tripling the number of troops on the ground when he took office.
Weekend Watchdog: Omaha heading to final two
It’s the second weekend of the College World Series - as the two brackets crown their winners. And Virginia fights to stay alive.
The top-seeded Cavaliers battle California in an elimination game Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2. The winner advances to Friday’s 7 p.m. matchup with South Carolina. A pair of SEC teams remain in the other bracket, as Vanderbilt takes on Florida Friday at 1 p.m.
If South Carolina and Florida win Friday, they advance to the best-of-three championship series starting Monday. If either loses, there’s a game Saturday to decide the bracket winner.
The Nationals get a shot of Saturday afternoon coverage this weekend, as they visit the White Sox. Other games in the time slot include Angels-Dodgers, Indians at Giants and Mets taking on the Rangers. TBS shows the Rockies’ visit to Yankee Stadium Sunday afternoon, while ESPN has Indians-Giants Sunday night.
Before heading to Chicago, the Nationals host Seattle in a Thursday afternoon contest on MASN. Games Friday and Sunday are on MASN, while the Orioles take on Cincinnati on MASN2 (Saturday night on MASN).
Wimbledon has reached the middle of its fortnight. ESPN2 has early coverage Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting at 7 a.m. NBC has highlights Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
Will there be an NBA season in 2011-2012? There will be a draft, Thursday on ESPN at 7:30 p.m.
On the road, NASCAR visits Sonoma Sunday at 3 p.m. on TNT. The Nationwide Series Road America race will be Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN. The Indy Car series visits Iowa Saturday at 8 p.m. on Versus.
Grab your umbrella and watch the Travelers Championship Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. on CBS.
The D.C. United host Houston Saturday at 6 p.m. on Comcast, while ESPN shows Chicago vs. New York Sunday at 2 p.m.
Germany hosts the women’s World Cup, and opens play against Canada Sunday at 11 a.m. on ESPN. Nigeria plays France at 8:45 a.m. on ESPN2.
In the WNBA, the Mystics take on Tulsa Sunday at 4 p.m. on Comcast.
Vote for WDDI!
The Waynesboro McAlister’s has chosen Waynesboro Downtown Development Inc. as its nonprofit of choice for this year’s Tea Town USA Challenge.
That puts WDDI in the running for grants worth up to $7,500.
You can vote once a day and also earn points for Waynesboro by checking in with your smart phone.
An Afternoon Tea in honor of Mrs. Monroe
Ash Lawn-Highland, home of President James Monroe, will host a formal tea in honor of the 243rd birthday of Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, June 26.
A proper afternoon tea will be served with emphasis on Monroe period etiquette. Guests will also learn the language of the fan, create a greeting card using the centuries old art of paper quilling, play nineteenth century games and dance to period music. A house tour will also be included. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Recommended for ages 8 and over. Reservations required.
Admission to the tea is $20 per person.
More info: www.al-h.us.
Celebrate the 4th in Lexington
The 15th annual Balloon Rally and 4th of July Celebration in Lexington is set for Saturday, July 2-Tuesday, July 5 at the VMI Parade Ground in Lexington.
Piloted balloon rides, tethered balloon rides, balloon glow, live music, food and craft vendors, children’s activities, antique car show and fireworks.
Free admission, activity fees vary. Sponsored by the Lexington Sunrise Rotary Club.
Info: www.sunriserotarylexva.org or 540.463.1102.
Art Center to debut new exhibit on July 8
An upcoming exhibit of works by sculptor Ken Smith of Staunton and painter Mihaylov Krasso of Brooklyn will debut at the Middlebrook Gallery in Downtown Staunton with an artists’ reception on Friday, July 8.
The exhibition in the Gallery at 5 Middlebrook Ave. will run July 8-Nov. 19. Gallery hours are Friday and Saturday 1-8 p.m.
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Chris Saxman: Cold Fusion-Nashua Debate Edition
Posted on June 23, 2011 · 1 Comment
It’s not that we have illegal immigrants, we always have, it’s that the numbers are close to 20 million.
It’s not that we have debt, we always have, it’s that it is 14 Trillion.
It’s not that the stimulus package was passed, it’s that it was 787 billion.
It’s not that we passed TARP, it’s that no one understands it and it was projected to be 300 billion.
While the Chief Justice of the SCOTUS has said that Roe v Wade is settled law, we’ve had 50 million abortions plus since that decision.
It’s not that Iran supports terrorism, it’s that they do AND they are actively developing nuclear weapons.
And it’s not that we have unemployment, it’s that the rates range between 9.1% official and close to 17% in underemployed or those who have stopped looking for work.
It’s not that derivatives as a financial instrument exist, it’s that the notional value in the US is over 300 Trillion. No, dollars. 300 trillion. No, wait. It is that they exist.
We have some major issues and it’s not that have never had them; however, the scale of the issues we face as a nation is daunting. John King of CNN decides to ask “Spicy or Mild? Elvis or Johnny Cash?” John King or Intelligence?
So, if you plan on running for POTUS and you plan on making the front runner’s record as Governor of Massachusetts the primary difference between you two, you had better bring the haymaker. Pawlenty punted on first down. And shanked the punt to boot.
As I shared with you earlier, he’s not going to be president anyway, so in a way this kind of helps speed up the divvying up of his votes to those who remain in contention.
My top tier heading into the debate was, in alphabetical order, Cain – Huntsman – Perry and Romney. The others just will not win the general election. Again, not that they are bad people or are wrong on an issue, it’s just that they cannot beat Obama head to head.
To the nearest 10 million, guess how many more people voted in 2012 than voted in 1980. Try 45 million. Reagan won Independents (56%) Republicans -duh- (85%) whites (56%) and Catholics (52%) in 1980. He also got 14% of African Americans and 37% of Hispanics. Over 8 million more Hispanics voted in 2012 than in 1980 and over 7 million more African Americans voted in 2012 than 1980.
In other news ….
Al Qaeda has chosen Ayman Al Zawahiri to succeed Usama bin Missing The Back of My Skull. Apparently Al Qaeda does not announce vote totals or margins of victory.
Senator Claire McCaskill went on Frank Luntz’s show to speak with a focus group of Obama and McCain voters. She said DC needed to be able to compromise on issues to tackle our deficit and debt problems. Sen. McCaskill voted against ending ethanol subsidies. Three times. This week.
Sen. McCaskill also answered a member of the focus group who had agreed with Ronald Reagan’s policy of cutting taxes in order to get the economy growing by saying “but that started deficit spending”. Googled it. Wrong.
Since 1940 there have been 12 years in which the federal government has had a surplus. 12 out of 70 and it mysteriously began with Reagan. In fact, Bush II’s largest deficits were smaller when adjusted for inflation than the FDR/Truman budgets at the end of WWII. Not trying to compare our country’s plight today to the Second World War but Reagan is not to blame for deficit spending as a consistent policy of the federal government – which it is – regardless of party.
In other news….
Oprah has a dream that O.J. Simpson will confess to her to being a double murderer on her new network. She said this to a convention of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association in Chicago. Hmmm…Chicago. I wonder who else in a high position might have an opinion on that. Maybe Oprah should ask Obama what he thinks about O.J.
The president is going to announce a draw down of US troops in Afghanistan. For some reason he thinks this is deserving of a prime time Oval Office speech. He can’t do a press conference since he will draw questions on our military actions in Libya or Yemen sans Congressional approval as prescribed by law – that would be off message.
Real message – some laws are to be followed, others…well, it depends who you are.
In other news, the Obama Administration is trying to get the economy going by stopping Boeing from building planes in South Carolina. Apparently, this was not a recommendation of his photo op Jobs Council. Based on their recommendations, it’s clear that we will not be creating jobs anytime soon.
As the chief economist to the US Chamber of Commerce suggested on Christiane Amanpour’s show – “just get out of the way”.
In good news….the Joe Biden and Eric Cantor deficit and debt reduction talks seem to be making real progress. No seriously, they are.
An intrepid young freshman, and former colleague of mine, is enjoying his new job and taking up his time by *GASP* reading the bills. In one agriculture appropriations bill he found that someone actually wrote into the law a $75,000,000 appropriation for breastfeeding peer counseling. In the same paragraph, $7,500,000 was to be used for breastfeeding performance awards.
How the human race managed to get to 2011 AD without the US federal government all those years is beyond me. Apparently medical marijuana is very legal in DC, readily available and widely used.
Thankfully for Father’s Day, the family political scholar, my mom (3.92/Magna Cum Laude/2011 college grad!) gave me the book “The Quotable Hitchens”.
Christopher Hitchens is one of my favorite authors. Okay, he might just be my favorite.
No, I don’t agree with him all the time. Probably not even half the time. But his use and control of the English language is….well…let’s just say I would much prefer him to moderate the next GOP POTUS debate than have to endure John King again.
From a range of issues and people and ideas, Hitchens is brilliant and makes one think.
A lot. For instance -
“Just as no human being of average moral capacity could be indifferent to the sight of a woman being kicked in the stomach, so nobody could fail to be far more outraged if the woman in question were pregnant. Embryology confirms morality”.
“The decision to put an end to the regime of Saddam Hussein is the right one, and was also the only one…”
While not even close to being a fan of Reagan or Clinton, he also holds no affection for Gandhi or Mother Theresa. His description of Al Gore cannot be shared here, but it is jaw dropping. Oddly, as a leftist, he has respect and admiration for William F Buckley and Pope John Paul II.
I say leftist but he was excommunicated by the Left after the Iraq War. He really is a man of his own thoughts and really doesn’t care what anyone else thinks.
His praise of Washington and Jefferson should be shared…but you really should get the book. There is too much to be challenged in your own thinking to let this chance be encapsulated here.
Had he been on stage behind one of the podiums at the GOP debate in Nashua, he no doubt would have delighted in having a drink and a cigarette while eviscerating an unknowing John King all the while trying to figure out why any of his compatriots on stage were actually there.
Oh, right….New Hampshire. Yeah. Romney will win that state.
Hitchens on the Subprime/Derivative “horror show” as he calls it ” everybody was promised everything and almost everybody fell for the populist bait”.
Here’s to more thought and less populous bait at the next debate.
Filed under Blogs · Tagged with chris saxman, cold fusion, michelle bachman, mitt romney, newt gingrich, republican president, ron paul, sarah palin, tim pawlenty