Back of the pack. Just like Michigan, sadly.

"That's Saul, folks!"
Michigan Republican Party Blog: Stabenow: one of the worst: "Stabenow rated among lowest of all U.S. Senators
Stabenow received a 6% taxpayer rating
Washington, D.C. � Debbie Stabenow is among the worst abusers of taxpayer money, according to the non-partisan National Taxpayers Union (NTU). NTU just released their ratings for the 109th Congress for the first session of 2005. Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow received a rating of 6% from the NTU. Stabenow is rated worse than the most notoriously liberal Senators, Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, and John Kerry. Only 4 U.S. Senators ranked worse than Debbie Stabenow.

The new Democrat leadership?

The Corner on National Review Online: "Moreover, it is enduringly fascinating how deeply invested many liberals are in comedians (and to a lesser extent, movie stars). There's of course Al Franken and Jeneane Garofalo (a recovering somewhat funny person), but even Jon Stewart is increasingly becoming a Big Thinker according to some liberals (at least from conversations I've had with them and bits and pieces on the web). I'm a big fan of Stewart's, too � even though I think he's become a bit too partisan of late. But, it would be interesting to hear a serious liberal explore the reason for why this is so. I think it's an interesting phenomena. What does it say about the 'real' spokespeople of the left � journalists, politicians, activists et al. � that the most appealing figures are ones who get to hide behind clown make-up whenever the kitchen gets too hot? I have my own theories, but an explanation from the left would be more interesting. "

Sophistry 101

Media Blog on National Review Online: "Speaking for the Defense
05/01 11:42 AM - The Markup

As regards the firing of CIA official Mary McCarthy, the Washington Post is in the same untenable position that the New York Times was in during the Judith Miller episode � the editors know something they're not telling, but they go on reporting the story as if they don't know. One undisputed point is that McCarthy had unauthorized contacts with reporters � including, according the CIA, the Washington Post's Dana Priest. But Priest won't confirm or deny that, and she certainly won't talk about what information McCarthy might have given her. The fact that the Post has this information but won't reveal it opens a lot of questions about its reporting on the story � specifically, the tendency of all it's articles about McCarthy to sympathetically portray her as the victim of a CIA witch hunt.

CUTE - 3 BABY PORCUPINES

CUTE - 3 BABY PORCUPINES

Imagine if all illegals stayed home.

News Forum Home Page: "If illegal aliens had stayed home the twin towers would still be standing "
from Lucianne.com

Democrat perfidy!

OpinionJournal - Hot Topic: "Mr. Schumer and most of his Democratic colleagues in the Senate--the very crowd shouting the loudest about 'obscene' gas prices--have voted uniformly for nearly 20 years against allowing most domestic oil production. They have vetoed opening even a tiny portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil and gas production. If there is as much oil as the U.S. Geological Survey estimates, this would increase America's proven domestic oil reserves by about 50%."

Ethanol

Ethanol: "David Pimental, a leading Cornell University agricultural expert, has calculated that powering the average U.S. automobile for one year on ethanol (blended with gasoline) derived from corn would require 11 acres of farmland, the same space needed to grow a year's supply of food for seven people. Adding up the energy costs of corn production and its conversion into ethanol, 131,000 BTUs are needed to make one gallon of ethanol. One gallon of ethanol has an energy value of only 77,000 BTUS. Thus, 70 percent more energy is required to produce ethanol than the energy that actually is in it. Every time you make one gallon of ethanol, there is a net energy loss of 54,000 BTUs."

Don't tell anyone!

Six years later, the Dow is back csmonitor.com: "Behind the rebound is a solid economy, emphasized last Friday when the Commerce Department reported that the nation's gross domestic product grew at a swift 4.8 percent, the best growth in 2-1/2 years. Indeed, the healthy economy is pumping up corporate earnings, which have been growing at double-digit rates. Some of the fastest-growing engines of economic growth are at the nation's smallest companies, whose stocks have averaged about a 20 percent gain per year for the past five years.
bush's fault?

"relative unknowns......."

I'm pretty sure no one in the movie is known to most theatregoers. And there is the obligatory "too soon" bull. Mindless...
"Universal Pictures' (GE: news) 'United 93,' featuring a cast of relative unknowns, including several people really involved in the saga of the doomed flight who played themselves, grossed $11.6 million. Though the film has generally received good reviews, there was concern that many would feel it was too soon since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to relive that day in a movie theater. "

Maybe the GOPers shouda tested their levels...

...... before they launched their oil company jihad and $ give-a-way.
Blood Alcohol Estimator Caremark Health Resources: "Blood Alcohol Estimator
Is it safe to drive home if you had a glass of wine with dinner two hours ago? Does a martini really get you more drunk than a beer, or does it just feel that way? Our handy tool can show you how different amounts -- and types -- of alcoholic drinks affect you, so you can stay safe when you're out enjoying yourself. "

Bozo alert!!!!!!!!

Are these guys nuts?
Sharp Reaction to G.O.P. Plan on Gas Rebate - New York Times: "The Senate Republican plan to mail $100 checks to voters to ease the burden of high gasoline prices is eliciting more scorn than gratitude from the very people it was intended to help."

Looks like an amoeba to me....

The Coloradoan - www.coloradoan.com - Ft. Collins, CO.: "Juanita Gonzales came to Fort Collins last week with a heavy heart.
She planned to return to her home in North Platte, Neb., today with renewed faith after seeing an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the trunk of a small tree in her niece's yard."

Libs won't allow you to pump your own gas?

Blue state idiocy!
ChannelOklahoma.com - Automotive - N.J. May Get Self-Serve Gas To Lower Prices: "Only New Jersey and Oregon require full-service gas pumping. New Jersey banned self-serve in 1949 as a safety measure."
The left at it's best!
Classic example of "Gordo's Rule"* and the leftist cartoon dude suggesting that folks who want to save a bit on gas by pumping their own are "self-serving tightwads". .
*(Gordo'sRule "if it's a democrat jerk, we won't publish his/her/it's political affiliation)

Ezprezzo.com - Amazing hot air balloons

Ezprezzo.com - Amazing hot air balloons

Why do they do it?

I hated it when Imus embarrassed himself, the Clintons and the entire country at this idiotic dinner. I think this type of Presidential debasement is awful. Is this the new Chief of Staff at work? I sure hope not.
Colbert Lampoons Bush at White House Correspondents Dinner-- President Not Amused?: "A blistering comedy "tribute" to President Bush by Comedy Central's faux talk show host Stephen Colbert at the White House Correspondent Dinner Saturday night left George and Laura Bush unsmiling at its close. "

Hit and Run

Hit and Run: "Why does it always seem like progressives support any intervention that clearly does not advance any American interests? (I don't think invading Iraq advanced our national interests, but people made that case, which you definitely can't in the case of Sudan.) "

"...no political power"

Total bummer, dude. They come over here illegally and can't even vote!
Immigrant rights to get attention at Sunday rally: "They are the voiceless with no political power. When they are abused or cheated, they have no legal rights. Often referred to as 'illegal immigrants".
This from my hometown newspaper, The Muskegon Chronicle. And they wonder why subscriptions fall.....

Ultimate MILF

iowahawk: First Annual Earth Week Cruise Night: "First Annual Earth Week Cruise Night
It's that time of year when we honor the ultimate MILF: Mother Earth! Yes friends, Gaia called and you responded - with candid pics showing how you get your freak on with that saucy pagan eco-tart. "
Hey, neo-cons can celebrate EarthWeak too....

Investigate the consumers!

Heck, it's a lot more fun to demonize a fat, super rich oil executive than inform your public.
Sadly, Tom Bray's last column.
Government remains biggest oil profiteer: "'From 1986 to 2003, using 2004 dollars, the real national annual average price for gasoline, including taxes, generally has been below $2 per gallon,' noted the Federal Trade Commission in a 2005 report absolving the industry of collusion. 'By contrast, between 1919 and 1985, real national annual average retail gasoline prices were above $2 per gallon more often than not.'
In other words, gasoline prices were lower than at anytime since 1919 for much of recent history. Some conspiracy! Maybe somebody should have been investigating consumers for 'gouging' the oil companies."

The concept of "American Heros" is painful to the left.

Seems the fine folks who cannonized FatMike are startin' to get picky about facts.
WP: "United 93" includes invented details: "Those scenes raise questions: How far can a dramatic movie go in imposing its own reality before it distorts the public's understanding of the event? And with memories of 9/11 still vivid and raw, is it too soon for such films to be made?"
I loathe this headline from the article.
"United 93’ movie includes invented details".

more Proof there is a God.......

Another chink in armor of the "men=women" crowd I betcha.
Getting a beer gut was never so easy - What Were They Thinking - MSNBC.com: "a Reno, Nev. company has come up with a truly innovative solution: The Beerbelly -- a stealthy strap-on beer holder that disguises itself as a bulging stomach."

and they wonder why we mock them......

Another Hollywood lefty shoots his IQ in the foot, again.
JAKE GYLLENHAAL - GYLLENHAAL OFFENDS GULF WAR VETERANS:
Movie star JAKE GYLLENHAAL has shocked American Gulf War veterans by joking they did nothing but 'masturbate' during their time in the desert in 1991. The cheeky 25-year-old stars in JARHEAD, a movie exposing the US soldiers' lack of combat in the Middle Eastern conflict. He said, 'The US soldiers were sent to the desert for 122 days and they sat in the same tent and did nothing, except a little too much masturbating.'
I guess he ought to know....

Watch the birdie!

Eagle Eye Cam - Powered By Infotec Business Systems
Sometimes they're busy. Worth the wait.
3 eggs. Ready to eagle up pretty soon!
Nice link from MrDeight, (MLive.com)
Found this in Bay City. They say the eggs are about to hatch!

Rush is drug free and ready to fill the gap!

Threads2: "Air America Deflates
Just past its second birthday, Air America, the Left's great hope to defeat the Right in the talk radio wars, has no reason to celebrate. Winter 2006 Arbitron ratings, leaked to Matt Drudge earlier this week and reported in greater detail by the invaluable Radio Equalizer blog, show Air America registering a weak 1.0 share in Los Angeles, an even tinier share in Chicago, and a catastrophic drop in New York City... "

Isn't that nice.....

Who are we to say that Mexican drug laws aren't superior to ours?

Mexico's Congress approved a bill yesterday that would allow possession of small quantities of marijuana, Ecstasy, cocaine and even heroin. "
SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Mexico -- Mexico legal-drug bill condemned:
List of maximum allowable drug quantities approved for personal use by Mexico's Congress:
Opium: (raw, to be smoked): 5 grams
Heroin: 25 milligrams
Marijuana: 5 grams
Cocaine: 500 milligrams
LSD: .015 milligrams
MDA: 200 milligrams
MDMA (Ecstasy): 200 milligrams
Mescaline: 1 gram
Peyote: 1 kilogram
Psilocybin (concentrate, pure, active ingredient): 100 milligrams
Hallucinogenic mushrooms (raw, off the farm): 250 milligrams
Amphetamines: 100 milligrams
Dexamphetamines: 40 milligrams
Phencyclidine (PCP, or Angel Dust): 7 milligrams
Methamphetamines: 200 milligrams
Nalbuphine (synthetic opiate): 10 milligrams
SOURCE: Associated Press
My golly! The whole bunch ought to fit into a sixth grader's backpack. I guess our strength is our diversity....

Some comments on seeing the movie...

Read these before you see the movie. Read 'em again after you've seen it.
Ace of Spades HQ: "Flight 93 Review, From A Commenter
I'm witholding his name right now, as I haven't gotten permission to post this. I imagine he doesn't mind if it's posted, or even if I use his name; I'll give him attribution when he says it's okay.
It sounds grim, but absolutely necessary to see."

USA National Gas Temperature Map

USA National Gas Temperature Map

Jeepers, this map kinda shows that living in a "blue" state has its cost in gas prices. Wonder why....

I saw the movie "United 93" today....

I was prepared to cry, so I went alone to the theatre. I was also expecting to be angry, as I was on 9-11 and still am. But "United 93" made me neither sad nor angry. I was proud. Proud of the heroic men and women of flight United 93. Proud of the air traffic controllers. Proud of how this movie embodies the American spirit. See this excellent and very intense movie and be proud of these 21st century minutemen and women.
TCS Daily - Too Soon to Forget: "And so the last point: Is it 'too soon' for this movie? For the answer to that question I will yield to David Beamer, father of Todd, who says, 'Is it too soon to remember? It's too soon to forget.' "

Those who would advise us that it's "too soon" are of the same cut as Neville Chamberlain, Jimmy Carter and the Vichy French. While we must remember and honor all of the true heros of this gallant war against evil, we must forever focus on those whose singular goal in life is to see our civilization and our children perish. Never forget.

Read this review to see....

... how defeatists and appeasers really think.
The problem with the United 93 films. By RonRosenbaum: "
Universal's United 93
But is the fable of Flight 93 the recompense that it's been built up to be? Does what happened on Flight 93 represent a triumph of the human spirit, a microcosmic model and portent of the ultimate victory of enlightenment civilization over theocratic savagery, as the prerelease publicity about the new film insists? Or is the story of United Flight 93 a different kind of portent, not "the DNA of our times," but rather the RIP?
The "fable of Flight 93"? What level of denial has this skunk sunk to?

Feds take $.46 and Exxon takes $.28

Media Research Center Home Page: "The networks hyperventilated about ExxonMobil's $8.4 billion first quarter profits and ABC chose not to report that government taxes far exceed oil company earnings for a $3 gallon of gas, 46 cents goes to the taxman and 28 cents to Exxon. "
Would it hurt the MSM to put things in perspective?
Yeah right....