Disrespect

In the wake of Tuesday's defection of Sen. Arlen Specter to the Democratic Party, the National Republican Senatorial Committee is taking an interesting approach in an attempt to sour Pennsylvania Democrats on supporting the veteran senator: painting him with the past support of Rush Limbaugh, Rick Santorum, and former President George W. Bush. In a new ad, the NRSC is attempting to show that Sen. Specter -- as recently as 5 years ago -- had the full-throated support of some of the right-wing's biggest names.

I kind of feel bad for George W. Bush, though. Throughout the campaign he had to get beaten down everyday by President Obama, and Sen. McCain lost the election -- in part, at least -- due to his perceived association with Bush. But now the former president's own party is using an association with him as a bad thing. The man led the Republican Party for 8 years -- and nearly had a rubber congressional stamp for the first 6 of those years -- but 100 days after leaving the highest office in the land he is a mockery even to them.

Talk about disrespect.

12 Blue Letters

In the past, when you crossed the Mid-Hudson Bridge and entered Poughkeepsie, you were greeted with a classy marble monument welcoming you to the city. Not anymore. Now, we have 12 individual oversized blue letters -- "P O U G H K E E P S I E" -- each standing a few feet above the ground. This sign area no longer conveys "Welcome to our city," but rather "Welcome to our Ford dealership." And this is the 2nd time in recent memory that this sign has been changed. Are there not better things to do with our time and money?

Anti-Tax Tea Party

So, I was not able to make it out to the Anti-Tax Tea Party at Dutchess Stadium last night, due to circumstances beyond my control (i.e. a broken water main near my house). But I did check out the Poughkeepsie Journal article and the accompanying video, and I was impressed.

I was first impressed at the number of people who turned out. In yesterday's post I mocked the fact that the protest was moved to Dutchess Stadium because I didn't think anywhere near that large an amount would show up. But I stand corrected, because Dutchess Stadium was almost full.

I was also impressed when I watched the 2 minute video clip. Specifically, impressed of the gentleman giving the Nazi salute; impressed of the signs that portrayed President Obama with a Hitler mustache; impressed by the 8-year-old boy who was exploited by his parent by allowing him to speak on camera about that which he is probably not properly educated. Not really what I would call a meeting of the high-minded of society. Being impressed is not always a compliment.

And in truth, the whole thing is a sham as these people feign disdain for taxes. It's not the taxes they dislike, but the man in charge. Are you telling me that for 8 years of the Bush Administration this group of people were fine with running up the largest debt and deficit in U.S. history, but 3 months of the Obama Administration is just too much? Obama's the one destroying the economy? Obama is the one "destroying" the country? Give me a break.

Thank you, water main.

Update: At an Anti-Tax Tea Party in Texas yesterday, Governor Rock Perry said: "There's a lot of different scenarios. We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that. But Texas is a very unique place, and we're a pretty independent lot to boot."

Nice. So, add him to the list of prominent Texas Republicans (that includes Chuck Norris) for whom patriotism is just a word.

Tax Day

First of all, I hope that you have filed your 2008 taxes. If not, I hope you got an extension. If not, good luck.

Second, if you still had any doubt in your mind that Fox News is nothing more than a conservative propaganda machine, tune in today to see the all-day coverage of the "Anti-Tax Tea Party," which are supposedly a series of anti-tax protests going on throughout the country. If you click the link above, you will see that not only is Fox News trying to elevate this into the most important event of the year, but they are actively trying to get people to attend in order to sway opinions. Not exactly "We Report, You Decide."

I've found that there is a protest scheduled for 7pm tonight at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, and I am going to try to make it out. The protest was originally slated for Doug Phillips Park in Fishkill, but was moved to the stadium "due to the overwhelming response from people wanting to attend." Good thing, too, because if Fox News is right I won't be able to find a seat!

The Wrong Way To Save

I realize that we're all trying to save money in this difficult economy, but this is the wrong way to get your kicks on the cheap.

It's All Fun And Games

When many of us were younger, a saying that we would often hear from our parents or other adults was: "It's all fun and games until someone puts an eye out." Truer advice has probably never been spoken, as most if not all of us would agree that when someone loses an eye it puts a pretty serious drag on a good time.

However, given the events of the past week, I think that it might be time to update the timeless saying. Or at least give it a new twist. How about: "It's all fun and games being a pirate until you have to face down the U.S. military." Catchy. Maybe: "It's all fun and games being a pirate until President Obama orders your head blown off." I like it.

Of course, for years children have been playing the incredibly politically incorrect "Cowboys and Indians" (with little knowledge of the fact that the "Indians" were not necessarily the "bad guys"). Now, we have a perfect chance to change things around for the better. How about: "Navy SEALS and Pirates"? Well, it sounds good, until every child demands that their parents install a pool.

It's always nice to be reminded of the superb capabilities of our armed forces. Well done.

Too Close To Call

The results from yesterday's special election for New York's 20th congressional district are still too close to call, though Democrat Scott Murphy reportedly has a slight lead over Republican Jim Tedisco. So after hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent by both sides, we're still not going to know the outcome for two weeks, after the absentee ballots have been counted.

And in what seems to me like a clear instance of media-generated hype, yesterday and Monday CNN was referring to the special election as an early referendum on President Obama's administration. Give me a break. Though to be honest, I'm surprised that the race didn't receive more national attention, since the news media will favor process over issues seven days a week and twice on Sundays. I know I'm sick of the commercials.

And in other news, tonight is the series finale of ER, and it only comes about 7 years too late.