Anytime an 11 year old sets out to do something that many of us fail to do, it should be commended. In this case, 11 year old William has created weewa news, which is dedicated to bringing positive news to the rest of us in the blogosphere.
I guess we could all take a hint from William every now and then :)
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Podium Notes...
On a personal note, I will be out of town tomorrow and Wednesday, so very little (if any) blogging will happen on those two days. This is pretty much the last of my time off from The Podium for a while. This is as close to a real vacation as I am going to get, as the previous few weeks have been work-work-work, which leaves little time for blogging, obviously.
Anyway, I should have a Weekly Podium up sometime soon. Also, I hope Blogspot updates sometime soon, as I have this and 3 or 4 other blog posts posted that aren't showing...grrr.
UPDATE: Of course, the minute I post this, all of my other posts show up...figures. Peace kids, I'll be back on Thursday.
Anyway, I should have a Weekly Podium up sometime soon. Also, I hope Blogspot updates sometime soon, as I have this and 3 or 4 other blog posts posted that aren't showing...grrr.
UPDATE: Of course, the minute I post this, all of my other posts show up...figures. Peace kids, I'll be back on Thursday.
Larry Sabato Nails It
This quote from his most recent Crystal Ball column is very, very true.
"...the Democrats keep looking for another John F. Kennedy and the Republicans continue to search for a second Ronald Reagan; neither party will ever find its man."
While it's always good to look to the past to find inspiration for the future, as well as to not repeat the same mistakes twice, both parties need to realize that you can't simply attempt to find a clone of a previous leader. You need to find someone who will do great things for America in current times, as well.
That's why I like Fred Thompson. He embodies a lot of the aspects of Ronald Reagan that I like, and he has a certain demeanor that reminds me of Reagan, but I will never say that Fred Thompson is the second Ronald Reagan. Fred Thompson is Fred Thompson...simple as that. That's why I like him.
"...the Democrats keep looking for another John F. Kennedy and the Republicans continue to search for a second Ronald Reagan; neither party will ever find its man."
While it's always good to look to the past to find inspiration for the future, as well as to not repeat the same mistakes twice, both parties need to realize that you can't simply attempt to find a clone of a previous leader. You need to find someone who will do great things for America in current times, as well.
That's why I like Fred Thompson. He embodies a lot of the aspects of Ronald Reagan that I like, and he has a certain demeanor that reminds me of Reagan, but I will never say that Fred Thompson is the second Ronald Reagan. Fred Thompson is Fred Thompson...simple as that. That's why I like him.
Question for the 24th State Senate District Bloggers/Voters
Many of you supported Scott Sayre. This we know, and this makes sense. Hanger has voted for tax increases, tuition relief for illegal immigrants, and insulted the grassroots. Sayre ended up providing a tough challenge for the well-entrenched incumbent Hanger.
Now, I you supporting Hanger due to the (R) next to his name. Ok, I can see the sense in that. Help the Republicans keep the majority, keep the General Assembly at least leaning towards the right. Potts and Chichester are gone, so that's two old RINO's outta there, already
However, given that Arin Sime represents many of the pro-Sayre/anti-Hanger talking points, and is probably likely to side with the GOP on many issues...why all of this sudden support for Hanger? I know STD mentioned something about how Libertarians are "wrong" on social issues (and that depends on which libertarian you talk to), Sime makes more sense than any other candidate on controlling spending and sensible budgets.
Social issues aside (because let's be honest, abortion and gay marriage are not the most pressing issues to the general populous of Virginia), it's time for Sime. I urge conservatives to take a second look at Arin Sime in the 24th before blindly getting behind Emmett Hanger.
Now, I you supporting Hanger due to the (R) next to his name. Ok, I can see the sense in that. Help the Republicans keep the majority, keep the General Assembly at least leaning towards the right. Potts and Chichester are gone, so that's two old RINO's outta there, already
However, given that Arin Sime represents many of the pro-Sayre/anti-Hanger talking points, and is probably likely to side with the GOP on many issues...why all of this sudden support for Hanger? I know STD mentioned something about how Libertarians are "wrong" on social issues (and that depends on which libertarian you talk to), Sime makes more sense than any other candidate on controlling spending and sensible budgets.
Social issues aside (because let's be honest, abortion and gay marriage are not the most pressing issues to the general populous of Virginia), it's time for Sime. I urge conservatives to take a second look at Arin Sime in the 24th before blindly getting behind Emmett Hanger.
Gilmore Gone...For Now
Ok, so Jim Gilmore is out of a presidential primary race that he really, to be honest, had no chance to win anyway. However, now the chatter is regarding a possible Gilmore run in 2008 for the retiring John Warner, or even another run at the Governor's mansion in 2009.
Either way, Gilmore evokes strong emotions on both sides of the coin. This is a gift and a curse for Gilmore, and much of his success depends on who wins the Presidency in 2008 and what kind of job they do. It also depends on who runs against him.
If a centrist Democrat ran against Gilmore, he would be in trouble. Gilmore is a solid conservative, and that stance will only help him if a Republican wins the 2008 Presidential election and manages to become at least mildly popular with the public. If a Democrat wins, Gilmore has to deal with a more left-friendly voting public.
If Gilmore draws an opponent who is a further-left Democrat, he could capitalize on that polarization, as I believe that Virginia voters (as a whole) would prefer a solid conservative over a solid liberal, if given the choice. This state is pretty much a "purple state", but it's still got heavier shades of red within that purple fabric.
Gilmore, however, has been around since the 90's as a name in the mouths of the political pundits of our state. Many believe that, in order for the GOP to have future success in Virginia, they need to bring out more "fresh faces".
Then again, we haven't seen much of Gilmore outside of the primary debates...so even though he's not a "fresh face", he's also been out of Virginia politics for quite a few years, now. Maybe Gilmore could reintroduce himself to the voting public. To be honest, it's not like there are many other GOP choices out there that aren't already stalwarts and common names in the Virginia political scene.
Either way, Gilmore evokes strong emotions on both sides of the coin. This is a gift and a curse for Gilmore, and much of his success depends on who wins the Presidency in 2008 and what kind of job they do. It also depends on who runs against him.
If a centrist Democrat ran against Gilmore, he would be in trouble. Gilmore is a solid conservative, and that stance will only help him if a Republican wins the 2008 Presidential election and manages to become at least mildly popular with the public. If a Democrat wins, Gilmore has to deal with a more left-friendly voting public.
If Gilmore draws an opponent who is a further-left Democrat, he could capitalize on that polarization, as I believe that Virginia voters (as a whole) would prefer a solid conservative over a solid liberal, if given the choice. This state is pretty much a "purple state", but it's still got heavier shades of red within that purple fabric.
Gilmore, however, has been around since the 90's as a name in the mouths of the political pundits of our state. Many believe that, in order for the GOP to have future success in Virginia, they need to bring out more "fresh faces".
Then again, we haven't seen much of Gilmore outside of the primary debates...so even though he's not a "fresh face", he's also been out of Virginia politics for quite a few years, now. Maybe Gilmore could reintroduce himself to the voting public. To be honest, it's not like there are many other GOP choices out there that aren't already stalwarts and common names in the Virginia political scene.
Blogs United Gets Some Press
The Daily Press covered the event. Kudos to Phriendly Jaime for getting quoted. I honestly wish I could have been there, but previously planned events kept me from attending.
However, the DWJ crowd kept me informed, lots of interesting events occurred this weekend. I will be there next year. Hopefully, I can get on one of these panels and throw in my two cents...by then, I should be better established in the blogosphere.
If not, I'll just show up, drink, and be merry. I just hope this event continues to be "united" and bipartisan in it's efforts. Otherwise, we're just exacerbating the Red/Blue divide.
However, the DWJ crowd kept me informed, lots of interesting events occurred this weekend. I will be there next year. Hopefully, I can get on one of these panels and throw in my two cents...by then, I should be better established in the blogosphere.
If not, I'll just show up, drink, and be merry. I just hope this event continues to be "united" and bipartisan in it's efforts. Otherwise, we're just exacerbating the Red/Blue divide.
Word of Advice for Environmentalists
There are ways of creating awareness of helping the environment. However, tact would be something to be considered when approaching those with a less-alarmist mentality. An example of this can be found in a book I am reading entitled A.D.K.A.R.: A Model For Change in Business, Government and our Community by Jeffrey M. Hiatt.
The example I am providing refers to how, in 1993, Green Hotels Association implemented a small change in how customers treated the bath towels, and ended up creating positive changes for both the hotels in the association, and for the environment as well. It started with a small card in each hotel bathroom that read as follows...
"Each day we use millions of gallons of water and tons of detergent in hotels to wash guest towels that have only been used once.
Decide for yourself. A towel on the rack means 'I will use it again.'
A towel on the floor means: 'Please exchange.'"
Within 10 years, the hotels that implemented the changes had shown significant reduction in both water and detergent use, which saved both money and resources. These cards can now be seen in over 150,000 hotel rooms worldwide.
Now, the point of all this is simple. There wasn't any forceful language in that notice that the association had provided. It was simply creating awareness and asking the customer to make a choice. This is what environmental alarmists need to do. Instead of the "Chicken Little" approach to trying to "educate" the masses to conserve energy, simple tact and spreading knowledge without threats, force, or simple bloviating would probably get their message out there without negative backlash. This way, you're allowing the American public to make their own decisions...instead of attempting to force change without the option to do so.
Of course, saying "this is the consensus" without getting an actual consensus doesn't help the credibility of these alarmists, either.
The example I am providing refers to how, in 1993, Green Hotels Association implemented a small change in how customers treated the bath towels, and ended up creating positive changes for both the hotels in the association, and for the environment as well. It started with a small card in each hotel bathroom that read as follows...
"Each day we use millions of gallons of water and tons of detergent in hotels to wash guest towels that have only been used once.
Decide for yourself. A towel on the rack means 'I will use it again.'
A towel on the floor means: 'Please exchange.'"
Within 10 years, the hotels that implemented the changes had shown significant reduction in both water and detergent use, which saved both money and resources. These cards can now be seen in over 150,000 hotel rooms worldwide.
Now, the point of all this is simple. There wasn't any forceful language in that notice that the association had provided. It was simply creating awareness and asking the customer to make a choice. This is what environmental alarmists need to do. Instead of the "Chicken Little" approach to trying to "educate" the masses to conserve energy, simple tact and spreading knowledge without threats, force, or simple bloviating would probably get their message out there without negative backlash. This way, you're allowing the American public to make their own decisions...instead of attempting to force change without the option to do so.
Of course, saying "this is the consensus" without getting an actual consensus doesn't help the credibility of these alarmists, either.
American Public Finds General Liberal Bias in MSM
This time, there are poll numbers to back it up, courtesy of Rasmussen Reports.
As you'll see, only Fox News has more of a perceived conservative bias. However, only NPR and Fox News have a higher "no slant" poll number than anything else. Where as CNN and the ABC/NBC/CBS crowd are seen more as liberal than anything else.
Nonetheless, these numbers are interesting, and show what the American public thinks.
Table is as follows: Blue for a liberal slant, Red for a conservative slant, Green for "no slant".
- ABC/NBC/CBS News - 39%/20%/25%
- CNN - 33%/16%/32%
- NPR - 27%/14%/37%
- Fox News - 15%/31%/36%
As you'll see, only Fox News has more of a perceived conservative bias. However, only NPR and Fox News have a higher "no slant" poll number than anything else. Where as CNN and the ABC/NBC/CBS crowd are seen more as liberal than anything else.
Nonetheless, these numbers are interesting, and show what the American public thinks.
Table is as follows: Blue for a liberal slant, Red for a conservative slant, Green for "no slant".
- ABC/NBC/CBS News - 39%/20%/25%
- CNN - 33%/16%/32%
- NPR - 27%/14%/37%
- Fox News - 15%/31%/36%
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