Dem Recruits Dropping Like Flies?

Apparently so, as five different Democratic Party recruits to challenge in various Congressional districts have dropped out.

Are they riding out a GOP tide and hoping for a better climate in 2012? Some of these declarations not to run don't really have much in the way of a reason behind them, so I imagine they are folding for now and waiting for an opportunity that they think will open up to them down the road.

The biggest question is: will that better opportunity rear it's head in 2012? Not if things continue on it's current pace...

So Much for "New and Improved"

The new airport body scanners in the UK would not have detected the bomb that was carried by the Christmas Day terrorist. At the same time, the new "pat-downs" being used in American airports would not have been effective, either.

We need to stop playing "catch-up" and start getting ahead of the game with these terrorists. I'm obviously not an expert in this area, but if methods supposedly don't work, why are we continuing to implement them?

McDonnell Seeks to Remove Gubernatorial Term Limits

The Gov.-elect would like to see an end to the law that keeps Virginia Governors from serving consecutive terms. This really is not a new viewpoint amongst previous Governors, but I believe McDonnell is just simply voicing his viewpoint, and not creating a point of contention between himself and the General Assembly (which traditionally has not supported such a change).

I do believe that his proposal to change the years that the biennial budgets from odd to even years (to avoid saddling an incoming governor with a previous governor's budget) is a very smart proposal and one that I believe will be McDonnell's key focus (along with job growth and transportation improvements) in his first year as Governor.

(h/t Delmarva Dealings)

Reason's Best and Worst of the 2000's

There were some good and bad, but the video clip in the article sums it up well.

Worst. Political Decade. Ever.

Managing Editor Jesse Walker's "Best" and Worst" of the 2000's probably hits the nail on the head harder than anything else.

"Worst: The Permanent Crisis. The best thing about the '90s was that they fell between the Cold War and the War on Terror, with no grand themes to empower and enable the political class—or, at least, no themes grander than school uniforms and Marilyn Manson records. The result was the most individualist decade since the last inter-crisis period, the 1920s. Then the Aughts gave us a new existential military threat and a new economic crisis, allowing Washington to enter a permanent stampede mode.

Best: Mash-ups. There was a time when you had rely on hip friends with collections of samizdat cassettes if you wanted to hear a weird, funny remix of, say, Ronald Reagan talking about a can of meat. Now you can't go a day without YouTube overflowing with new homebrewed cut-ups of anything notable a politician, newscaster, or other celebrity did on camera in the last 24 hours. As the government keeps accruing power, we can at least enjoy the consolation prize of holding new tools for mocking the bastards as they screw us."

Damn right!

The Latest Sign That Tim Tebow is Insanely Popular

The top two items in Google Hot Trends are "Tebow Cam" followed by the passage from Ephesians that Tebow had on his eye-black tonight (for those of you who don't know, Tebow is a DEVOUT Christian and has a different bible passage printed on his eye-black for each game).

Tebow ended his college career as a winner, as Florida surprisingly stomped Cincinatti 51-24 tonight in the Sugar Bowl.

By the way, so you don't have to look up the passage, Ephesians 2:8-10 is as follows...

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselfs; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Given that this was Tebow's swan song as a college player, I'd say that was a pretty fitting passage that wraps up his career at the University of Florida. I wish Tim the best in whatever he chooses to do, whether it be in pro football (which he should get a good chance, IMO), or in other ventures.

Happy New Year!

I would've put this up earlier, but there was no internet where I was for New Years (down at the father-in-laws in Buckingham County). However, yours truly enjoyed some boneless wings and other finger foods, as well as some sweet tea...and by midnight I was enjoying some brass monkey (a favorite of mine, a mix of rum, vodka, and orange juice).

Now I'm back home, fatigued but ready for the new year! Hope 2010 is great for all of you!

BREAKING: Rush Limbaugh Taken to Hospital (Updated)

Happened earlier today in Hawaii after a golf outing. Apparently, Rush was complaining of chest pains. Thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this time.

Updates as they come in.


UPDATES

- Rush is apparently resting comfortably after being admitted to the hospital. Reports state that his chest pains may have been a side effect of medication he has been taking for back problems.

- Apparently, some on the left have been respectful, but others cannot hide their vitrol and hate for Rush.

Health Care Legislation Killing the Dem Majority, One-by-One

Sen. Ben "Sell Out" Nelson of Nebraska is feeling the heat from his constituents.

He currently has a 55 percent disapproval rating (with the health care legislation at 64% disapproval) in his own state. Also, in a potential 2012 matchup against current Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, he would lose 61-30. Ouch. Nelson is going to air a commerical during tonight's Holiday Bowl game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Kansas Jayhawks. Good luck convincing voters you didn't sell out in 30 seconds, Senator.

With Jim Webb and Mark Warner also seeing their approval ratings plummet within the past year, it seems that that this health care "reform" debacle is not reaping any kind of dividends for the Democrats.

Maybe it's time they actually listen to the public.