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quasi-pundit, barstool philosopher, backseat driver but never a Monday morning quarterback email: adrag1 at msn.com [until the QP server gets fixed] willv at comcast.net 
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Saturday, August 17, 2002
Exit Stage... Which Way Do We Go?...Tony AdragnaThe Feds have an Exit Plan... well, not really... The plan -- which "has been drilled down to less than 15 minutes" -- is for notification to agencies that federal employees should, or shouldn't, evacuate the city. But, " The operational details of evacuating tens or hundreds of thousands of motorists and transit riders are being developed independently."I described the September 11th "evacuation" thusly: Walking down Pennsylvania Ave toward the Archives Metro station I saw something that I've only seen in movies - people scrambling to "get the hell outta Dodge". Five lanes of a six lane two-way avenue were commandeered by traffic going in the same direction, and cars were creeping over into the last remaining lane. People are scared, and they should be. But, what I saw was only a half step down from the type of public hysteria where it's no holds barred, every man for himself.And, that was with the "willy-nilly...dismissals" -- I don't wanna think what it's gonna be like if everybody hits the road at the same time... Like "synchronized" traffic signals and police officers at critical intersections are gonna make a difference -- Not bloody likely... Indeed, the first time a patrol officer tries to enforce traffic rules by pulling somebody over for a ticket, the mess is just gonna get worse... Next time, I'm walking outa the city!... On the Maryland political front, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller was reprimanded by the Md. Ethics Panel for abusing his position... that was the General Assembly's ethics committee -- he should also be facing some type of action by the bar association's ethics panel,,, Didn't you guys just lose the leader of one of the chambers Virginia's legislature, Will... And I though I wanted to be a politician... Silly me... If you haven't figured out why I decided to stay away from C-SPAN today, all you had to do was watch C-SPAN today... I don't mean to make light of the issues -- our history isn't pleasant in re slavery and problems that have persisted since abolishment -- there are still reasons to engage in serious discussions notwithstanding that many people consider the case in general closed... This call for "reparations", however, is in large part farcical! The only problem I had with Dawson's response, Will, is that both Coulter and Cohen were writing fiction -- so what if she's on the "non-fiction" bestseller list and he writes for a major newspaper -- but Dawson had to go and dredge up something factual... Looking for something good to watch on TV, I turned to a standby -- AMC. I like AMC... Can't watch today: 'Tis all Elvis Movies... I'm going back to Zoog Disney... QP SaturdayWill VehrsTony, for the record, I've never been a big Presley fan, but a person my age cannot escape the first hand influences that his life and death had on American culture. At your age, as you note, Presley's influence is just part of the background.I hate pledge week. Fritz Schranck's comment about Mark Shields is defensible and pretty mild by blog standards. I probably wouldn't have said it, but Shields is one of Punditwatch's "bread and butter" pundits. Contrast Fritz's whimsical piece with Dawson's response to the Richard Cohen column about Ann Coulter. Dawson dredges up a 1998 charge of sexual harassment against Cohen. That's "hardball." On the Best of Bush Bashing front, all a Bush-Basher needs this morning is Frank Rich's NYT column. It's a masterpiece, as Rich puts up a straw man defense of Bush--a great bashing technique. A few samples: What makes the morning-after outrage of the nation's commentariat seem a bit over the top is that the preordained hollowness of the Waco show is not news. This is how this administration always governs. Mr. Bush has two inviolate, one-size-fits-all policies (if obsessions can be called policies): the tax cut (for domestic affairs) and "regime change" in Iraq (foreign affairs). Everything else is a great show designed to provide the illusion of administration activity when it has no plan. Though the president's harshest critics think he's stupid, I've always maintained that the real problem is that he thinks we are stupid. I'm going to have to tape Capital Gang tonight, or watch the late repeat, Tony. I'm taking my daughter to Pocahantas State Park, home to a fascinating Civilian Conservation Corps museum, for an evening canoe trip. We should see lots of bat, beaver, and blue heron. Friday, August 16, 2002
'Tis still "pledge week"...Tony Adragna...and Maryland Public Television is asking me for money to help keep bringing Bill Moyers to viewers in my area... Now Suze Ormond is telling us how to make money..Thank God for the Disney Channel -- Tarzan is on... Later, my new favourite show -- Kim Possible -- is gonna come on... 'Course, the only reason I like her is because of her sidekick Ron Stoppable... And the only reason I like Ron is because of Rufus the Naked Mole Rate -- he's not a pet, he's family... ... I think I'll just stay away from C-SPAN all weekend and watch Zoog Disney instead... Taking ExceptionTony AdragnaWill, I hope Fritz was joking when he he said of Mark Shields:[...]the long-time left-leaning pundit on PBS and CNN, was finally being sent to the one place that dovetailed with his political views—Out There.You tink Mark is "Out There"? Now, if heda said so of James Carville, I agree -- I love the Rajun Cajun, mostly because he's so whacked... Where Were You...Tony Adragna...when Elvis died?I was on the toilet... so was Elvis! I don't understand this whole Elvis thingy... he was a'ight, but I never did get into his music or movies... Maybe I just came along too late -- my generation always kinda considered Elvis passe... Grateful that he opened the door, but we were more into the folks who blew down the walls... Elvis on the QPWill VehrsTony, everybody else is doing something on Elvis Presley, so why not me? CNN.com has a retrospective on one of the greatest moments in American camp history, and one of my personal favorites: when Elvis met Nixon.Nixon's Chief of Staff, H. R. Haldeman, has taken a lot of abuse over the years, but his judgment was pretty sound on that dramatic December, 1970 day: Presley's visit with Nixon prompted a flurry of memos at the White House. When Presley arrived at the White House gate, Nixon aide Dwight Chapin sent a missive to H.R. Haldeman, Nixon's chief of staff: "He would just like to say hello and present the president with a gift." Chapin told Haldeman he though it would be good for Nixon to meet Presley because the entertainer was "very pro" Nixon. "In addition, if the president wants to meet with some bright young people outside of the government, Presley might be a perfect one to start with," he wrote. That prompted a retort, apparently from Haldeman. The words, "You must be kidding" are scribbled on the margin of the memo. More: I've never been to Graceland, but I have been to the day room of the 1-36 Infantry in Freiberg, Germany. That's the barracks where Elvis served as an Army Jeep driver in the late 50's. There was a small display of memorbilia in a glass case as I remember. Is it still there? I'm not sure ... I think the 1-36 was deactivated and I don't know what's happened to the building. My favorite Elvis songs? 1. You Were Always on My Mind 2. Suspicious Minds 3. Can't Help Falling in Love With You 4. Devil in Disguise 5 (tie). Little Sister and Kentucky Rain El Niño y La NiñaTony AdragnaYou know, Will -- El Niño is The Son, and La Niña is The Daughter... the two of them -- one on the national scene and the other in a statewide race -- are giving us a heated political season...I see the same potential that you do in -- god forfend -- RR's death in October... I responded as I did earlier not because I see a fellow partisan making such a gaffe, but because that was the thrust of Sulik's post... I don't know that Sulik believes a Democrat would do something so stupid as to commit political suicide in that particular manner -- though, there have been even stupider ways tried successfully... If Opposing KKT is Wrong, You Don't Want to Be RightWill VehrsTony, when I was deriding you for opposing KKT, I had no idea that she was just a façade, a media/Democratic creation to keep Camelot alive. Advantage, Tony! I still think she will probably win, but right now it appears that only massive intervention--a Democratic "fixer" called in to run her campaign, big time oppo research, negative ads--will save her. The Kennedy legend must be preserved.We used to blame El Nino for the weather... now we can blame Bush! I don't think the death of Ronald Reagan would cause Dems to react negatively and thus turn off the public... I think the fear is that Republicans would turn out in droves in November to "Win one for the Gipper." Unfortunately for this theory, not many Republicans on the ballot will remind anybody of Reagan. Got That Funny Feeling In My Tummy!Tony AdragnaDon't feel bad 'bout getting spanked, Will -- I'm about to say something that's gonna have me behind the woodshed with fellow Democrats: The GOP has about as good a shot as ever at Maryland's governorship...I've had that feeling ever since KKT announced her candidacy, but I've not wanted to put voice to it because I don't want to believe the truth of it. The Free State hasn't always gone Dem -- remember Spiro Agnew [in fact, peruse a list of Md governors and you'll find a good smattering of Republicans] -- and Sauerbrey only lost by a statistical tie in '94. [n especially b In '94 Glendening only won P.G., Montgomery and Baltimore City, but lost everywhere else. The margin was wider between the same candidates in '98 -- 200 thousand votes, with Glendening picking up two counties -- but I think that had more to do with dislike over how Sauerbrey handled her challenge to the '94 results -- earned her the nickname "Sourberry"] I also deserve a bit of a spanking for my endorsement of "The über-mayor": I like O'Malley plenty, and consider him eminantly more preferable and qualified than KKT -- too bad he didn't poll so well... What's even "scarier" than my gut feeling being vindicated at the polls this November is that I agree completely with The Washington Times editorial board... We do badly need rain, Will. I'm with you on the dearth of response to our current precipitation shortfall... I've been very surprised that WSSC hasn't implemented any restrictions... I'm reminded just how bad the shortfall is everytime I walk along the Anacostia's Northeast Branch Trail -- the trail is just down the end of our street. I live a short walk from the Historic Port of Bladensburg -- right now you'd be hard pressed to float a canoe on that stretch of water, forget barge traffic... It's Mr. Bush's fault -- he shoulda implemented the Kyoto Protocals... [yea, I know, the Europeans are blaming him for flooding, and I'm blaming him for the drought -- but they're serious] I stand firm on my opposition to legislating on an accounting standard -- I think the response is wrongheaded, in spite of the fact that it makes perfect political sense... Indeed, that it's certainly a purely political response to public pressure makes me wonder whether they've properly defined the problem and crafted a good solution... Something has got to be done about the standard, I'm just not sure Congress is the best place to look for a solution... Regarding Sulik's "October Surprise": If you happen to believe, as I do, that Mr. Reagan wasn't all that, to make such an observation immediately following his death would be The Ultimate Gaffe... literally "ultimate" in the "last" sense... Washington Times Gives Me A SpankingWill VehrsTony, this editorial blasts the Baltimore Sun for touting Maryland Lt. Governor and gubernatorial candidate Kathleen Kennedy Townsend as Democratic VP timber, even as her campaign implodes. As one who did a little touting myself, I am suitably chastened.Two Minute DrillWill VehrsScorched Earth Yesterday was the first day of mandatory water restrictions in Chesterfield County, VA, where I live. They're not very tough--you can only water your lawn three days a week! With hundreds of Vriginia residents facing wells that are dry, that just doesn't seem right.This is the National Pastime on Steroids Daniel Henniger of the WSJ is fed up with the use of steroids in major league baseball: Maybe it's time to let the Robot Games begin. Let baseball's owners cut a deal with the Major League Robots Association. Face facts: Many professional athletes are no longer normal human beings; using drugs now, and with the weird science and training of the future, they are turning themselves into athletic robots. Stop lying awake worrying about what's legal or "clean" and give these robots a league of their own. I agree. I think there's a reason that Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds suddenly started hitting home runs at such a prodigious pace, and it's not the thin talent pool of pitchers. I hope these chemically-enhanced prima donnas go on strike. The Ultimate Sleeper Issue William Sulik got a fascinating confession from a Democratic friend. The "October Surprise" feared most by some Democrats is not a military action by the Bush Administration. It's the possible death of Ronald Reagan. This kind of thinking is at once morbid, distasteful, insightful, and compelling. Caption Competition Another Caption Contest, another missed opportunity by Refuge entrants to find an 80's pop cultural reference to impress Dodd Harris. Still, it was good to see "Rags" enter more than once and JulieC is finally back. One alarming trend in the contest appears to be a challenge to my hegemony as "Mr. Prolific." Charles Austin (the blogger?) submitted 12 entries, dwarfing my paltry 7. Does he know who he's messing with? Best of "Washington Wire" I often miss this Friday WSJ feature by John Harwood (subscription required), now that it's off it's long time position on the front page. Not today! Dems are split on legislating the expensing of stock options, but a lobbyist says opponents might not "'fall on their sword' to save options ... John Breaux (D, LA) will propose a universal-coverage healthcare mandate after the 2002 elections ... only 46 people showed up with toupees at the Mahoning Valley Scrappers' "James Trafficant Night." Best of Bush Bashing Some interesting entries today: Nicholas Kristof of the NYT criticizes Bush for cutting funding for the United Nations Population fund. This aligns us with countries like Iran, leading him to say, "Somehow we have become the core of an Axis of Medieval." DUPLICITY, THY NAME IS BUSH --Tapped headline Daily Brew, while slamming Clarence Thomas, gets in a good dig at Bush: But as long as he continues to act like the "got mine, up yours" buffoon who put Usurper boy in the White House, I can't really say I'm crying for him if the black community doesn't want to treat him like their best buddy. War Liberal has a Caption Contest for Bush Bashers .... Yes, Tony, I know that "finding Bush Bashing in 'The Fray' is like finding water in the ocean ..." Of course, so is finding Coulter Bashing! Thursday, August 15, 2002
Wilder Times in RichmondTony Adragna"Purchasing and technology" solutions? Yup, that's right outa the business world, Will -- if the purpose is to run government "more like a business than a political environment", that means doing things like leasing equipment and taking a write-off, but since the state doesn't file taxes...I kinda figured out what was going on there when I read Wilder's Op-Ed column on Tuesday: Admittedly, [Gov. Mark Warner] probably didn't expect that after my review, I would recommend, among other things:There's at least one proposal in that list which seem[s] to me a no-brainer -- getting rid of the "State Stores" -- the enforcement function is properly the state's, but there's no reason for the state to be in the business of wholsale and retail sales of alcohol... I like the way Wilder ended the piece: It would be a missed opportunity of historic proportions for this commission to come up with a few pedestrian proposals and retire this latest report to the same shelf where sit the last 75 years of such efforts. I believe my fellow Virginians agree with me, and as we have stood together in the past to defy the conventional wisdom, I believe we can stand together once again for the good of our commonwealth.Is his faith in Virginians justified, Will -- will it do any good? Reading Ben's cogent analysis, I noticed a couple of interesting parallels that can be drawn between Gilmore and Mr. Bush: The rigid anti-tax stance; own-party legislators not toeing the line -- one of them even be slighted for the transgression; member[s] of the opposition party being courted for positions in the administration... Is there a point? Yea, but you're probably tired of me harping on it... Glenn thinks that Josh might could make a strong federal case out of the dispute, and I'm pretty sure he's right. Generally, you can't register a generic term as a trademark. However, if the generic term has become so closely associated with the work of a particular entity that its use by another would tend to create confusion, then the courts may allow some protection -- the most notable instances involve the use of "Olympic" at activities not sanctioned by any of the Olympic Committees (during the last Olympics there were over 1000 websites against which suits were filed)... But, the Big Guy doesn't always win: Hasbro -- maker of that boardgame "Clue" -- tried forcing Clue Computing to stop using the domain name clue.com. The court found that despite the confusion, Hasbro could not prevail because there was neither any competition, nor any right to a domain name flowing from a registered trademark... So where does that leave Josh? Looks to me like there is competition, Josh already has the domain name and IP, and WaPo should desist... but, I could be wrong... The Australian courts found against Sony on whether "Walkman" is a generic term... Hey -- finding Bush Bashing in "the fray" is like finding water in the ocean... Addendum - Cohen Castrates Coulter! I meant to pass along "Blaming of the Shrew"... Coulter's a fairly ballsy woman, but Cohen fixed her good... Two Minute DrillWill VehrsCleaning Up After Me Thanks, Tony, for checking out that WP link on "Talking Points." I jumped the gun in thinking that the mighty WP had been cowed by the grass roots (or would Josh call it "Astroturf?") campaign calling on Neal to cease and desist. It's a little ironic that Josh, one of the less generous bloggers in terms of linking to others or commenting on their work, got so much support, and that he was surprised that some of it was coming from conservative circles.We're Not Firebreathers Don't despair of not being linked more often by the "leftern" (good word!), Tony. You're still the first blogger to be interviewed by "The Lefty Directory." That's pretty impressive. I'm rarely linked by the conservative bloggerati. We ought to take comfort that our brand of discourse isn't an echo chamber for the more partisan voices in this medium. Young Turks Of course, I was pleased that two of the more intellectual conservative bloggers, Ben Domenech and Patrick Ruffini, defied the ban on linking to me and took up my thoughts in their discussion of Senator George Allen, a potential up and coming force in national GOP politics. I can't say enough good things about those two, especially Ben, a student at my alma mater, The College of William and Mary in Virginia. Check out an extract of a paper he produced on the effects of Virginia's term-limited governor provision. He posted it last night at my request. Thanks, Ben. Dubious on Delaware Glenn Reynolds shrugs off the controversy over Jonathan Chait's TNR cover story on Delaware, a story I mentioned early. I'm a little surprised. Substantive issues aside, this is an example of a major media story with a serious factual error pointed out by a blogger whose name I'm going to spell right this time: Fritz Schranck. A major media critic, Mickey Kaus, picked up on Fritz's work and now TNR has a prominent correction posted. Usually, Glenn, a Blog Hall of Famer inducted unanimously on the first ballot, loves that kind of "power of the Blogosphere" story. Embarassing Spectacle While Governor Mark Warner vacations in the Adirondacks, here in Richmond his commission on shrinking state government in the face of budget shortfalls, led by ex-Governor and full-time gadfly Douglas Wilder, is embarassing him. Six months into commission work, they don't know if they're supposed to provide specific recommendations or general ones. They have to call Governor Warner to find out! Here are the battle lines: Wilder wants to press specific proposals to help remedy Virginia's immediate fiscal crisis, including eliminating Cabinet secretariats and departments and merging others, possibly saving up to $500 million over two years. But Warner prefers closely examined recommendations for long-term savings, perhaps achieved through purchasing and technology, that could be woven into Warner's budget amendments in December, according to press secretary Ellen Qualls. I'm with Wilder on this one. Purchasing and technology savings? Please. I thought this Governor was serious about restoring fiscal discipline, but I've seen scant evidence of it. Football Follies I interrupt this serious discussion of issues to wonder why Kevin Holtsberry is ignoring my challenge for a blog wager on the upcoming clash of titans, the Washington Redskins v. Pittsburgh Steeler pre-season game. Best of Bush Bashing I probably should have done more market research into this concept on my lunar vacation because it certainly did not get rave opening night reviews. I'll trudge on for a while longer, anyway, Today it appears that Bush Bashers exhausted themselves blasting the Waco gabfest because there wasn't a lot of low hanging fruit for me to pick. I'll just offer the titles of two Fray posts for today's entry: Bush Crime Family Defrauding America Bush the Idiot or Bush the Fiend.... BTW, Tony, I have a new computer at work (there's that state fiscal discipline!) so I am no longer a "Star" poster from this node. Wednesday, August 14, 2002
Josh DisAdvantagedTony AdragnaNo such luck, Will -- Terry Neal is still at it... What you linked to earlier was from the "print edition" -- "Talking Points" was, and still is, the name of the "Online Extras" feature...Correction: Will, the earlier link you posted was to a "washingtonpost.com" item published at 1:35 PM, not a "print edition" column... the link I posted is the same column published ealier -- 12:45 PM -- as an "Online Extra" feature... a little confusing because they don't normally publish the same article twice except when moving an online story to the next day's print edition... as of 12:45 today Neal was still using "Talking Points", that's all I can say... My Dogs are Barking...Tony AdragnaGot another link, Will. Seth Farber sent me email today suggesting reciprocal linkage to the talking dog -- I said yes, and not just outa reciprocity.[I've alotta work to do catching up with all those who have linked to us without sending mail looking for something in return]...The reason I decided to add Seth to the blogroll -- besides that I've sometimes read his site and like it -- is that he's seems a character... 'Bout the bit I said on linkage below... I think part of why I don't get so many in-post linkage (as opposed to link-throughs from lists) from other left-leaning bloggers is that my brand of liberalism isn't so radical as I once was -- the old fire in which I used to anneal my vitriol has succumbed to the quenching water of cool reason. There are many left-leaning bloggers with whom I agree on the underlying principles, but whose verbiage would send some of our readers through the timber-framed 30' vaulted cielings [ the Refugees are an excitable bunch .. gotta love 'em anyway] Or, maybe they just think I'm a hack... I'll get around to including some of those folks in our blogroll... I'm sure that you'll get around to including some of those same blogs in your "Bush Bashing" feature... p.s It's still pledge week at your local PBS station -- I did get to see most of the Celtic Tenors last night... Not as good as the Irish Tenors (though both sets are made up strictly of Irishmen) -- nowhere near as entertaining and some of their efforts at being entertaining were downright cheesy... I am kinda picky 'bout folklore & folksong and traditional storytelling. For my money there's none better than the Bard of Armagh, Tommy Makem -- in olden days he's be the old seanachaoi leaning on his shillelagh, ready with a story, song or poem... I Am Not Worthy...Tony AdragnaI could get vitriolic, Will -- then maybe I'll start getting more linkage from the leftern hemisphere of blogdom. People on the right are impressed with your bloggage, though -- both Ben and that Ruffini fellow used your comments on Allen as a springboard.Hey... yous peoples in da left -- what am I, chopped liver? Had a hard time finding that post in "the fray" -- I clicked on picks and "WillV" was nowhere to be found... Your question has a point, and it's a point well taken. Can I answer with a pointed question? I'm going to anyway: Q. When was the last time a president paid more attention to political advisors than economic advisors? Follow up Q. What happened to that president and what relationship does he have with the current president? [OK, the last was two questions... can't blame a guy for trying...] I really couldn't care less -- other than to make the observations I've already done -- what happened at the forum. I'm more interested in what's happening inside 1600 Penn and the building immediately to its east… Does Sec. O’Neill have the privilege of the tunnel?… I did read the item on KKT this morning… What’s up with Maryland’s administration and its ties to University of Maryland… Remember how Gov. Glendening not too long ago took himself out of running to be chancellor – notwithstanding that he taught at College Park, it had to take some big cajones to think going into that deal that nobody would object to the spectre of cronyism… The item you reference does point up the “She isn’t really a Kennedy” logic -- either she didn’t get any of Joe Kennedy’s genes, or the ability to pull of a bit of high school level Boston Democrat “machinery operation” isn’t an inherited trait, or “she isn’t really…” If it weren’t that her provenance is well established, then I’d opt for the latter… Josh did hint at something earlier... maybe yes... maybe no... BTW… I’m finally getting around to canceling my MSN dial up account today (Bill don’t need my pittance, what with all his billions), but I found out that I can keep my “msn.com” email addy – with reduced storage capacity (natch) – so getting the hotmail account was inane… Oh well... We live and discover… Victory for Marshall?Will VehrsTerry Neal of the WP has his column up--a report on the NC Senate race--and it's not called Talking Points. Advantage, Marshall?Two Minute DrillWill VehrsIt's Merit-Based Sure, Tony, you can be a Bush Basher, but I'm not going to cut you any slack just because you gave me my start in blogging. You're going to have to demonstrate real vitriol if you want to compete with the likes of Josh and Maureen. And just wait until Krugman writes his next "screed." Sorry, Diane E., I couldn't resist. (Scroll to the bottom of her site to understand this "inside baseball" comment.)Desperately Seeking Conflict Will Saletan takes down Bush's economic forum in this Slate piece, calling it "fake." In Slate's Fray, I asked if there were examples of a politician, anxious to have his or her ideas skewered by opponents, sponsoring an economic forum that would do just that. Your little Alcoa anecdote (and Maureen Dowd's column) indicate that Clinton wasn't about hearing somebody else's ideas. Point well taken, though, on the Rubin v. O'Neill comparison. O'Neill is lousy at politics. He shouldn't have taken the job if he wasn't supportive of the agenda and Bush/Cheney shouldn't have offered it to him. Will This Scandal Have Legs? Looks like some serious hanky-panky involving your least favorite Kennedy, Maryland Lt. Gove Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. She seems to be involved in an alleged scheme to use anti-crime grant money to fund the salaries of employees who might have done political work for her. You have to love the "man bites dog" title of the story: U-MD Says Grants Exceeded Requests . The Bashers Have a Good Target...
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