Remember way back before the election – on Monday – the big story was about then-candidate-and-now President-elect Obama’s disclosure that he intends to bankrupt the coal industry? Perhaps in all the euphoria following the histrionics surrounding historic selection of the first black man (not to mention possibly the first illegal alien) to inhabit the White House, we may have forgotten that tiny little issue. It seems that America’s collective memory has also minimized $4 gallon gas and completely overlooked the promised “skyrocketing” electricity costs. I’m thinking that, before we all go out shopping for our inaugural ball gowns, maybe we ought to revisit the whole energy independence issue.

Somewhere on the way to the election gas prices went from OhMyGodCanYouBelieveThis to Fill’erUpNoProblem, and the urgency with which we were advocating Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less seems to have reverted back to Check Back Later and We’ll Let You Know. Short-sighted to say the least. If we don’t start now, we’ll always be 10 years away from the goal.

This is when the services of a carnival barker PR master are most effective. Someone who can extol the virtues and generate the buzz to get the people excited about the project.

Therefore I humbly and sincerely want to suggest that P-eBO re-consider appointing Brian Schweitzer as America’s energy czar. Obviously the infamous Trial Lawyer speech didn’t tarnish BS’s image, and we have to admit there’s been nobody who has hawked clean coal more enthusiastically than he. Why shouldn’t he be front and center promoting one of the most feasible solutions to the problem of our dependence on foreign energy sources?

I can’t see a downside – can you?

While I – like everybody else out there – have plenty of opinions about yesterday’s election, the most impressive thing I have witnessed occurred this morning. President George Bush – the much reviled and maligned current resident of the White House – showed the kind of class that I have always admired in him. He has publicly invited the Obamas to the White House and has gone above and beyond in facilitating a smooth transition. Remember the welcome the Bush administration received? Teen-age-style vandalism (hidden computer keyboards etc.) that greeted the new group and disgusting and relentless ad hominem attacks that have continued throughout his two terms. Totally tacky.

I hope that the Obamas and his administration have enough class to appreciate the inherent kindness and generosity of spirit that President and Mrs. Bush have always exhibited. It’s very hard to find in Washington.

Blogging has officially become a family sport – first my son, then me. Now my husband has homsteaded in the blogosphere with his own personal, private blog, Old Cub Driver. I’ve linked it on this site, so if you’re interested in flying (think Piper Cub – and that is a picture of him piloting the plane he helped his father restore, BTW), economics, or maybe a little bit of politics (ok – he’s married to me – politics is a staple in this house and it sometimes gets a little heated!), you might check it out and see what he has to say.

In the most blatant assault on the First Amendment ever seen in modern times, Barack Obama, The One, Dear Leader, the messiah, has just revealed how he’ll handle the loyal opposition during his regime: toss ’em off the plane.

If that doesn’t scare the holy sh*t out of every American, God help us! Our First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press are under siege from this egolomaniac.

I’ll Keep My Guns, My Money and My Freedom.
You Can Keep the Change.

Six hundred and fifty million dollars. Almost three quarters of a BILLION dollars. $650,000,000. Seven – count them – seven – zeros. Almost twice as much as the biggest lottery jackpot in history. That is one humungus friggin’ pile of “change”. And that is how much money Barack Obama is spending to get himself elected President. The first thought that comes to my mind is: When you have to sell a guy with virtually no experience, a shadowy background, a closet full of unsavory associates, and an anti-American, elitist, socialistic attitude, it’s going to cost a bucketload of cash to get the job done.

My second thought was: Couldn’t that money be better spent? We’ve heard so much about how so many Americans are hurting and how many are facing foreclosure. And then I read this story about a woman who bought a foreclosed home and gave it back to the original owner and is going to work out a payment schedule for her. And then I thought – if Barack Obama was really the populist he pretends to be, why wouldn’t he take some of that money and use it to help some of those folks out? Just think – he spent $230 million on the stupid infomercial last night. He could have bought more than 1500 average priced homes with that money! (Maybe even one for his aunt who’s living in a Boston slum.) Or he could have paid the annual health care premiums for over 40,000 families. Or invested in some kind of alternative energy project. Or ???? There are so many possibilities. And think of the PR!!! The benevolent messiah, blah, blah, blah… Glory to the highest and all that. Oprah would be proud.

It’s all about priorities, I guess. Obama has no problem confiscating revenue from hardworking Americans like you and me to give to those who need homes or health insurance or whatever. But he sure doesn’t think he needs to share what he has. Instead of leading by example, Obama subscribes to the “Do what I say, not what I do” philosophy of wealth distribution. He ensconces himself in a million dollar plus mansion, indulges in $450 snacks, wears custom tailored suits, and looks down on the regular folks. In Obama’s world – he’s the number one priority. So that’s where the money goes. All $650 million.

It’s been a few months and he’s really tried to hide his true character from us, but I think I’m starting to discern the man behind the mask. Barack Obama is a narcissistic, selfish, egotistic, elitist, SNOB! But I mean that in the nicest way possible.

Anybody remember the Lily Tomlin play, “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe”? Particularly the part where the bag lady character is standing on the corner of “Walk / Don’t Walk” and discussing the difference between an Andy Warhol painting and a can of Campbell’s soup. “Soup. Art. Art. Soup.”

Lately, the Obama campaign has had that same kind of bizarro feeling to it. Only different. Let’s see. They can attack and smear anyone who dares question them; dig up any dirt they can on their opponent and the opponent’s family members, or any private citizen who asks a perfectly legitimate question about one of proposals touted by the candidate. Any media outlet that even hints at a less than total adulation of the The One is threatened and banished from the presence of the messiah.

Is this America or have we suddenly been transported into an alternate universe? Argentina circa 1946-ish?

Well, except for the names and a few of the places, the story’s the same one…

“Tell me before I waltz out of your life
Before turning my back on the past
Forgive my impertinent behavior
But how long do you think this pantomime can last?

Tell me before I ride off in the sunset
There’s one thing I never got clear
How can you claim you’re our Savior
When those who oppose you are stepped on,
Or cut up, or simply disappear?” (from “Evita” Andrew Lloyd Webber)

As I was trolling the blogs today, I came across two posts that – more than anything I’ve seen up until now – illustrate the basic difference between the Obama and McCain campaigns.

The first was a story about a neighborhood in Gainesville, Florida Virginia that was vandalized last night. Some 25 homes and businesses were the targets of Obama supporters that obviously have no sense of right and wrong and have taken “The One’s” exhortation to “get in their faces” to heart.

I cannot imagine being associated with a group that thinks this is in any way acceptable or appropriate. Shame on them – the criminals who perpetrated the crimes and the candidate who inspires such crimes. Is this the leadership we want for America? Is this the country we want for our children and grandchildren – where disrespect for others’ property is condoned – even encouraged? I. Don’t. Think. So.

The second was about McCain’s recent campaign stop in Iowa – a state that most polls indicate is Obama’s to win. And yet the McCain supporters were upbeat, enthusiastic, and showed pride in their country. What a difference!

Perhaps neither example conveys a true picture of this country as it is. But what do they say about which country each candidate wants America to be?

Obama – mean, ugly, hateful. McCain – optimistic, proud, patriotic.

I know which America I choose. Hands down.

As I mentioned a couple of times before, I found a delightful blog that is written by former Hillary supporters and is dedicated to bringing Republicans, Democrats, PUMAs, – and everybody else who cares about this country – together in a positive effort to elect John McCain and Sarah Palin. Talk about motivated! These guys make me feel like a slacker of the first order.

Today’s post features a totally unique approach to fundraising and voter identification. They define Eeyores as people “hoodwinked by the national media and its incessant Obama cheerleading.” They have created a fun way to raise money for their victory party (which will be held right across the street from the site of “The One’s” extravaganza) by categorizing and naming the types of Eeyores that we all encounter every day.

Go grab a nice glass of wine and spend a few minutes reading the post and the associated comments. Betcha feel a whole lot better about our chances of a McCain victory afterwards – and if you feel like contributing to the party by rescuing an Eeyore, go for it. I did.

“Oh, alright, I guess I can.” – Eeyore

Liberal candidate receives endorsement of another liberal social activist.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who finally made the announcement that has been expected for months, is well known for his willingness to support liberal causes. He is pro-choice regarding abortion, and in favor of “reasonable” gun control. He has stated that he supports affirmative action that levels the playing field. Powell was also instrumental in the implementation of the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.

What took him so long? Yawn.

On the other hand, here’s an endorsement that means something: A Harvard trial lawyer for McCain.

In a campaign that so far hasn’t had too may high points, Brian “the Bully” Schweitzer has managed to hit another low note that has gotten national media attention. Fox News picked up the story about the infamous email accusing Roy Brown of being a — gasp! — “vegetarian”.

OMG. First the governor starts off his campaign by being found guilty for breaking an election ethics law that he personally signed in 2005. Then came Schweitzergate – where BS admitted that he “turned dials” to effect the outcome of the 2006 election. Now he hits the big time again as one of the subjects of the Political Grapevine.

Gotta hand it to the Gov. He started out with an almost surefire win, and through an absolutely brilliant series of some of the most boneheaded political maneuverings imaginable, has managed to turn this into a very competitive race.

Who knew – Brian Schweitzer is the Republicans’ secret weapon? That’s no bull.

P.S. – Follow the link in the post below to help the governor win the 2008 People’s Choice Crappie Award. He certainly deserves it.