Bedtime in Alaska – Open Thread. Brian Returns.
OK, not to belabor the moose topic, but there’s a story I feel compelled to share. Remember Brian, the moose I mentioned in the open thread from a few nights back? Well, believe it or not, he stole our swing set. Allow me to explain.
Brian has been hanging around the neighborhood a lot lately. So, Friday morning, before dawn, we heard a loud clanging metallic noise coming from the yard. Speculating about what it could have been I said, “It almost sounded like the swing-set.” So, we got up and peered out the bedroom window into the pre-dawn light, to find the swing-set…..gone. There was the slide, tipped over on its side, but no swing-set to be found. Brian, apparently, had gotten it tangled in his antlers, and hauled it away to parts unknown. We did find it eventually, several hundred feet away, in the bushes.
Mudflatter TeachKids and her son have set up a live webcam, pointed out their front window, to catch the thief who has been stealing their Obama yard signs. The irony struck me. The Obama sign is still there, and it seems like I was the one who could have had an interesting thief caught on video. It would have been great on YouTube…
Interesting view of the VP debate in ADN:
“When he faces off against Sarah Palin on Thursday night, Joe Biden will have his hands full. After debating Palin at more than two dozen forums and debates during the 2006 gubernatorial campaign, I’ll offer some advice to both candidates… ”
http://www.adn.com/opinion/sarah-palin/story/539459.html
What a nice Brian bedtime story, AKM. After another interesting week of McCain campaign shinanigans, Obama “nailing it,” and emotional ups and downs, this is a very nicely worded last thought and beautiful photo (was Brian giving you a “come on” look in his eye?) to have as I travel (yawn) to bed.
Thank you, AKM, and good night. Sweet dreams to all Mudpuppies.
“nox!”
Speaking of the Obama Signwatchers, the story made the WSJ today. Go CHAOS! (I’ll leave someone else to post the link, I think.)
A very nice, non-snarky article about it. It did leave out one aspect that is important to me as a non-American: in a way, the signwatch fulfils the same duty as Mudflats, acting as a gathering place for like-minded individuals, including us foreigners who feel helpless about the US elections.
It is a great place to chat, exchange views, vent, and have a clearer grasp of how issues are perceived by Americans and non-Americans alike.
I checked it out of curiosity, because I thought the idea was hilarious and very cool. People with a similar sense of humor drifted there as well. I stayed because of the chatroom – admit it, there’s not much going on with the signwatch, really – and the host of interesting people around the world who are often very funny, occasionally quite serious about issues that affect them, and always politically engaged.
ps: AKM, please add more Brian stories and updates when possible, especially at Open thread…sure is a nice, gentle ending to some of our days.
Okay, g’night fur sure this time.
Funny and well written, as always.
Thanks AKM, and cheers from Amsterdam, The Netherlands…
We don’t have moose, but we have lots of ducks.
I love the glimpses of Alaskan nature that you give us in between the political observations.
“When he faces off against Sarah Palin on Thursday night, Joe Biden will have his hands full. After debating Palin at more than two dozen forums and debates during the 2006 gubernatorial campaign, I’ll offer some advice to both candidates… ”
We have a saying in the UK
“Bullsh*t baffles brains”
Some truths are universal it seems
Oh, and AKM? fewer picture of your locale might be wise
I saw the anti-palin rally made McClatchy http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/53183.html
Also I saw a blurb on the news about cell phone users (no land line) were over 60% dems. I think that there is a “sleeping giant” here in Obama’s favor.
What a great story! We really need things like this in the midst of the intensity of Campaign 2008…. and the fight to Free Alaska.
It’s hard to tell if Brian won the battle with the swing set or not….
Just wondering – how big IS a moose anyway? the size of a cow?
I would love to see a moose in real life, as long as it’s not chasing me.
****************************
5-7 feet tall and up to 1800 pounds.
1.5-2.1 meters tall and up to 816 kilos.
AKMuckraker
Mornin’ folks …. Found a very interesting article about Alaska yesterday in the Guardian … Lots about the politics and funding of the problem.
“For more than 2,000 years the Yup’ik Eskimos have carved out a subsistence living on the frozen wastes of southwest Alaska. But now the ice is melting the village is having to move to a new site, and the world’s first climate-change refugees face an uncertain future”
..http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/28/alaska.climatechange
Nice to see such a great picture of Brian. I am reposting this from the previous thread; I did not see the new one go up!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE look at the speech. I think it his one of his best ever.
And I am surprised no one is talking about the rally in Virginia–this is all over the place!
I was born and bred in VA, and just recently moved from there. I have lived all over it, and it is eternally my home. For those of you who have any doubts, VA will go BLUE this year. We have great schools, and we are smart and savvy people. We’re politically aware because of northern VA and can smell political BS coming a mile away. We’re incredibly diverse and progressive.
And a little history about our fair state: Jamestown was the first English settlement in our country. Five years later, the marriage of John Rolfe and Pocahontas caused peace between settlers and colonists. The College of William & Mary, one of the oldest colleges in the country, started as a school for Native American boys, and educated John Monroe, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Henry Clay, George Wythe, and over 1/4 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
We understand that saving this nation is important because we are a part of it’s very foundation.
If you don’t believe me, you may want to tell that to the 26,000 people who stood in a line over two miles long, with a one hours delay, in the pouring rain. When it starts raining during the speech, O takes off his coat and continues his speech in the rain, with Joe in the rain by his side. I am so proud to be a Virginian today.
http://fredericksburg.com/News/Web/2008/092008/ObamaPics/index_html?qstart=1
Please take the time to enjoy the pics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ctgw9VyV_0
It’s also worth watching the speech itself .
That Brian, he is such a kidder
As W. Pa (where I used to live- Hi, Aliquippa!) awakens, I am getting ready for bed.
I feel very sure, somehow, that Ms. Palin will blow the debate out her left nostril. She was folksy and populist as heck with Couric but that did not obscure her completely random thought processes.
Her “Glittering Generalities” have a tendancy to pile up like scum around her ankles once she trudges out of her little pond. It’s going to be an awfully big audience to ‘connect’ with.
I think it will be a total cringe fest. If we even get that far.
Wonder what the odds-makers are throwing down on the chances of her bailing the ticket this week?
Not that I want her to, really. She’s such a two ton drag on McCain. She’s doing all kinds of work for Obama just by being there, and it will only get better from here. We are rapidly approaching the point where she will no longer have time to quit the ticket while leaving her successor enough of a chance to settle in.
On that happy, happy note I toddle off.
Yup, this week will be verrrrry interesting.
*****
edit: I could not resist a quick check before I toddled: The bookies and I are thinking alike! Palin’s odds on leaving this week are getting shorter:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20080902/pl_bloomberg/azjwbcginwsg;_ylt=ApkoGzBLrkrSGl_VCaK5o.YDW7oF
Hick Town:
Here in Vermont we had a moose who fell in love with a cow named Jessica (about 25 years ago, as I recall). That moose had a name too – Josh. But mostly it was Jessica whose name everyone knew. I’ve got pictures somewhere, because my uncle lived nearby, and we went out one day to see them. A few other people were there when we went. But someone wrote a book, and amazon has it – with a picture! So if you go to the address below you’ll see a picture of a moose with a cow, and you can compare. Jessica was not a large cow though – not sure what breed she is, but not a holstein. Moose are tall, on tall legs.
(The book that Amazon mentions in the “customers who bought this” line – “Owen and Mzee” is also a wonderful book, a true story about a turtle and a baby rhinoceros who became friends after the tsunami)
http://www.amazon.com/Moose-Jessica-Pat-Wakefield/dp/0525443428
I could make some clever joke about the moose going for the “swing-vote” . . . but I haven’t had my first cup of coffee yet.
Oh dear! My brilliant comment was marked as spam!
(edited to add: don’t bother rescuing my post! Not worth it, as I just figured out the link was wrong anyhow)
I tried to link to a site about how the odds that Palin will leave the ticket this week are considerably shorter than they used to be, according to London bookies.
I invite interested Mudpuppies to google “oddsmakers Palin quits” or some such, and you will find verrrrry interesting stuff.
After all, bookies have a better track record of predicting elections than the polls.
Next voodoo: Sales of halloween masks. The winner’s mask virtually always outsells that of the loser.
And now I must off to bed.
Belgian Observer – oops it was you who asked about moose, not Hick Town. Sorry Hick Town.
So Belgian Observer – if you didn’t read my comment above, it was directed at you. – Also, chasing you is a real possibility! These guys don’t have a reputation for being mild mannered. There was a fence between us and Jessica’s moose, and he was just so obsessed with Jessica he hardly noticed people just a few feet from him.
It’s going to be interesting to see what McCain – and Obama, for that matter, do about going back to vote for this bailout bill. McCain wants to take credit for making it happen, but I think he’s going to want to be able to blame Obama for its provisions, and get the votes of those who are angry any bill gets passed.
Like you needed any more motivation.
“Supreme Court Vacancies Likely in Next Four Years
One issue that has been totally absent from the campaign is the Supreme Court. Five of the justices are 70 or more. Justice Stevens is 88 and unlikely to want to serve 4 more years. Justice Ginsberg had cancer and was operated on for it. Justice Souter is known to want to retire and return to New Hampshire. These are three of the most liberal justices on the court.
If all three retire and are replaced by Obama, the court will retain its even split between liberals and conservatives for many years to come. If all three are replaced by McCain, the conservatives will have a clear majority and surely reverse Roe v. Wade and many other decisions that conservatives think are wrong. It is amazing that the court has gotten so little attention.”
You guys probably know this but I thought I’d post it anyway just in case it was under the radar for some of you.
Don’t want to be kicking myself later for keeping quiet
Keep up the Moose pix…the best thing that happened on Daily Kos in the last weeks of the Kerry campaign were pet pix postings and Orchid blogging which still happens on Fridays! Gave everyone some relief.
AKM, this is great stuff. Imagine poor Brian.
Yes, you should have put a web cam for him and it would have really been great watching it. Not too late now? How about a backyard Alaska webcam?
Thanks again for directing us towards the Teachkids webcam. I have become a regular in the night shift while the USA sleeps.
We, the CHAOS (Citizens Hanging Around Obama Sign) made it to the Wall Street Journal
*sytgrlNo
Great pictures at UMW… I lived in NVA for many years. I’m pleased to see the old Republicans who don’t believe in roads slowly fade away. Thanks for posting.
Thanks for the moose update-great refreshment!
Hope Brian survived his encounter with the swing set without getting hurt. Will you be able to salvage the swings?
Wonder, did he not see them, was he mad at them, or was he experimenting with them as an antler develveting device? There is a science project in there for someone. Swingsets are not loaded with “asperin” like willow branches are, no pain-killing solice or natural antibiotics and antifungals to be had in a swing set.
Good thing for all concerned if he’s now had his fill of swingsets.
Saw the video of a mother moose supervising her two calves cavorting in lawn sprinkler spray that someone here posted from UTUBE.
Really a delight to watch.
Brian might have a film future.
How is your back yard set for grizzly bears? I can’t imagine what would happen if a grizzly ever took exception to a swing set.
*lemonfair
We have a moose preserve near here and it has to be really posted in hunting season because there is always some idiot who doesn’t recognize them and thinks they are deer. Duh! We have such an abundance of deer that people come from all over for the season.
Chaos indeed. Thanks AKM for Brian’s story. Yes you missed a great opportunity. But you can still set up a Alaska Backyard Cam for our entertainment. We like lurking in Alaska these days too, just like all the media types and lawyers and campaigners.
Thanks also for making it possible for TeachKids to share her webcam with us. It would not have happened without you.
@ Hick Town in W PANo Gravatar (03:15:51)
Born in DC, raised in Alexandria, school at W & M. Please, treat yourself to his entire 26 minute speech. I think it is his best one. And pass it around and encourage others here and off the net to see it. No American should miss this moment!
OBAMA SIGN ALERT
For you occasional sign-watchers – you know, the one being “guarded” by Mudflatters and others via video – http://www.ustream.tv/channel/obama-sign-cctv-1 – ,
well the whole thing has made the Wall Street Journal:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122264086842483853.html
stygrl,
I am LISTENING to the youtube……………didn’t get a picture, the other link didn’t work at all???????????
@sytgrl (02:19:31) :
Thanks for those lovely pics. has anyone else noticed how happy everyone seems to be at Mr Obama’s appearances. I sit here in Oz and cannot take the smile off my face whenever I see him, or I well up. He seems to absolutely inspire.
America….you need him…don’t let him get away !
BTW I have also been looking at the photos of David Katz…if you google “David Katz” Obama, you will see some other remarkable pictures.
LOL … What a classic piece of Alaska!
(And yes, for those who asked, moose are pretty darned massive. They’re also a road hazard up there, as AK mudpups will tell you. Hit one at any decent speed and your vehicle is toast.)
GO BRIAN!
*Rifle Panzer Palin (03:42:21) :
The sites are probably just super busy. I was out to both earlier.
Thought that this would interest you all
Has McCain found his excuse to sack Palin ?
http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/uselection,,will-mccain-use-economic-crisis-as-an-excuse-to-sack-sarah-palin,47206
sytgrl:
I totally agree – Virginia WILL go blue this year!
I too was raised in Alexandria, VA and live there now. The Obama energy in Northern Virginia is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I knew a bunch of folks heading to Fredericksburg for the rally and it looks like the rain did not impede things at all!
After that event, Obama then came back to DC and spoke at the Congressional Black Caucus dinner, where he received an award. My sister and her husband were lucky enough to attend!
By the way – re: the article on the Obama sign video in Oregon – it’s on the front page of the print edition of the Wall Street Journal!
That’s hilarious!! It would’ve been a great video.
I have to say – I can’t believe that could possibly be a view near your home – it’s too beautiful. *does not compute* I have only been to Alaska once, and I can’t wait to go again. Never in my life have I seen such beauty.
-AmyOMerkley
@ Rifle Panzer PalinNo Gravatar (03:42:21) :
I’m not sure why the links aren’t working, but you can search You Tube either by putting barackobamadotcom as the user name or Barack in Virginia Rain (the clips title).
Or, you can watch it from the huffington post here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/28/obama-biden-rally-in-the_n_130092.html
This kos diary has the pictures from the fredricksburg.org site embedded (the top box of scrolling pictures):
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/28/10164/8862/63/613206
I hope those work for you! I’m still figure out the new format, so I don’t know if I am doing anything wrong when posting.
@sytgrl (02:19:31) :
Nice to see such a great picture of Brian. I am reposting this from the previous thread; I did not see the new one go up!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE look at the speech. I think it his one of his best ever.
Thank you for your review; you’re right, everybody was talking about Obama in VA today.
AKM- your storytelling never ceases to engage me. Better yet (with the exception of the nuisance of having to upright the swingset and drag it back in place) your conclusions are always upbeat and/or inspire hope! In fact, ALL of our Alaskan new-found friends inspire beyond!
I can only imagine the raw beauty of waking up to godawful gorgeous Alaskan scenery (that includes the likes of Brian.
) I’m glad that you didn’t cement the swing posts into the ground. I can’t imagine the thoughts of dealing with a frightened moose that can’t untangled his rack!!
Sooo, Sarah’s stumpin’ in Ohio today with McSame? I bet they keep a taser at her side in case tries to speak beyond *Hi! How are ya?*
Palin has been a blessing to the group of us who spun up a new blog recently: “Motley Moose”. It started with two dozen of the most popular writers at MyDD who felt there needed to be a more netroots-based multi-user blog, and we debated through the name and decided on Motley (we’re a diverse crowd) and Moose (reference to the original Bull Moose Progressives).
We didn’t know that Palin would come along and provide us with endless Moose Fodder…
Thank you, Sarah.
I normally only post links to Palin stories here, to keep within the realm of adding value to the MudFlats threads, but I have to put this one here because it is too apropo to the entire thing.
A US Army Paratrooper about to be re-deployed to Irag speaks out on “Addressing McCain on Veterans Issues”. The spriteliness of Palin and the “I was a soldier once, and young” of McCain is *not* washing with the troops.
The VA speech was out of the park. Now, if he will show that kind of passion in the next debate. Engage the audience personally and show them that he is passionate about fixing what’s wrong with this country, McCain won’t have a chance.
I had the opportunity to drive through Maryland and Virginia yesterday and was thrilled at the number of Obama yard signs I saw.
Blue is our color!
Ok..my fellow Mudflatters I found ya. Have any of you ever seen this video…Johnny boy is such a pathetic, compulsive liar. I think it is just his second nature.
When you look at this video (link below), I promise you will NOT BELIEVE your eyes and ears. Take a look at the You Tube link below and pass it on. This is a view of John McCain that you probably won ‘ t see on the Network news.
The Real John McCain
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/325.html
The next debate between Obama and McCain is a “town hall” style debate, correct? The kind that McCain thinks he is very good with? Obama is ALSO very good in this style of debate. He is an engaging guy naturally.
I think Palin will be at the debate on Thursday and the McCain campaign will hope for the best…I think the expectations HAVE been lowered to such a degree that if she doesn’t sound like a complete idiot, she will win. Also, Biden has to be careful in his wording…it could well be perceived that he is “bullying” her if he isn’t careful.
@Zim from OzNo Gravatar (03:47:50) : Thanks for the David Katz reference
And thanks to everyone else for being as excited as I am!
Also, MAJOR KUDOS to SignKid (and Mom and those on the watch) making the front page of the WSJ!! It takes a (universal) village to protect our first right amendments.
Not to belabor the point, Governor Mudflats, but I believe Brian reared his head in your airspace because of job creation, healthcare reform, and to shore up the economy. His presence is paramount–he is, after all, on Putin patrol. No, Brian is not going around talking, talking. [Mississippi does hand puppet motion of fingers talking, talking]
[Mississippi licks finger and holds in air pondering the situation: Brian is Alaskan. Brian has foreign policy experience. Brian is cute. Swingset probably thinks Brian is like a pitbull. Brian can make it through a Katie Couric interview without saying something stupid.] McCain just might want to use Brian as a replacement. AKM, it is your duty to keep Brian out of harm’s way–at least until after Thursday. A Brian/Biden debate . . . [Mississippi shakes head and wonders if Brian is the October surprise]
It seems that this thread is all over the place, but I think your moose was too.
Here’s an lol link:
http://www.watchfreeepisodes.com/saturday-night-live-palin-couric-watch-video-of-saturday-night-live-palin-couric-skit-tina-fey-as-sarah-palin-and-amy-poehler-as-katie-couric-from-s/3346/
Watch the SNL spoof interview with the Alaskan dolt. It is absolutely and without a doubt the most hilarious bit I have seen on SNL since the 70′s. It gets funnier and funnier the more you watch it.
Brian the moose (not AKM’s neighbor) is quite a character. AKM, you need to get a shot of him out of the brush. When I lived in Alaska, we had a 4′ chain link fence around the yard, which moose would often simply step over to munch the flower beds. Mudflatters would be impressed by their size. It is so amazing to see an animal like that being able to coexist with the urban world.
Also having to tear myself away from sign watch. The squirrel pulling the moose bird feeder down yesterday was a classic. They are a nice family. Don’t forget to send a postcard to them.
Belgian ObserverNo Gravatar (02:10:29)
A moose is significantly bigger than a cow. They have much longer legs, for one thing. Where I live the bull moose are typically about 600 kilos. I believe the northern variety that lives in Alaska is even bigger. The thing about moose, you never remember just how huge they are until your next encounter with one. I’m always shocked at how humongous they are, and I’ve seen dozens.
Kittitians- Welcome to our Mudflats hideaway! Love that you brought an eye-opening video to share. I’ll be passing it on to peeps who annoy me with their repug garbage.
And I thought my CRS was annoying? McShame’s is SCARY!!
Mississippi- ROFLMAO
Has anyone noticed that Former President Clinton has complimented McCain every opportunity he can? Or am I being paranoid?
Fun link — yet another small-town mayor sticking his foot in it. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/104/story/220041.html
I think people have lost sight of the fact that, perhaps, Brian is just a moose who is providing for his family. He probably has several little meese at home, has scoped out your yard quite a few nights and has NEVER seen the swing set being used. Even moose have been hit by the recession so he just liberated your unused swing set, but then found it too unwieldy to carry by himself. Right now he and his brother-in-law are probably on their way back to finish the job.
Righty o…I am off to bed and I will leave you with this. ( it is late in Oz )
In my garden I have a baby crow learning to fly…… too sweet ( LOL )….and I have named him/her BRIAN after a Moose in Alaska….Is that a first ?
Ed — Funny notion
Just occurred to me — a parallel — Sign watchers were trying to get TeachKids to put up a mini swing set by Joewinkle the moose bird feeder — wonder if someone knew what Brian was up to?
Well, you know I think it’s clear that the economy, … and jobs – you need job creation under the umbrella of foreign policy. John McCain has experience from years of…we have excessive government spending that we must get under control because and you know the surge is working and we can’t afford to lose a war that the greed on Wall Street. The Iraqis are and Bin Laden was because the surge is, you know, working. And if Putin rears his head then John McCain will You know he was a POW and Obama is just not qualified. Finally, if anyone disagrees with this then “I’ll bring em to ya”
Dust Chinstrap- Thanks for the reminder about Halloween. I’m now wondering how many little Palins and Obamas will be ringing the bell. I might have to dress up as Katie Couric, dust off my old Mr Mic and interview them before I give them any candy. LOL!
Doing the happy dance — Daily Kos tracking poll now has Obama 51, McCain 42
Gallup Daily — Obama 50, McCain 42.
I know the polls aren’t everything – but I’m still loving it.
@ Cheney Wolfhound
Yup, no one would notice if you slipped into the debate instead of Sarah. Excellent stuff, I’d vote for you…
Lots of new people over at the signwatch with congratulations. Bet we will have an influx soon, probably some trolls as well.
Good morning Mudpals! I am sooo proud of Preston…being on the front page of the WSJ should look good on college transcripts.
on the Veterans side-
http://www.bsf4o.com/
Good website to pass around from the Blue/Gold Star Families for Obama.
Steph aka Beans Harpoon Palin (05:32:48) :
I think Gwen Ifill has a huge challenge. If she is perceived by the rethugs as being anything less than completely on SP’s side, they will rip her apart. Not an enviable position to be in.
I was just surfing around the links from here, and found one article that mentioned betting odds for McCain were currently 2:1.
I am considering putting a LARGE bet, for McCain to win. (I never win at gambling). That will assure Obama a win. And if Obama looses…I can be comforted in my large cash win.
Hey Ice Cold Palin
I don’t think Clinton is complimenting McCain..he just isn’t attacking him..
He has made it very clear he supports Obama.
He is going after that undecided vote
People are so sick of attacks, that here in Minnesota, Al Franken the Dem and Norm Coleman the Rep are falling in the polls while the Indy Dean Barkley is picking up there voters.
I think it is refreshing that Bill can get his point across without sliming a friend.
Shove, about that link to the email about another mayor messing up.
The article discusses an email said: “The e-mail, which has circulated in the last six months since Obama secured the Democratic nomination, claims the biblical book of Revelation says the antichrist will be in his 40s and of Muslim ancestry.”
Supposedly the mayor wanted to ck out the validity of the claims.
Errr….Didn’t the Mayor wonder how Muslims could be mentioned in Revelations when that religion didn’t come about until after the birth of Christianity?
Personally, I think Palin is the antichrist.
Sort of off topic, but it’s an open thread.
People in my life contine to amaze me. Lots of Republicans on Long Island, NY. They’re not voting McCain. They’re quick to tell you they don’t love Obama, but that’s whom they’re voting for.
Why? I overheard a man say he’s not voting party, he’s voting brains and Obama is the brighter candidate.
Of course, NY goes blue and the people with whom I come in contact aren’t going to change a thing, but I’m hoping that their thinking reflects what others in the country are thinking. When faced with the choice of a candidate who is clearly brilliant and a candidate who clearly grows dimmer by the moment, choose the candidate you can trust to make reasoned and informed decisions.
Testing…was dumped yesterday.
Here is some more fun for everyone….
The Sarah Palin Quote Generator
http://palinquotes.awardspace.com/
Example:
I see the United States as being a force for a multifaceted solution for opportunity to change it.
ACK !! Great story though
Hope you were able to salvage thes swing set !
Interesting commentary in WAPO political discussion today.
Washington: Not being cynical, because I like Sen. McCain, but did Gov. Palin talk like she has with Charles Gibson and Katie Couric when she ran for governor? Because I can’t believe her oppontent could have had worse presentation.
Shailagh Murray: It would certainly appear from the extensive news coverage of Palin’s Alaska years that she was an open book, very accessible and certainly no shrinking violet. But what she’s attempting is a HUGE leap. Way bigger than it would be for the governor of just about any other state, because Alaska is so far off the radar screen in just about every way.
A quick read about the Obama/AntiChrist issue… not even worthy of discussion, but DO check out the other common legends and myths about Obama… some are real jaw-droppers. (picture the Afflack duck at the gas pump commercial… ‘WHAAAAAAAAAAA ????’) They say you can’t make this stuff up, but some people had WAY too much time on thier hands!
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/antichrist.asp
ociliberal said:
Here is some more fun for everyone….
The Sarah Palin Quote Generator
http://palinquotes.awardspace.com/
Example:
I see the United States as being a force for a multifaceted solution for opportunity to change it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Definitely fun and funny, but they are fictional quotes. Please don’t forward to people without that disclaimer. Yes, some of those disjointed sentences could have been uttered by Palin, but not yet. I can only hope some of them will come out of her mouth Thursday night.
It might be time to just accept the simple truth Palin supporters know she’s ignorant and uninformed regarding anything outside of Alaska, and just don’t care. They’re going to love her if she eats an apple for 90 minutes. As for swing voters they won’t make up their minds until the week of the election.
Should we start a Mudflats college scholarship fund for Preston? How do we go about it? Could we send donations to MudFlats with instructions to ‘earmark’ them for Preston Fund? other ideas? I’m serious about this. It takes a global village…
hose hotrod
Regarding Clinton not attacking McCain or Obama not attacking McCain during the debates (and actually agreeing with him on several points), I am starting to understand why this is a wise strategy at this point.
Remember the voter that all the candidates are trying to woo right now is the undecided voter. Hard-core Dems and Repubs are locked in. It’s that slim 4-7% of undecideds that are the key difference right now. Those voters are not sold on any one candidate and also may see validity for certain issues with both candidates.
General concensus is that McCain actually hurt himself with the undecideds with his condescending, sneering, contemptuous attitude towards Obama at the debates. That attitude is fine for the hardcore base (In fact they eat it up and love it). But many undecideds were turned off by that and gave Obama higher ratings for his calm, cool, digified behaviour during the debates.
I like many other Dems thought Obama could have attacked McCain harder on many issues at the debates and let key opportunities go by – most noticibily McCain’s record on Veteran issues. But after reading the rationale put forth it makes sense. Obama scored many points with his ‘presidential’ attitude.
I believe Clinton is adopting a ‘presidential’ attitude also yet there is no doubt he is clearly in Obama’s court.
Palin on CNN just said she was ‘accountable to the people who elected her’ as Mayor and as Govenor… and McCain just said the same about her!
Unbelievable hypocrites…
OMG are you hearing Palin in Ohio, why don’t they just chant to the youth of Ohia “COAL MINES or IRAQ, take your pick kids!”.
Can you believe she said she sought funding for special needs kids after she cut the budget!!! what a joke!
Can you believe McCain just said that we need a President who tells the TRUTH?
As much as this is sickening me, I have to watch… like a trainwreck…
Nothing new… waiting for the ‘You will know thier names and I will make them famous’ bit.
HE DID IT… HE SAID IT!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Palin is a pathetic pawn for the McCain bunch. She threw away her reign on Alaska for this mess. What a pile.
I hope news dies down on the sign watch — it is way too crazy there right now.
funny New Yorker cover
Just a note to say how much I appreciate the Mudflats networking. And a caveat:
The bandwidth requirements are now almost beyond the reach of my dial-up. Keep this in mind, please. Or we might lose some lovely chatter.
It’s truly painful and infuriating to watch McCain deceive the crowd. “It’s time for the little man to have a place at the table.” When have you ever fought for the working man and woman, Senator? Please, tell me when.
His cock and bull story about suspending his campaign for the good of the nation would be laughable, if people didn’t buy it. What did he contribute to the bailout? He said Obama phoned it in. Yes, Obama was in touch with Paulson and leaders in Congress. Senator, the phone is a nifty tool. It’s like emails, but with voice.
If lies win an election, McCain is in like Flynn.
AKM – Thanks for your current installment regarding Brian the Moose. I believe he is simply taking a stand for ALL “SWING” VOTERS…and he instinctively knew in whose yard he would receive the most attention!
He’s shouting with his antlers – “TEAR DOWN THOSE OBSTACLES” (the McCain/Palin/Bush/Cheney tyranny!)
Brian’s screaming with his tactics (or are they strategies?) “YOU CAN TAKE YOUR COUNTRY BACK” – just like AKM lifted her swing set back from the brink of destruction!
We can do it! YES WE CAN!…I need coffee!
I love this site. Helps coping with the “red state blues” ever so much.
Was it John Adams who said “the masses are asses”???
I think it was. That must explain our current president (well, obviously the Supreme Court are asses, also) as well as the Governor of Alaska
Let’s hope for a reversal, this time around…
fivethirtyeight.com is showing Florida at 59% Obama, 41% McCain!
This can’t be right surely? Typo?
cos if it’s not, that’s game over.
Also, love the Palin quote generator.
We had Spoonerisms, now we have Palinisms!
My God! She’s been verbalized!
“You’ve palined this too much.”
and nouned.
“There’s a palin in paragraph three.”
Endless fun.
A Nana from AlaskaNo Gravatar (08:47:42) :
Just a note to say how much I appreciate the Mudflats networking. And a caveat:
The bandwidth requirements are now almost beyond the reach of my dial-up. Keep this in mind, please. Or we might lose some lovely chatter.
__
Nana,
That’s a concern for me too. We live in a rural area where dial-up is our only affordable and dependable option. Soon I will be sitting at a library in town – just watch me when they try to kick me out at closing time – Grrr! Maybe I can get a job there as an after hours “library security cop” – no pay required – simply grant me unlimited Internet use!
DeMo (08:52:42) :
“…When have you ever fought for the working man and woman, Senator? Please, tell me when.”
Johnny Mac:
“ummm, I’m sure there was a time when I voted for them. Tell ya what- I’ll find ‘em and get back to ya!”
AnneinWa- LOL good one!
This random quote generator could be the next big distraction and could give the O – sign cam a rest. A nice and scarily real-sounding randomly generated Palin quote:
I see our country being able to represent those things the track record of the evil in the world.
epicNo Gravatar (09:10:02) :
fivethirtyeight.com is showing Florida at 59% Obama, 41% McCain!
This can’t be right surely? Typo?
cos if it’s not, that’s game over.
___
Epic,
A I would like to start celebrating now just as much as all of you. However, this will not be over until the fat piggy squeals! We can take nothing for granted! Let’s remember to keep on working for Obama!
The one silver lining through the torment Sarah Palin has been putting all of us through is the Alaskans and mudflats. Thanks for sharing a bit of the “Upper 1″ (I like the name, what do you think?) to us in the “Lower 48″.
Palin Gets Panned (Howard Kurtz)
“…And the worst may be yet to come for Palin; sources say CBS has two more responses on tape that will likely prove embarrassing”
You can’t make up these things, here’s the link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/28/AR2008092802587_3.html?hpid=topnews
Read this Michael Moore statement on the financial “crisis.” He makes a strong case that it’s health care at the root of it. The leading cause of bankruptcy is medical expenses!
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=235
That’s really cool! Who named him? I’m going to ask a very ignorant question however, since I am among friend I figure it will be ok. What does moose taste like?
Is it very much like beef? Are they vegetarians like cows?
(don’t tell me chicken
I’ve made a rule not to eat anything that can look at me. But if it’s necessary, you got a do what you gotta do. It seems a shame. When I look at him you can’t help but think of “Bullwinkle”.
Off topic here. Can some go to my blog. I don’t know if my images are working or not.
it’s http://www.wecannoturnback.blogspot.com. I created the shirts for the National Day of Support – Enough!” But I’m not getting the images.
Let me know if you see them please. Thanks all.
epic (09:10:02) :
‘fivethirtyeight.com is showing Florida at 59% Obama, 41% McCain!’
Living in Florida (reluctantly) since ’96, I have seen my share of politics up close and personal. I lived in Palm Beach County during the hanging chad debacle, and now live one county further north. PBC is going through the same voting issues right now in a Judges contest, complete with mis-counts, lost ballots, and the like. Nothing changes. Until now. There are now more newly registered Dems in this state to the tune of THOUSANDS. I, for one, had no doubt in my mind that if only by sheer numbers, this state would go Democratic. The whole issue of the early primary was a good indicator. That turnout was HUGE… and this one looks to top that even more. CNN was doing an interview with some Doctors, Lawyers and Indian Chiefs (where were the trade workers, the nurses, and the under 45K per year voters?) along the I-4 corridor near Orlando, claiming they were ‘representative’ of the key areas in the state. History teaches differently. Keep your eye on Palm Beach County and all points south. As long as the machines function properly, (hey, I can DREAM, can’t I?) as I said, by sheer numbers, Florida will FINALLY get it right! The only thing left ‘hanging’ here will be McCain banners fading in the bright Florida sun!
Strike Chipper PalinNo Gravatar (09:09:22) :
Was it John Adams who said “the masses are asses”???
___
We might want to tread lightly with that quote.
Democrats = Donkeys (symbolically) = asses!
Diva your link takes me to a page that discusses Blogger Availability
test
AnnieinWA, try this. I just copied and pasted from my browser. http://www.wecannoturnback.blogspot.com/
OK, three is a charm, I hope.
Will try to post this link again, “Alaska Natives question Palin’s Support”
Maybe this has already been posted. I can’t seem to keep up with the flow here – moves too fast!
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-politics/20080929/Palin.Alaska.Natives/
OK, I give up for now. Tried posting a link three times – must be doing something wrong.
Will try again later.
AnnieinWA. I figured it out. the link is including the “.” at the end of my sentence and that character is throwing it off. http://www.wecannoturnback.blogspot.com
That should work. Let me know.
Diva – there is a description of the t-shirt, but NO image
Thanks AnnieinWA. I’ll fix it. That’s what I am getting too.
Divatalk Got to the website but don’t see any Enough T-shirts. Can see video links.
Divatalk,
Not seeing images of the t-shirt, if that is what you are asking about. But your Palin Watch has some pretty cool images.
House vote just failed… 227 Against… 206 For…
Give the taxpayers the damn money! Talk about a boost to the economy!
Holy Moley! Has anyone looked at what’s going on in congress? Check MSNBC – The Dow is down 684 points and the congress is under what they call “Marshall Law”!
Looks like they put forth a vote that will not pass!
Repubs said they knew they would only get 70 votes
Dems thought they could get half of theirs…
227 no
206 yes
THEY HAD BETTER NOT PLAY POLITICS NOW!
It doesn’t look like the bailout is going to pass the House and the DOW is tanking ….
They are trying to change minds.
While we are being told this bill MUST pass, the Repubs are the ones voting NO. Is this simply a vote to BLAME the ramifications of this bail-out on the Dems? WHERE IS McCAIN NOW? IS HE IN THERE TAKING A STAND?
They’re keeping the vote open…one switch
226 NO
207 YES
AKM – Hey!
I hope you save all these stories, create an anthology – Suggested title… “Life of Brian” ??
; )
This bill is deeply unpopular with the public. They don’t understand it and resent bailing the rich guys. I spent the morning reading everything I could find that was comprehensible and have a hard time feeling warm much like fuzzy.
Mostly this is distrust of the White House.
See great analysis by Michael moore below. The financial “crisis” goes back to bankruptcies — and their biggest cause is medical expenses! Is the bailout a charade to make it now “too expensive” to fund real health care?
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=235
see Michael Moore, below. Is the “financial crisis” a smokescreen to avoid facing up to the health care issue? Medical expenses are the leading cause of bankruptcy.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=235
Repub is asking what would happen to the bill if the gavel comes down now? He asked…If I change my mind, when will the vote be brought up again?
The vote failed!…for now
The maneuvering begins again – this simply cannot be a partisan “bail-out”
Here is the problem as I see it for the bailout. Someone needs to come out and explain to the American public in laymen terms, that everyone can understand, exactly what will happen if this bailout fails.
Taxpayers HATE, HATE, HATE this bailout and for very good reason.
But I personally am pretty sure now that it is necessary. And I orginally was 100% against itI
I believe the instability is within the Federal Reserve and not Wall Street and those in the know are spooked for good reason. I also think those in the know are afraid of ‘spooking’ John G. Public so everyone is very vague about ramifications.
Any Senator or Representive up for reelection (which is the ENTIRE house) is afraid to vote for the bailout as their constituency is so violently opposed to it so they are all standing back and waiting for someone else to pass it.
Someone needs to step up to plate and spell this out. The DOW dumped 700 today so instability is real.
The American taxpayer has been duped so many times by this administration that rightfully most of us don’t believe anything they tell us anymore.
I wish Barack Obama, who appears to be for the bailout, would be the one to show some real leadership here and level with the American public. Apparently everyone thinks we (the American taxpayer) can’t handle the truth. I counter that what we really can’t handle anymore are the lies!!!!
‘The American taxpayer has been duped so many times by this administration that rightfully most of us don’t believe anything they tell us anymore.’
There’s an old adage. ” Never do what your enemy desires, for this reason alone, it is your ENEMY that wishes you to do it.”
In other words even if you can’t see the spiked pit, it must be there. So you avoid the path you are being urged down on general principals.
But. at this time could there be a more Presidential action than for one of the candidates to stand up and declare himself?
Personally I think Obama’s going to be one of the good ones
” No Jack Kennedy” Senator?
What was that saying that someone posted?
“May the words that I speak today be sweet for I may have to eat them tomorrow”
Exactly. Obama has declared himself. McCain has been very wishy-washy (although I do think he did say he supported that bailout as an aside at the debate.)
But if Obama is FOR the bailout he needs to be unequivocally 100% for it and he need to explain to the American WHY he is for it and why THEY should be for it.
That is the problem here. No one can tell the American public why they should be for this bailout in terms they can understand.
What are the ramifications? That needs to be explained.
And if the rafmications can’t be explained then maybe the bailout isn’t as necessary or dire as everyone is saying it is.
Now is not the time to play the American public for fools. The best thing we citizens have going for us is that it is an election year and our Senators and Reps are actually worried about we think!
This deal is beneficial for the economy. They don’t know how to sell it. I’ve been checking the business channels and getting input from real financial and economy people. If they don’t do this deal, we could end up in a major collapse of our system.
They’ve got to get money back into the markets and credit flowing again.
The American people don’t understand and are scared, Congress is not explaining it right and showing how we can benefit or what is at stake. No one believes anything at Bush says and since he is not up for re election, Congress is totally going against him. This is not a Wall Street thing anymore.
That’s why the House won’t approve it. Their constituents are angry and they are up for re election. This is a disaster.
Then Barak needs to get himself briefed in and then find a camera and a mic.
You know what? I think America would follow his lead
You know what? I would follow that man.
America, I am sorry, there is NO reason that a $700 billion dollar bailout is necessary. Sorry!
I DO AGREE THAT it is VERY imortant that companies and people are able to get loans.
I would rather that Americans have the options of receiving interest bonds they buy from the government to support this bail out and that money be used to give loans to people who need it.
When banks and other companies sell their private jets, malibu beach party houses, stop going to fancy restaurants and spending money on prostitutes and drugs, then maybe I will care. When CEOs and others are held accountable for their HORRIBLE decisions that caused this problem to begin with, screwing the average American, then I will care.
Wall Street deserves to PLUMMET! It rose too fast! The housing market rose too fast as well! I own an apartment in Manhattan. What I paid for it, you could get a 7 bedroom mini-mansion (if not full IMO) in Texas. RIDICULOUS! But, the decision to buy was smarter for me. I could afford it. I did not take out a mortgage for something I could not afford. Many people did, and I am SORRY, especially since I know it comes across as rude, but you do NOT buy things you cannot afford! You do not charge things on your credit card if you cannot pay it back. That is the problem with America!
People think they NEED that new shirt, pair of shoes, or whatever. NO! You need shelter, food, and other REAL necessities! Thanks Paris Hilton for convincing people otherwise and making millions along the way!
Okay, I feel I am rambling now and people will not understand what I am tryin to say. So, I am stopping!
But, this bail out is nonsense! Some of these companies and some industries need to tank, taking down some people with it. People losing their $45,000 a year job will find another job. It is people who lose their 6 figure PLUS jobs and bonuses and their millions in inflated stocks that are CRYING! Let’s get real here! If they could not save money and cannot afford things for a while – TOUGH!
I have been out of work for almost a year! I found work for about 3 months since 2008 started! I am STRUGGLING! But, I do what I have to do to survive. Is anyone helping me? Is anyone bailing me out? NO! I pay for my own health insurance and am having a HARD TIME finding a job!
Point: This bailout is a SHAM!!!
Fear sells on TV, in Hollywood, in the papers, in campaigning, fear sells and gets out the votes. From the day they racketed up the Fear talk more people have been making more money doing more things that ever before. Just look at what they are asking for 700 billion, someone is going to get that money!!!!
Come on, get a grip! This isn’t a disaster unless you make it one. I say, just chill out and keep your head up high, don’t panic and don’t buy the party line, either party line if they are trying to scare you into anything. Fear gets us into war, into each others pocket books and into each others faces. Panic is the worse thing we can do right now.
Sure we can read and study the market, the issues, and the faces of our fellow citizens. They are all just about the same. We all breath the same air, see the same news channels (some more than others) There are good days and bad days for each of each of us. We each want to believe someone out there can fix what is wrong and hopefully knows what needs fixing. When this election is over and we are not all glued to those campaigning there will still be those who are selling something by using some new scare tactic. If you want to live your life by fearing getting out of bed in the morning, then leave the TV on all night.
I’m tired of the noise. I trust that we will wake up and find that sure enough we have been saved just in the nick of time. Pick your hero and see who wins. The latest big boom didn’t happen, at least not here. “Certain death, did and will happen to someone, somewhere, but as near as I know that is the only way most of us get off this planet.
While I’m here, I’m still supporting life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and
Obama/Biden 08
I love Brian!
BRIAN FOR VEEP!