Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Listen In! Hear My Radio Interview on Today's Author With David Ewen
Click here to listen to my interview about Painting The Invisible Man on Today's Author with David Ewen on BlogTalkRadio
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Why Is It...
Why is it...that every winter when there's a freeze in Florida, I see shocked farmers scrambling to protect their crops?
It's winter, folks. Temperatures are going to plummet at least one day during the season. Word to farmers: Join the Boy Scouts. Be prepared
Why is it...that every time there's the threat of a freeze in Florida, newscasters say "and consumers can expect to see a jump in the price of orange juice in coming weeks"?
S'plain it to me, Lucy. How come when the weather is oh-so-Florida grand, we never hear "and consumers can expect to see a decrease in the price of orange juice in coming weeks"?
It's winter, folks. Temperatures are going to plummet at least one day during the season. Word to farmers: Join the Boy Scouts. Be prepared
Why is it...that every time there's the threat of a freeze in Florida, newscasters say "and consumers can expect to see a jump in the price of orange juice in coming weeks"?
S'plain it to me, Lucy. How come when the weather is oh-so-Florida grand, we never hear "and consumers can expect to see a decrease in the price of orange juice in coming weeks"?
Thursday, January 3, 2008
It's Horse-Trading Day In Iowa Today
Iowa's caucus rules are arcane, to say the least. And yet, that old horse-trading system has a massive effect on our election process, especially if you are a Democrat. Here's how it works.
When the Democratic caucuses begins tonight, promptly at 7:00 p.m. in the 1,781 precincts across the state, caucusii, as I like to call them, will walk to the corner or area by the wall designated for their candidate of choice.
Next, party officials will determine if a candidate meets the 15% "threshold" requirement. Now, here's where the horse-trading begins. Supporters of candidates garnering less than 15% of the vote are "persuaded" to re-cast their votes for a 15%-and-up candidate. Luckily for those caucusing Iowans, there aren't many Italians in Iowa.
Once everyone has decided where to vote ("If you want feed for your livestock, Arnold, you dang better mosey on over to my side of the wall"), a second tally is taken. The results are then sent to Democratic state party headquarters via snail mail.
And how do Republicans do it? By secret ballot (surprise, surprise) and, since there is no viability threshold, each vote is simply tallied and the number of votes each candidate gets is reported to party headquarters. Boring!!
Now, I'm an Independent. If I lived in Iowa, I'd probably sign up to be a Democrat for a day. Their caucus sounds like a lot more fun. And hey, if I can get a deal on my livestock feed in the process, why not? (Oh wait, doesn't that attitude make me a Republican?
When the Democratic caucuses begins tonight, promptly at 7:00 p.m. in the 1,781 precincts across the state, caucusii, as I like to call them, will walk to the corner or area by the wall designated for their candidate of choice.
Next, party officials will determine if a candidate meets the 15% "threshold" requirement. Now, here's where the horse-trading begins. Supporters of candidates garnering less than 15% of the vote are "persuaded" to re-cast their votes for a 15%-and-up candidate. Luckily for those caucusing Iowans, there aren't many Italians in Iowa.
Once everyone has decided where to vote ("If you want feed for your livestock, Arnold, you dang better mosey on over to my side of the wall"), a second tally is taken. The results are then sent to Democratic state party headquarters via snail mail.
And how do Republicans do it? By secret ballot (surprise, surprise) and, since there is no viability threshold, each vote is simply tallied and the number of votes each candidate gets is reported to party headquarters. Boring!!
Now, I'm an Independent. If I lived in Iowa, I'd probably sign up to be a Democrat for a day. Their caucus sounds like a lot more fun. And hey, if I can get a deal on my livestock feed in the process, why not? (Oh wait, doesn't that attitude make me a Republican?
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
What I Wish For In 2008....
What I Wish For In 2008....
Here are 5 things I wish to see occur in the new year. Please add yours...
...societal sanity
...less reality TV
...an end to political hypocrisy
...a sane, new president
...an exit strategy in Iraq
-- Rita
Here are 5 things I wish to see occur in the new year. Please add yours...
...societal sanity
...less reality TV
...an end to political hypocrisy
...a sane, new president
...an exit strategy in Iraq
-- Rita
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