In the Wind: "Time For a Third Party," Declares Moderate Dem Talking Head & Pollster Doug Schoen.

Today's piece on Politico.com by Schoen (a regular talking head on Fox News for whom I have a decent measure of respect given his obvious independent-mindedness) is linked at bottom. Schoen (who, BTW, is hated by the far left -- which I view as a real badge of honor) in this article makes the case for how and why Independent candidates and/or a new "centrist" third party could be extremely viable these days even given all the system roadblocks that dems and repubs have undemocratically put in place to try to prevent viable third party candidates (such as efforts by powerbrokers in both parties to preclude third party candidates from getting on the ballot). Here are the highlights (and I could not more agree with every bit of it):

- Why could a "centrist" third party succeed? Schoen writes: "Broad-based majorities view elected officials as self-serving, corrupt, fiscally irresponsible and out of touch" (citing a Pew Research Center poll). "Both parties' polls have dropped."

- How could such a third party succeed? Schoen: "This new third party must embrace all Americans' concerns" by "drawing on the general disaffection with government -- specifically the out-of-control spending and burgeoning budget deficit and national debt."

- Schoen points out that such a message would not only resonate with centrist Independents and moderate dems and repubs, but also even with many in the predominantly conservative Tea Party Movement.

- Schoen notes that there are now at least three viable Independent gubernatorial candidates -- in Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

- Schoen details how the general electorate would be open to a new third party: "Recent polling by the New York Times shows that close to 50% of the electorate say that they would benefit from a third party." Schoen notes that this is consistent with the fact that Pew Research Center polling has consistently shown for 15 years that "about half of the electorate wants a third major political party."

- Schoen discusses how in recent U.S. history, "when there has been similar anger, we have seen viable third party presidential candidates who run on reducing the government, cutting spending and balancing the budget." Schoen notes John Anderson in 1980 and Ross Perot in 1992 (who, by the way, had a very legitimate chance of winning the presidency before he weirded out, dropped out of the race abruptly, only to later return -- still, he received such a large block of Independent and republican votes so as to hand Bill Clinton the presidency).

- Schoen closes with some very well-put words concerning the fact that while it will definitely not be easy for a viable third party to become entrenched in our longstanding two-party system, Independents everywhere should have every reason to believe in the possibility: "Voters are looking for an alternative to the established parties. The big impediment to a third party, until now, has been the political elites’ efforts to keep alternative candidates off the ballot. But unless we have the opportunity for a third party, this crisis of legitimacy can only get worse. And the risk to our system grows more perilous."

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/36688.html

Episode 4 Tonight of "What Chilli Wants" on VH-1: Chilli Walks Out on Tionna!

(If you're not familiar with this show, try this primer: http://independentrage.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-reality-show-what-chilli-wants.html)

Nutshell synopsis: In a most tension-filled episode, relationship specialist Tionna T. Smalls (I never knew her middle initial before tonight's episode) sets up TLC's Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas on a slew of new dates, with Chilli rejected every single dude. By the end of the episode, things very much come to a head between Tionna and Chilli, culminating with an angry Chilli walking out on Tionna!

Segment 1: Chilli and Tionna are back to the ATL from Vegas. Tionna observes that "Chilli's hurting" after being stood up by Floyd Mayweather in Vegas. Tionna reveals to Chilli that she has lined up a string of new dates for Chilli with various suitors. Tionna's one condition: That Chilli cannot hit these dates with any of her notorious "Chilli's checklist" items while the dates are in progress. First up is a "kickboxing date" with kickboxer Tracy at an ATL gym. Tracy rubs Chilli the wrong way almost from the start, and Chilli wants to walk out when some of Tracy's sweat flies off and hits her on the neck. And Chilli breaks her vow not to grill these dates about the Chilli Checklist, inquiring of Tracy how religious he is. Chilli is turned off to find that he's not a regular churchgoer, as well as with the fact that he tends (in Chilli's view) to use big words unnecessarily. Chilli is attracted to Tracy ("he's so cute"), but ultimately dismisses him as lacking charm and as having a "smart mouth."

Segment 2: Chilli and Tionna head to Sunny's Hair & Wigs in the ATL. Tionna's goal in taking Chilli to this wig shop is to get Chilli to "loosen up" by trying out a new look. Funniest moments of the episode: Tionna puts on a blonde wig in order to become "the black Marilyn Monroe" and struts around the wig shop as such. She even gets Chilli to try on said wig! Ultimately, Chilli allows Tionna to pick out a wig for Chilli to wear (a very full and long dark-haired wig). But Chilli has reservations, commenting that wearing the wig makes her "feel like I'm in some witness protection program."

This segment continues with Chilli's next date (as set up by Tionna) -- a bowling date with T.J., to whom Chilli is immediately attracted and describes as a "pretty boy." Since Chilli immediately sees some potential in T.J., and since she doesn't really care for the wig that Tionna picked out for her, Chilli quickly excuses herself to the ladies room to remove that wig. She then returns to T.J., who gives no indication that he notices any difference (which Chilli seemed to appreciate). The two of them then bowl a game, and Chilli comments that she was having a really good time and that T.J. has a "nice butt." But she doesn't like that he lacks hair on his chest and that he didn't let her win the game. Again, Chilli disregards her earlier pledge and hits T.J. with a bit of the Chilli's Checklist, asking T.J. if he's close with his family (and he gives great answers). Then out of nowhere, Tionna waltzes into the bowling alley in order to check up on things. Tionna (thinking to herself) is not happy that Chilli has removed the wig that Tionna selected for her -- since it exhibits that Chilli is not taking Tionna's advice. Tionna pulls T.J. aside and encourages him to plant a big 'ol smoocheroo on Chilli. Chilli figures this out and quickly ends the date, since Chilli does not kiss on the first date. At the end of the day, I think Chilli really liked T.J., but Chilli still dismisses him out-of-hand as being "too young" for her.

Segment 3: Chilli goes on a string of new dates set up by Tionna. First up is a bona fide MENSA genius (I don't think his name was revealed), whom Chilli finds not to be so smart. Next up is a pro golfer, whom Chilli dismisses as "needing some time on the treadmill" (i.e. packed a few too many extra pounds in her opinion). The next candidate is an Iraq war veteran, but Chilli again is not impressed, commenting that she wants to have another baby and so (in her view) she needs something better than the guys that Tionna is setting up for her. Her final date of the episode is with Bernard, an Olympic athlete who has won gold and silver medals in track. Chilli again breaks her earlier vow not to apply Chilli's Checklist on these dates and quickly ends this date when Bernard says that he likes to have drinks when he goes out (Chilli's Checklist Item #1: No Drinking).

The segment ends with Tionna, calling it "Report Card Day," seriously confronting Chilli about all of these dates on this episode after which Chilli very quickly dismissed the various candidates. Tionna comments (away from Chilli) that "this chick don't like nobody" and that Tionna is "starting to feel like this is a waste of my time." In Chilli's presence, Tionna tells Chilli that Chilli seems to be "confused," not knowing what she really wants in a man.

Final Segment: Tionna's confrontation meeting with Chilli continues. Tionna tells Chilli that she's not finding the "goodness in guys," but instead is just looking for negative traits which Chilli can use as a justification for rejecting them. Chilli retorts that she's a "package deal" with her son Tron, and therefore she does have very high standards. Then Tionna uses the word "bitch," which Chilli really does not like, telling Tionna that "bitch" is a part of Tionna's "New York City lingo." Tionna then gets back to the subject, telling Chilli that "you're not going to find a man" because "you're standards are too high." Chilli storms out of the room in a huff. End of episode.

Preview of upcoming episodes: Tionna convinces Chilli to visit a therapist concerning her relationship woes. Chilli and Tionna go to the female therapist together. Chilli confides, "Something happened; I'm not my strong self anymore; I think I'm going to cry."

My final comments: This was the first episode on which it really started to become clear that Chilli is not simply a woman (1) with a funny and stringent checklist of required male attributes and (2) who tends to have problems finding the right man. Rather, as Tionna is noting in her various comments, there do seem to be some real issues here that are threatening to prevent Chilli from ever realizing her current dream and desire to meet the right man and to have another child. I thought it was a wonderfully insightful observation by Tionna that Chilli is failing to look for any of the good in the men she meets, instead focusing on finding some negative trait that she can use as a reason to reject those men. I think the professional therapy step is an excellent idea, and I'm really rooting for that process to help Chilli work her way through things and find that right man!

Everybody's Talking About It: A National Enquirer Report Today Entitled, "Obama Cheating Scandal: Shocking New Reports"

This report (link below) is best described as really doing little more than suggesting that Obama may have had an affair in 2004 with "gorgeous" (I agree with that part) former campaign aid Vera Baker (pictured above) (Baker worked on Obama's 2004 Senate campaign).

Let me start by saying that it appears that what The Enquirer currently has is pretty flimsy -- so much so, in fact, that I don't think they should have even run with it without having more. The only thing they have (or the only thing they are revealing) is the account of a limo driver who allegedly says that he took Baker to a "secret hotel rendezvous" at a hotel at which Obama was staying. But there's no indication that the limo driver has any idea what occurred in the hotel, and so how the hell would he know that this was some "secret rendezvous," which implies that it was sexual in nature. If this lady worked on his campaign (and apparently was very involved in it), I would assume they met all the time, including in hotels (ever seen the "mayoral election" season of HBO's The Wire?). Further, The Enquirer is also reporting that "anti-Obama operatives" have offered money to this limo driver for his account, which calls into question his motives here. In short, this is pretty weak stuff (at least so far) from The Enquirer.

But let's look ahead: If things do turn worse for Obama on this alleged "story," and if that's because it's actually true that he had the insinuated affair, then Obama needs to make sure that he does not pull a Bill Clinton. I recall 1998 very vividly. I could have easily gotten past the Monica Lewinsky scandal if Bill Clinton had early on nipped it in the bud by fessin' up. But instead, he tried to lie, squirm and weasel his way out of the story -- an awful exhibition of behavior that I cannot accept or excuse when it comes to any President of the United States.

If this thing heads south on Obama, and if it's true, then Obama will need to come out quickly and apologize for the 6-year-old incident and say that he and Michelle have or are trying to move on from it. If there is any truth to this thing, and if Obama does something similar to what I've just outlined, then I'll be able to get past the story very easily (just as I could have in 1998 if Clinton had reacted appropriately). In other words, this whole thing is a big non-story for me unless it turns out to be true and further, Obama tries to handle it in some inappropriate or dishonest fashion. And since Obama is a fairly bright politician, I tend to doubt that he would try to do that.

http://www.nationalenquirer.com/reports_obama_cheating_scandal_vera_baker_investigation/celebrity/68590

Hoosier Hideosity: "I'm in Love with My Grandson - and We're Having a Baby!"

This story from Britain's The Sun (link below) is just too weird to pass up mentioning today. 72-year-old Pearl Carter of Indiana has announced to the world that she and her grandson, 26-year-old Phil Bailey, are in love and are having a baby (through a surrogate). The happy couple is pictured on the left. They apparently had never met until recently, and Granny claims it was love at first sight: "From the first moment that I saw him, I knew we would never have a grandmother-grandson relationship. For the first time in years I felt sexually alive."

This May-December romance reportedly heated up right after the couple met. After a boring first week of "shopping, bowling and eating out," business really picked up in Week Two, when, "giggly on wine after a night out, Pearl decided she wasn't going to deny her feelings anymore." Says Granny: "I called Phil into my bedroom, sat him on the bed, and then I leant over and kissed him. I expected rejection but instead he kissed me back." But Phil confides that rejection was the farthest thing from his mind: "I wanted to kiss her there and then. My feelings were overwhelming."

And to all of you haters out there, Granny is waiving a defiant hand: "I'm not interested in anyone else's opinion. I am in love with Phil and he's in love with me. Soon I'll be holding my son or daughter in my arms and Phil will be the proud dad." For good measure, Phil also offers his two cents: "I think Pearl is gorgeous," he said. No word yet whether wedding bells may be a part of this deranged picture.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2954310/Gran-and-grandson-to-have-baby.html

Charlie Crist's Declaration of Independence: The Start of a New Trend Nationwide?

That is: A trend of moderates in both parties -- kicked to the curb by the increasingly right-wing and left-wing powered republican and dem parties -- becoming Independents and running as viable candidates against the loony left-wingers and deranged right-wingers that the two parties invariably will place before the electorate. Just today, CNN's Political Ticker blog has a piece entitled, "More Moderate vs. Conservative GOP battles ahead" (link below), which details a number of high-profile races nationwide that are setting up as primary battles between moderates and those who would accuse them of "not being conservative enough."

I do hope that Crist's Independent turn does set a precedent that other non-conservative and non-liberal candidates across the country can look to and seriously consider whether they should run as Independents themselves. Our political system -- controlled by the two extremes (and increasingly so) -- is simply broken. We need to shake it up. And the only way that will happen is for viable third-party and Independent candidates to start running for elected office against the liberals and conservatives. I say, go Charlie and go Independents!

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/29/more-moderate-vs-conservative-gop-battles-ahead/?fbid=hocPT83h71w

Jesus H. Crist! Report: GOP Florida Governor Charlie Crist to Run for U.S. Senate as an Independent!

FoxNews is reporting today (link below) that Crist has made the decision to run as an Independent and will officially announce it at a presser tomorrow. Of course, Crist -- the very popular GOP Governor of Florida -- has been trailing badly in the polls to staunch conservative Marco Rubio in the GOP Senate primary race. But recent polls have shown that Crist could very well win a general election matchup against Rubio and likely dem nominee Kendrick Meek if Crist runs as an Independent. Crist says that he's received widespread support from Florida voters who have told him that he should run as an Independent.

My reaction here is one of satisfaction, although tempered with a dose of reality. Make no mistake, Crist looks a lot like Joe Lieberman in this situation. That is, he's becoming an Independent for no reason other than the fact that it's in his best political interests (at least on the short-term) to do so. I'm under no illusions about that. But at the same time, Independents nationwide desperately need viable candidates running for office as Independents. Without that, the majority of this country that is neither liberal nor conservative will never be able to break or even make a dent in the extremist-controlled vice grip that our two political parties incessantly wrap around the throats of the American people. And for that reason, I today say, Give 'Em Hell, Charlie!

http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/04/28/crist-to-run-as-independent-in-fl-sen-race/

Who Is This Man? A Multiple Choice Test for The Washington Post...

a. Barack Obama

b. Malcolm X

c. Denzel Washington

d. Martha Washington

e. Usher

f. All of the above

(Answer at bottom)

I posit this question and answer just in an effort to provide a little help and education today to the Washington Post, which apparently has problems telling the difference between Obama and Malcolm X. Read more at: http://gawker.com/5525783/the-washington-post-cannot-tell-obama-from-malcolm-x


(Answer: C playing B in the 1992 motion picture, Malcolm X)

The Soon-To-Be New King of Tweet --Hugo Chavez?

Methinks Venezuelan socialist dictator Hugo Chavez is about to have a few more "followers" than just Danny Glover and Sean Penn. It's being reported today (link below) that Chavez is about to join Twitter. Says Chavez: "I'm going to have my online trench from the palace to wage the battle." And he's not just joining -- "he wants to dominate it," says CNN. One of Chavez' Venezuelan media henchmen is quoted as saying, "I'm sure he'll break records for number of followers."

And I think that dude's probably correct. Chavez is likely to have tons of "followers" on Twitter, if for no other reason than the curiosity factor and entertainment value. Heck, there's a good chance I'll add him. I think an occasional anti-American rant from Chavez on Twitter has the potential to be highly entertaining, as I've found many of his past rants. I just ask that he not bore me, because then I'll drop him faster than toilet paper in a Mississippi $hithouse. For example, if he becomes one of those people who likes to tweet constantly about the most mundane details of their day, then I'm done. You can feel free to offend me, but never, ever bore me.

http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/27/report-hugo-chavez-is-joining-twitter/?hpt=T2

Are These the Heroes of Centrists and Independents Everywhere? Hardly.

So-called "Independent" Joe Lieberman (who caucuses with the dem party in the Senate and who voted for Obama & The Dems' health care monstrosity against the clear will of the American people) says today that he may run again as an Independent in 2012, but then again he won't "rule anything out" and might run as either a dem or repub (link below). Wow! How's that for some real conviction and guts!

I'm sorry, but so-called "centrists," or "moderates," or Independents such as Lieberman and his best buddy, John McCain (yes, I realize that McCain has never professed to be an Independent), are not "mavericks" or "centrists" or Independents in any sense of those words. Instead, they are just typical politicians -- just like their brethren on the far left and far right -- in that they will do and say whatever is in their best political interests irregardless of what they may actually believe.

We've seen this on full display in Arizona in recent weeks, with McCain (facing a re-election primary challenge from a far-right conservative) disgustingly trying to appeal to the ultra-far-right and trying to distance himself from the "maverick" moniker that he only so willingly embraced over the past 10 years when it was in his best political interests to do so. And we see it too today from Lieberman, who promises to keep his options fully open as to whether he will run for re-election as an Independent, a dem or a repub. These men are not heroes of mine, I can tell you that (I voted for neither Obama nor McCain in 2008, for the record). As expressed, they're just typical.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/26/lieberman-opens-up-about-becoming-an-independent/?fbid=3uHbVqMf_rG#more-101337

On Episode 3 Tonight of "What Chilli Wants" on VH-1: Chilli Is Stood Up For the First Time Ever!

(If you're not familiar with this show, try this primer: http://independentrage.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-reality-show-what-chilli-wants.html)

Nutshell synopsis: Chilli -- in her quest to find the right man -- has a definite thing for boxer Floyd Mayweather, and as a result is not really interested in other prospects, but that mentality gets set on its ear by the end of this episode.

Segment 1: Christian "Chris" Harrington (who genuinely seemed to really fluster Chilli in Episode 1) is back! He comes over to her house for a second date, a lunch date. Chilli is herself cooking spaghetti (very cool) for the lunch. But little does Christian know that he's in for a real grillin' from Chilli's friend Missy Elliot. And indeed, Missy does lay into him, but he does a great job in response -- to quote Chilli, "he held his own." Although Chilli and Christian share a very nice, tight hug at the end of this date, Chilli afterwards indicates that she's not too enthusiastic: "He's cool as a friend. But he ain't gonna make it." Then she says that she just keeps thinking about Floyd and whether she and Floyd might be able to turn their longstanding "friends" relationship into something more.

Next, Chilli is shown preparing with TLC for their upcoming appearance at Justin Timberlake's charity show in Vegas. Interesting factoid: This is to be TLC's first concert appearance in the U.S. in 7 seven years (in the wake of the 2002 death of TLC core member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes). After that, series co-star Tionna Smalls (the relationship specialist who is trying to help Chilli find her man) makes her first appearance, and she and Chilli talk about the plan for Chilli to meet up again with Floyd in Vegas when Chilli's there for the concert. Chilli reveals to Tionna, "I'm a little crazy about him. I'm looking at him a little different." Finally in Segment 1, Chilli -- before heading to Vegas -- gets a chance to spend some quality time with son Tron at the local go-cart joint. At lunch, Tron encourages her to "make me proud" at the Vegas show.

Segment 2: In the funniest segment of the episode, Tionna actually meets up with a Vegas oddsmaker to try to handicap the odds of Chilli (in light of Chilli's very stringent "Chilli Checklist" of attributes that any man of hers must have) actually meeting a man in the ATL with whom Chilli will fall in love. The handicapper goes through each of the myriad elements of the Chilli Checklist, each time slicing the ATL's population down even further. Finally, the handicapper concludes that there are about 300 men in the ATL with whom Chilli might fall in love, and even that would be contingent on them falling in love with her. Get this one: He ultimately concludes that the odds of Chilli falling in love with a man in the ATL are about 2.8 million to 1! The handicapper very astutely notes at that point that such odds are considered fairly "astronomical". Upon hearing this sobering news, Tionna (who obviously does not want to fail in her high-profile endeavor to find Chilli a true love) resolves to endeavor to encourage Chilli to focus on Floyd (since he's obviously become the love of Chilli's heart).

Segment 3: We are backstage in Vegas prior to the charity concert in which TLC will be performing. Chilli is understandably nervous, since TLC hasn't done a live appearance in the U.S. in a number of years. Some of Lisa Lopes' family members come backstage, and some very touching moments ensue between them and the living members of TLC. Then TLC hits the stage and gives a rousing performance. Chilli herself described the performance as not "missing a beat."

After the concert (it's not clear it was the same night or the next day -- but probably the latter), Chilli is shown on her way to meet up with Tionna for a dinner with Floyd. Chilli remarks, "I'm on my way to meet Floyd -- feel nervous -- feel vulnerable." Chilli shows up lookin' fine, and Tionna comments, "Look at you, hootchie mama!" But then Floyd fails to show up on time, and Chilli is visibly starting to get pissed as we are sent to the final commercial.

Final segment: Even after a commercial break, Chilli is still waiting on Floyd. Then Floyd calls and tells Chilli that he won't be able to make it. Although the reason he gave for his absence is not revealed on the show, Chilli feels stood up, proclaiming that "I ain't never been stood up before!" She admits that this was "heartbreaking," and is obviously saddened, but I have to say that she handles the situation with a ton of grace and does not break down. She also reveals the present that she was going to give Floyd at this dinner: A large framed photograph of the two of them together previously. Then there are indications that Chilli may be starting to realize what I have said since Episode 1 -- that Floyd just ain't interested in anything beyond friends: Chilli talks about this being a sign and about the handwriting being on the wall. Tionna agrees, commenting that "Floyd's too cool for school." GOOD! Maybe Chilli now can really seriously think about whether Christian Harrington might be a real prospect. I still think he is, based upon Chilli's initial reaction to him in Episode 1 (read my prior blog post, as linked at the top).

Short preview segment to upcoming episodes: Tionna confronts Chilli about being "picky and shallow" and comments that she (Tionna) is "starting to feel like this is a waste of time."

Final observation: I would be the first to admit that I'm not a huge reality show viewer. So many of these shows are inhabited by completely mindless, obnoxious, egomaniacal prima donnas (of both sexes) whom no one in his/her right mind would ever want to be around in real life. But part of what keeps me watching What Chilli Wants is the fact that the two stars (Chilli & Tionna) both strike me as very genuine and personable people. Sure Chilli has her very tough Chilli checklist, but frankly she would be the last gal that I would ever describe as a "Diva" -- she's just too nice; too likable. Same with Tionna.

You Know Things Are Bad for Congressional Dems When Even Old Battle Ax Political Fatcats Like Missouri's Ike Skelton Are in Real Trouble This November

As Obama & The Dems have lost Independents in waves over the past year as a result of their far left policies and incessant reprehensible conduct of governance, a number of long-considered "safe" congressional seats are even in danger of being lost in the November midterm elections (as reported today in TheLedger.com, first link below). Prominent among such seats is the one held since 1977 (can you say term limits now) by Missouri representative Ike Skelton (pictured above with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi). Skelton holds the very powerful position of running the House Armed Services Committee.

In recent days, I have noticed Skelton's woes being documented twice -- in TheLedger.com's story today and in the past few days in a post on midwest political blog The Source (second link below). TheLedger.com reports that Skelton "has been warned by party leaders to step up the intensity of [his] campaign to help preserve the Democratic majority" in the U.S. House. Meantime, The Source reports that Skelton's seat "is now rated by RealClearPolitics as a 'toss-up.'" The Source further posits that the danger to Skelton's seat "may be a testament to his extraordinary devotion to Nancy Pelosi (95%+ voting record)."

I tried to warn Obama & The Dems in this space (as if they ever listen to anyone except themselves) that ram-rodding into law the massive health care monstrosity against the clear will of the American people would be the absolute last straw for so many Independents such as myself. I honestly can't recall the last time I voted for a republican. To the best of my recollection, it was in the mid-1990's in a couple of the local elections in mid-Missouri (when I lived in Columbia). Since the mid-to-late-90's, I have consistently refused to vote for candidates from either of these two extreme-controlled parties who do not represent the majority of this country in any way, shape or form. Instead, if I vote, I vote for third-party candidates as a protest vote (as I did in the 2008 presidential election).

But as I pledged in this space on Sunday Bloody Sunday, I will be voting republican in my U.S. House and Senate races this November here in JoCo Kansas since some measure of balance of power must be restored in Washington (although I do intend to stick to my third-party voting principles in the state and local races). And while I do very much look forward to voting against the wife of the absolutely pathetic outgoing dem congressman Dennis Moore here in my district (yes, he's running for the hills but stuck his wife in to run for his seat), there's a small part of me who wishes I still lived within the Missouri congressional district in which I grew up -- i.e. Skelton's district. Because much like Missouri republican senator and career politician Porky Bond, Ike Skelton has way outstayed his welcome in DC. I kind of wish I had the opportunity to join in kicking his butt to the curb in November. But I guess I'll just have to settle for the Moore family here in JoCo. See ya in November, Stephene Moore (or however it is that you spell your first name -- does it really matter?).

http://www.theledger.com/article/20100424/NEWS/4245042?p=1&tc=pg&tc=ar

http://thesource.typepad.com/thesource/2010/04/-generic-congressional-ballot-gap-widens-trouble-for-missouri-dems.html

Kickball League? People Still Play Kickball? And Where Can I Sign Up?

I would have thought that kickball was one of those kids' games buried somewhere in the distant past, but apparently not. A 2500-member league known as "BigBalls Kickball League" is in the news this week in St. Louis (link below). It seems that BigBalls has been kicked to the curb by the park in which the league has played since 2007. So why in the world would the park want to do something like that?

Well, in defending the park's ouster of BigBalls (which allows drinking during games and has many teams using "sexually suggestive names and logos"), the park director cited "frequent complaints of public urination, drinking and nudity" by BigBalls participants (who are shown in the second picture above). The park director also pointed to the ongoing nature of such alleged behavior: "The overall condition of very loud, raucous behavior, lewd profane language, disrespect for [park] rangers, public nudity, and public intoxication continue unabated." In short, he described it as a "pattern of trouble" and a "drinking club . . . not a kickball league."

Things apparently reached their boiling point last weekend, when -- according to the park director -- "one BigBalls member cursed out a park ranger and another [member] drove a dune buggy-type vehicle onto the fields." But the BigBalls League President says that BigBalls immediately expelled the member who cussed out the park ranger. Also in BigBalls' defense, the President says the events described by the park director were isolated and that BigBalls has tried to work with the park to resolve past problems. But the park's decision has been made and now BigBalls is apparently struggling to find a new park in which to party, errrrrrr, play.

On that front, based on my limited knowledge of the St. Louis metro area, I might have a few suggestions for BigBalls. The league could try to take their kickballs to one of the ghost towns in and around that area. I know of at least two of them. First, you've got Kinloch right by the airport -- a town that largely disappeared in the 1980's after the City of St. Louis bought up block after block of residential neighborhoods there (only the lots, trees and old city streets still remain today). Second, down south you've got Route 66 State Park on the site of the former Times Beach -- a town that disappeared in the 1980's after the EPA found dangerous dioxin levels in the soil (yes, the soil there is safe today). Now, would either the City of Kinloch or the State Park welcome BigBalls with outstretched hands and open arms? I have no idea, but it can't hurt BigBalls to ask.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/807CE5B276FDB70F8625770C0062074C?OpenDocument

Two Wrongs Make a Right: Dem Steny Hoyer "Blasts Republican 'Hypocrisy'" on Pork-Barrel Spending.

(Link below to story from today's Politico.com). Hoyer, the House Majority leader (previous picture with Pelosi above), today spoke in opposition to a republican effort to push a floor vote on a resolution that would declare that earmarks should be banned. Before giving some lip service to his contention that eliminating earmarks would "cede too much authority to the White House," Hoyer first rolled out his primary talking point, i.e. classic democrat/republican "two wrongs make a right" rhethoric. That is, politicians in both these parties absolutely love to ignore or pay scant attention to the substance of the issue, and instead rely on an implied "hey, you guys did it and so we can too" justification through cries of "HYPOCRISY!"

Of course, if one is able to divorce oneself from party loyalties for just one second of one's life (assuming you have any party loyalties), it is undeniable that such an argument is absolutely mindless and anti-intellectual. In short, it's third-grade stuff. Like the third-grader at recess who sees a classmate throwing a rock at a passing car and then tries to justify doing the same thing by spouting, "little Willie was doing it too!" It's so completely frustrating for me to watch these politicians in both parties get away with this silliness on a daily basis -- most often without anyone in the entire media spectrum so much as batting an eye. Although, it does make it fun to be an Independent, because every time a progressive or a conservative tries to hit me with a "yeah, but you guys did it too" blast, I simply ask: Precisely what "guys" are you referring to?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/36204.html

Who Says Larry King Has No Viewers? His Wife Loves to Watch Him While She Bangs Their Boys' Little League Coach (Allegedly).

(Story linked below). What's with some of these little league coaches? It reminds of Walter Matthau's Coach Buttermaker character (pictured immediately above) from the original "Bad News Bears." He would get falling down drunk while throwing batting practice to the kids and supplied them with beer after they almost won the big championship game. That brings us to the Larry King story. There, the little league coach (31-year-old Hector Penate) -- whose team includes the two sons of Larry King and his 51-year-old wife Shawn Southwick (pictured above) -- alleges that he (Penate) had a torrid affair with Southwick that often included the two of them gettin' it on in King's own bed. Said Penate: "We had sex in Larry's bed -- a lot. I had sex with Shawn while Larry was on TV. Our sex life was real good."

But before you feel too sorry for old Larry (whose now 76): Penate claims that King didn't really care that Penate was bangin' King's wife since King was more focused on his own affair with his wife's sister, 45-year-old Shannon Engemann! King's alleged indifference, according to Penate, even manifested itself in the form of King co-signing for Penate on an apartment lease. "She [wife Southwick] controlled him," Penate said. "He just sat there and signed it."

The real mystery here: Why in the hell are King and Southwick still married (heck, why did they even get married in the first place, since King allegedly really wanted the sister, and Southwick allegedly likes her men to be 45 years younger than King)? The story reports that while the couple was headed towards divorce as of last week, now the divorce is on hold! Maybe King's afraid of losing that one loyal viewer (actually make it two) that he still has?

http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/kings_coach_reached_home_a4bhwuc2r7apdAJjiWQ6BL

"Do You Want to Come Up Here"?!

Consistent with being the most thin-skinned and criticism-loathing president of my lifetime (topping even Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon in that regard), Obama last night actually tried to verbally engage gay rights hecklers who were shouting at him at a dem fundraiser for Sen. Barbara Boxer (links below). Gay rights proponents are upset that Obama's administration has drug its feet on his campaign pledge to repeal the 1993 military policy often referred to as "don't ask, don't tell."

Obama's initial mistake here was even giving these hecklers the time of day in the first place. As noted above -- not Presidential. And if he really felt it necessary to respond to these hecklers at all, then the tone of such response should have been light-hearted and respectful. Instead of that, Obama gives them a "do you want to come up here" blast. What the hell is that? Just imagine the uproar if that fool W had made such a statement to a heckler. I expect that sort of thing from Vince McMahon on Monday nights, but certainly not from the President of the United States. If ever there was a top political figure who could use a chill pill and a humility lesson, it would be Obama.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1697
http://video.foxnews.com/v/4158626/obama-do-you-want-to-come-up-here/?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a4:g4:r2:c0.000000:b0:z5

Lucy in the Ground? I've Heard of Hunting for Buried Treasure, But This Is Ridiculous.

Fans of late rock music legend John Lennon have been searching for something that (legend has it) is buried in the yard of one of his old homes. Money? Treasure? A long-lost song he wrote? A Paul McCartney voodoo doll? Nope, none of those things. Instead: An LSD stash! And a group of fans claims it found the stash this week (link below).

So what the hell would Lennon have been doing burying LSD in his garden? Perhaps his home was being raided by police, or perhaps he had just become convinced of LSD's secondary utility as an effective fertilizer? Nothing like that. According to the linked story, the legend goes that he and his fellow Beatles decided to give up LSD in 1967 when they endeavored to become practitioners of transcendental meditation. But rather than tossing his stash in the rubbish, Lennon is said to have buried it out in the yard.

And it gets weirder. The legend also goes that Lennon later changed his mind about his LSD cessation, and so he started grubbing around in his yard looking for the buried stash -- which he was never able to find. You know, it was always said that McCartney wrote the song "Hey Jude" to console John's son, Julian. But I'm starting to think he actually wrote it to console John for that large LSD stash that got away out in the yard (allegedly).

http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272631395.shtml?ref=rss

Episode 2 Tonight of "What Chilli Wants" on VH-1! Where to Start?...

(If you're not familiar with this show, try this primer: http://independentrage.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-reality-show-what-chilli-wants.html)

Bottom line nutshell: Tonight Tionna Smalls (pictured immediately above) interviews a bunch of men, applies the Chilli Checklist, and makes her best effort to match up Chilli (first pictured above) with a guy -- but the results simply do not work. But alas, it really is a lot more complex than that:

Segment 1 (the longest and most loaded segment of the episode): Tionna, in an effort to get Chilli "out of her safety zone," has Chilli throw out the first pitch at an Atlanta Braves game, and then has the PA announcer say that anyone who might be interested in dating Chilli should head to a certain luxury box. Little do the responding dudes know that visiting such box puts them face-to-face with Tionna for a good old-fashioned grilling. And as you might expect, Tionna was on a roll! Her questions to the dudes included (keep in mind that she was simply trying to apply the Chilli Checklist): "Are you well endowed?"; "Have you ever done porn before?"; "Are you a citizen?"; "How you like fake hair?". Funniest thing in this segment: Tionna asks some dude to divulge the funkiest thing he's ever done. His response: "Having sex in a dumpster." Classic. Sorry, that gets me rolling over here! Tionna also comments, "you're 6-3? 6-3 is sexy -- I like it." (I just mention that b/c The Independent Rage is 6-3, and so I thought that was cool). So let's get down to brass tacks: Finally, Tionna interviews this dude named Dolvette or Dalvette (they didn't put the spelling on the screen, and so I'm just doing my best phonetically -- I'll go with Dolvette). He meets a lot of Chilli's criteria from her Checklist (Tionna describes him as a "good piece of chocolate man"), and so Tionna sends him on to meet Chilli.

Segment 1 Endgame: So Dolvette heads up to meet Chilli and several of Chilli's old friends (in a different luxury box). Chilli and friends don't like the dude from the beginning. Chilli comments that he's not her type and that it seems like Tionna served him up like "meat on a platter." Tionna is shocked and frankly a bit put off by the very quick dismissals of Chilli and her friends. Says Tionna, "Trying to come at me! But I'm from Brooklyn. I don't play that!"

Segment 2: This was a real short segment in which Chilli's "so far just friends" dude Floyd Mayweather (yes, the great boxer) is apparently in The ATL and takes Chilli out rollerskating. Tionna describes Floyd as "Chilli's comfort", which I think is a great description since I think Chilli views him as being attractive, a fellow celebrity, and someone she gets along with -- nevermind that he seems most interested in just keeping their relationship at friends. So anyway, nothing overly romantic occurs, and Chilli and Floyd resolve to meet up in Vegas (where Floyd lives) when TLC performs an upcoming show there.

Segment 3: Despite her negative first impression, Chilli goes on a date with Dolvette. This thing runs off the tracks from the beginning, with Chilli being turned off at every turn. First, Chilli is turned off by the fact that he doesn't talk to his son (over whom he doesn't have primary custody) on a daily basis. Second, Chilli is turned off by his alleged "1-900" voice. Third, dude pushes her against her will to participate in this high-off-the-ground outdoor thing. HERE, as a dude (just like Chilli) whose primary fear in the world is a fear of heights, I totally agree with Chilli: Dude should have layed the hell off when she expressed how uncomfortable she was with this situation. But he just kept pushing. Chilli really has a point on that one. Fourth, dude started talking about seeing Chilli's son Tron and called him by his short name ("T"), which was also very off-putting to Chilli since he's never met the young man. After the date, Chilli said that she will not go on another date with Dolvette again, that she found him to be egotistical, that she's adding "no egos" to her Chilli Checklist, and that she officially "enjoyed not one moment of that."

Final Segment: Dolvette has a similar take on the date with Chilli: He says it was one the hardest dates of his life and that Chilli was "guarded, defensive, and judgmental." Then Chilli invites Tionna over to meet up with Chilli's friends again (since the meeting at the Braves' stadium didn't go so well). Chilli promptly rolls in a muscle-bound male stripper known as Luscious. Chilli indicated that Luscious was her kind of guy, but Tionna was the one who really enjoyed him -- "Lord Have Mercy!" and "He went and picked my big ass up!". Actually, that was the second-funniest moment in the episode, as this stripper raises Tionna up the air on his shoulders as she plasters dollar bills all over his cranium! The episode ends after the stripper party, with Chilli admitting that, "Yeah, I could see myself with Floyd."

Upcoming episodes: Chilli goes on a second date with Christian "Chris" Harrington (frankly, I thought it was a bit of a mistake to not have anything about that dude in the Second Episode after he and Chilli had such an obvious connection in Episode 1). Plus Chilli performs with TLC in Vegas and meets up again with Floyd.

Final impressions: I don't think there should be any animosity or distrust between Chilli and Tionna as a result of the events of this episode. Tionna did her best to apply the Chilli Checklist and send a dude Chilli's way. The dude did not work out. Well guess what, in the dating world, most people don't work out! So both of them need to just to move on to the endeavor of looking for the next guy for Chilli. Move on to the next one!

Crist Almighty! Florida Governor Mulls Becoming an Independent in 2010 U.S. Senate Race.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist is widely considered to be a "moderate" republican (i.e. one who does not mindlessly agree with conservatives on every single issue). He is running for the U.S. Senate, but -- in the current volatile political climate in which the "tea party" seeks to run all "moderate" republicans out of the republican party -- Crist currently trails republican primary challenger and conservative golden boy Marco Rubio by a whopping 20-30 points in the polls (depending on which one you look at). Put another way, Crist (a very popular political figure in Florida) likely will not be able to beat Rubio in the GOP primary this year in the Senate race. However, polls are showing that he could very well beat Rubio and democrat Kendrick Meek in the general election if Crist runs as an Independent. And that's precisely what Crist is considering doing at this moment (link below).

Not that I generally care at all about Florida politics, but I would love to see Crist run as an Independent down there. Independents need viable candidates to start running for more offices, and the precedent that Crist would set by running as an Independent would be awesome. He is getting a lot of pressure from republicans -- including some of his own top fundraisers -- not to turn Independent. But I say, go for it, Charlie! Screw a republican party that obviously does not want you! It's your only possible way to win, and do you really want to continue to hang out in a party whose base despises you? Run, baby, Run -- Run as an Independent!

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/35937.html

Isn't He Getting Too Old For This $hit?

Actor Danny Glover gets arrested this week in Maryland for trespassing during a labor union protest at the headquarters of a food service company. He does really seem to be enjoying himself, however. Isn't this sort of thing -- coupled with his recent visit to see Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez -- that which is sometimes referred to as an old person "acting out"? It is entertaining, nevertheless.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iBGeYiKYHTFKmxB6CvAUEfFO6JXwD9F4DSNO0

WaPo Column: Dems Can Avoid November Bloodbath Through Fiscal Discipline. Right! Like That's Ever Happenin'.

Today's Washington Post column is from former dem pollsters and so-called "moderate" democrats Doug Schoen and Pat Caddell (the far left really hates these guys, BTW). They speak of the importance of Independent swing voters in November and how Obama & The Dems had better do some drastic refocusing lest they wish to face massive losses in the November midterm elections. Here's two excerpts:

"The swing voters, who are key to the fate of the Democratic Party, care most about three things: reigniting the economy, reducing the deficit and creating jobs. These voters are outraged by the seeming indifference of the Obama administration and congressional Democrats, who they believe wasted a year on health-care reform. These voters will not tolerate more diversion from their pressing economic concerns. They view the Obama administration as working systematically to protect the interests of public-sector employees and organized labor -- by offering specific benefits such as pension protection and tax reductions at the expense of all taxpayers."

"Winning over swing voters will require a bold, new focus from the president and his party. They must adopt an agenda aimed at reducing the debt, with an emphasis on tax cuts, while implementing carefully crafted initiatives to stimulate and encourage job creation. This is the agenda that largely motivated the Clinton administration from 1995 through 2000 and that led to a balanced budget and welfare reform. It promoted a modest degree of social welfare spending. This agenda is enormously popular with the electorate and could eventually turn around Democratic fortunes. Democrats can avoid the electoral bloodbath we predicted before passage of the health-care bill, but in one way: through a bold commitment to fiscal discipline and targeted fiscal stimulus of the private sector and entrepreneurship."

Schoen and Caddell make some great points, but I think that trying to give advice to the tone deaf is always going to be a futile endeavor. "Fiscal discipline"? Sorry, but I'll believe that when I see it -- frankly, from either party.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/15/AR2010041504131.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

BREAKING NEWS: Republican Porn Star Stormy Daniels Announces She Will NOT Run for U.S. Senate!

This came out within an hour or so of my previous post (I guess some other candidate will have to pick up on the "formaldehyde fight"). Actually, this is fairly surprising. Who schedules (well in advance) a press conference for Tax Day (of all days) to announce whether he/she is running for office and then says, "Nope, I'm not runnin'"? Obviously, it was just huge publicity stunt (is that so wrong?), but given the circumstances listed above, I still find it surprising that she's not running. And it's disappointing, too, because it could have been so entertaining to follow!

But Daniels -- who cited the monetary expense of running as her reason for not running -- did vow to continue to "fight" for whatever it is that she stands for (I was never able to quite tell what that was). In her own parting words: "We will keep fighting so that one day the voices of the dishwashers, cashiers, bus drivers and porn stars will be heard just as loudly as those of the lawyer, the banker and the insurance company executive. This is my pledge. This is our fight."

http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1004/daniels_will_not_run_for_senate.html

"Fighting For Formaldehyde"? With an Opponent Making That Type of Headline, Porn Star Stormy Daniels Might Just Have a Chance in Louisiana!

This whole story reminds me of infamous funeral parlor owner and professional wrestling manager Paul Bearer (pictured holding the urn above), who formerly managed The Undertaker. Bearer was once accused by the late Road Warrior Hawk of using the embalming liquid formaldehyde as aftershave based on the nature of Bearer's alleged stench. But I digress.

The linked story below describes how incumbent Senator David Vitter (R-La.) (who will be opposed by the pictured porn star republican Stormy Daniels in the GOP primary this year) is fighting on behalf of the formaldehyde industry against the EPA changing its official assessment of formaldehyde from "probable" carcinogen to "known" carcinogen. Vitter is "fighting for formaldehyde" even despite "three major scientific reviews [that] now link it to leukemia and strengthen its ties to other forms of cancer."

If I was Daniels, I would batter Vitter over the head with this one come primary time. I can even think of a potential talking point for her: "I used to jump in bed to make a living, and now I'm out to change the way business is done in Washington -- And what we don't need is someone who jumps in bed with special interests to fight for formaldehyde, which the old way of doing business in DC!"

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/35834.html

Charlie Sheen Allegedly Dons Fake Cheesy Mustache, Sneaks Out of Rehab, For a Rendezvous With Angelina!?

No, not Angelina Jolie, but rather Angelina Tracy. In Touch Weekly is reporting that Sheen recently has repeatedly sported this ridiculous disguise and scurried away from rehab in order to carry on an affair with Tracy, a lingerie model who moonlights as a $3000/hour escort operating under the professional name of "Nina" (story linked below). (BTW, Sheen is, of course, currently married to Brooke Mueller).

Was Sheen really dumb enough to think that this nutty fake 'stache (which one could probably obtain for a buck at the local five-and-dime) was going to fool the paparazzi? Or is all of this really just a cry for help, meaning he wanted to get caught? Or, there's a third possibility: When I saw this pic, I busted out laughing -- so maybe Sheen has a real sick sense of humor and is doing all of this just to entertain us? If so, I give him some credit. But if not, dude has some real issues.

http://www.intouchweekly.com/2010/04/in_touch_exclusive_photos_char.php

OK, Early Predictions Time for the November Midterm Elections.

These are subject to change, of course, as news and events unfold in the months to come. First, I am going to go ahead and predict that the repubs will seize a majority in the House. Is it entirely possible that such will not occur? Certainly, but I think the GOP will be able to pull that one off. Second, I do not think the repubs will win a majority in the Senate (where only one-third of the seats are up for election in November). It's possible they could, but I think it's a real longshot. Let me put it this way: I think the chances of the repubs winning neither the House nor Senate are greater than the chances of the repubs winning both. I'll also throw in one other prediction: Look for dems in October (as well as after the elections) to claim huge victory in only losing the House. I mean, if Nancy Pelosi can claim victory after the dems' gubernatorial defeats in NJ and VA last year, I think these dems will claim victory in just about anything.

So what do I want to see happen in November? Well, the outcome that I'm predicting (repubs win the House but not the Senate) would be just fine with me because it would restore some balance of power to DC. I never again want to see either of these two parties in complete control of the presidency, House and Senate, which is what we saw in 2009 and which is what we still have, save the end of the dems' supermajority in the Senate following Scott Brown's victory. I think we've seen that the results can be fairly scary when we permit either of these two parties to have complete control of our federal government, and I very much want to see a big dent put in the DC dems' power come November.