*Congrats to the Chicago White Sox on their World Series victory. Now, if only the Cubs could learn from their cross-town cousins! As a Cardinals fan, I wonder why the ChiSox batters could hit 'Stros pitching while the Red Birds (who knew the Houston pitchers far better than did Chicago) couldn't buy a hit in the League Championship Series? Was it the closed roof at the Houston ballpark? PS Hey Oswalt, nanny nanny boo-boo. You lost!
*Happy Birthday to the St. Louis Gateway Arch, which is now 40 years old. I've been to the top about 3 times since it opened. Not exactly the best record, but I'm always amazed at the number of home-town folks who've never ridden the cog train to the viewing deck. I know it can be a little claustrophobic, but the view is worth a little white-knuckle time.
*In 2005, homicides in St. Louis are way up. The Chief of Police says he doesn't think it represents a trend. If not, just what the hell does it represent?!
*I recently got a flu shot, but it just protects you from the most prevalent bug this season, not the possibility of a Bird Flu pandemic. I've heard that people who've gotten the Bird variety and died were all killed by smacking into picture windows! Easy, easy, it's just a joke.
*Speaking of flu shots, I didn't have any reaction to the vaccine itself, but the glue on the bandage the nurse put over the area did a number on my arm. When I ripped it off later that night, the skin underneath looked like I had the plague! I can see the headlines now: "Widow of man killed by Band-Aid receives millions in landmark court case".
*Highway 40 leading into St. Louis is headed for a major re-do. Let's hope they don't hire the same bunch that worked on the Metro-Link expansion! We'd have to change the name to US Highway 38 3/4.
*Happy Halloween, and you vandals stay the hell away from my Jack-O-Lantern!!
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Farewell Harriet, we didn't know you well.
The Miers' nomination has been withdrawn, and conservatives across the airwaves and ethernet are touting their 'victory' over President Bush's choice to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court. Although I think Harriet Miers was not the best choice for Associate Justice, I'm a little surprised at the bally-hooing by some on the Right at her withdrawal.
National Review and some talk-radio hosts fretted that Miers was an unknown quantity who couldn't be counted on to uphold conservative principles once confirmed. They spoke of the pressure the 'elites' on the Court would put on her to conform in order to be accepted. They even mocked her lack of solid Ivy-League law school credentials as another reason for their lack of support. They even brushed off 'W's' entreaties on Miers' behalf, claiming the President couldn't be trusted.
There also appears to have been a general uneasiness about the appointment of an evangelical Christian to the nation's highest court. The East Coast GOP Brahmin may solicit donations and volunteers from the Red States, but it's not so certain they intend to share power with a bunch of Jesus-loving rednecks from outside the Beltway. Unlike Ronald Reagan, the 'Easties' have met Republicans they don't like.
No wonder the Democrats are able to maintain their standing with their constituencies despite having no ideas and no solutions. Just leave Republicans alone and they'll quickly devour each other. GOP Senators who were elected to restrain government spending and immediately went on an LBJ-style giveaway spree were bleating that the President didn't keep his word!
Forcing the President to cave on Miers may also come back to haunt Republicans in 2006. Already a lame duck, Bush will have little coat-tail to offer GOP candidates, and any political consultant will tell you that disharmony in the Party spells disater at the polls.
George W may recover by finding a strong Supreme Court candidate in the mold of Antonin Scalia or William Rehnquist. Let's just hope the internal squabble in the Republican Party doesn't beget us another Anthony Kennedy or David Souter.
National Review and some talk-radio hosts fretted that Miers was an unknown quantity who couldn't be counted on to uphold conservative principles once confirmed. They spoke of the pressure the 'elites' on the Court would put on her to conform in order to be accepted. They even mocked her lack of solid Ivy-League law school credentials as another reason for their lack of support. They even brushed off 'W's' entreaties on Miers' behalf, claiming the President couldn't be trusted.
There also appears to have been a general uneasiness about the appointment of an evangelical Christian to the nation's highest court. The East Coast GOP Brahmin may solicit donations and volunteers from the Red States, but it's not so certain they intend to share power with a bunch of Jesus-loving rednecks from outside the Beltway. Unlike Ronald Reagan, the 'Easties' have met Republicans they don't like.
No wonder the Democrats are able to maintain their standing with their constituencies despite having no ideas and no solutions. Just leave Republicans alone and they'll quickly devour each other. GOP Senators who were elected to restrain government spending and immediately went on an LBJ-style giveaway spree were bleating that the President didn't keep his word!
Forcing the President to cave on Miers may also come back to haunt Republicans in 2006. Already a lame duck, Bush will have little coat-tail to offer GOP candidates, and any political consultant will tell you that disharmony in the Party spells disater at the polls.
George W may recover by finding a strong Supreme Court candidate in the mold of Antonin Scalia or William Rehnquist. Let's just hope the internal squabble in the Republican Party doesn't beget us another Anthony Kennedy or David Souter.
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