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August 27, 2008
Going Postal
If you're a regular listener of NPR's "This American Life" you will enjoy this parody by the comedy troupe Kasper Hauser.
"This American Life" parody is called "Going Postal."
Today's Scrabble word is guid, or good.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
August 26, 2008
Campaign Websites
The Chico City Council campaign is in full swing with candidates raising money, preparing for candidate forums, and organizing their voter outreach operations.
We've got eight total candidates. I've been able to find six candidate websites. Please let me know if Cynthia van Auken or Ali Sarsour have websites up and running.
Here are links to six campaign websites:
Andy Holcombe
Ann Schwab
Jim Walker
Larry Wahl
Joe Valente
Mark Sorensen
So far I'd say Ann Schwab has the most attractive website, followed by Jim Walker.
I don't know much about Cynthia van Auken besides she formerly lived in Georgia and lost badly in a run for Congress garnering 23% of the vote.
Based on some of her writings, she seems to be concerned about "traditional morals," or something along those lines.
And she doesn't seem to be a big fan of public education calling the system "social engineering."
Today's Scrabble word is fino, a very dry sherry.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (3)
August 25, 2008
Activism
I really loved this News & Review article "New era of campus activism."
Many local political and civic leaders started their activism days on the Chico State campus - Supervisor Jane Dolan, former Chico Mayors Mike McGinnis and Karl Ory, Maureen Pierce, Bob Linscheid, and many others.
It will be interesting to see which crop of campus leaders stays in Chico five to 15 years from now to leave their mark on the community.
Today’s Scrabble word kraal, a rural village, typically consisting of huts surrounded by a stockade.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
August 24, 2008
Baracky II
The first Baracky was excellent. This video may be better.
Today's Scrabble word is dow, to prosper.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (1)
August 23, 2008
It's Biden
Barack Obama made a good choice selecting Senator Joe Biden as his running mate.
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Biden several years ago. He recounted to me that his public service on the County Council in New Castle, Delaware prior to his election to the U.S. Senate was tougher than his time in the Senate.
Given that Biden is very familiar with John McCain as a long-time Senate colleague, he'll be very well suited to critique McCain.
This is a nice feature on Biden.
This fact jumped out: "In a 2005 ranking of the 100 senators for wealth, he was 99th. In other words, unlike most other presidential contenders, he isn't a millionaire."
Obama was raised by a single mother and went to top schools on scholarship. Biden grew up in a working-class family with a father who was a car salesman. He entered public service in his late 20s and therefore hasn't accumulated much personal wealth in three decades of public service.
McCain was the son and grandson of Admirals who married into incredible wealth soon after leaving his first wife. Mitt Romney, a likely VP candidate, is the son of a former Michigan Governor who used his family's business and political connections to make himself very rich in his business dealings.
Obama and Biden each own one home. McCain and Romney likely own 10+ homes between the two of them.
Today's Scrabble word is dawk, a crack or cut in timber.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:20 AM | Comments (0)
August 22, 2008
Out of Touch
This is a great Barack Obama ad capitalizing on John McCain's "I don't know how many homes I own" comment.
There's a good contingent of Chico political activists leaving for Denver this weekend for the Democratic nominating convention. I suspect all of them know how many homes they own.
Today's Scrabble word is feme, a wife.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
August 21, 2008
Home
John McCain probably has a hard time deciding where he wants to go home since he is unsure how many houses he owns.
It's not easy to keep track of how many houses you own when you're a man of the people like McCain.
His family owns at least four, maybe seven, maybe more homes. While some families struggle to pay their mortgages or pay rent, McCain struggles to keep track of how many homes his family owns.
Today's Scrabble word is postcava, a vein in higher vertebrates.
Posted by dan_nt at 11:21 AM | Comments (0)
August 20, 2008
Impeachment
All those people who may be disappointed with the Chico City Council decision to not pass a resolution advocating for the impeachment of Bush/Cheney should simply redirect their energies to ensuring that John McCain doesn't continue the third Bush term in the White House.
Today's Scrabble word is froe, a cleaving tool.
Posted by dan_nt at 11:30 PM | Comments (0)
August 19, 2008
Growth Options
This Thursday starting at 6 pm the Planning Commission will make recommendations on growth alternatives for the General Plan.
This Planning Commission hearing is a prelude to a Sept. 16 hearing when the City Council will consider the Planning Commission's recommendations and make their own judgments as to future growth.
The Planning Commission will consider three broad Alternatives - A, B, and C.
Alternative A appears to be the preferred alternative for many influential developers who prefer to develop more land in the outskirts of town.
Alternative C appears to support the "compact" development preferred by many environmentalists and new urbanist proponents.
Alternative B appears to be a compromise or hybrid of the two above options.
I'm particularly interested in mixed-use plans for large "in-fill" areas like North Valley Mall and Diamond Match. The North Valley Mall area is a sea of asphalt waiting for proper redevelopment.
Today's Scrabble word is mizzly, or characterized by fine rain.
Posted by dan_nt at 11:10 PM | Comments (3)
August 18, 2008
No Values
I can't wait till the No Values Voter is recognized by candidates running for all levels of public service. Too funny.
Today's Scrabble word is nit, the egg of a parasitic insect.
Posted by dan_nt at 06:41 PM | Comments (0)
August 15, 2008
Best Of
The News & Review's annual "Best of Chico" contest is currently open for your input. According to the N&R:
"Once a year, we ask our readers to recognize their favorite people, places and things. Those that amass the most acclaim get "Best of Chico" honors through next summer. Voting ends September 5th at 5pm. You don't have to make a pick in all 102 categories - not everyone has a favorite day spa or DJ - but please vote in at least 15.
I'm just glad the N&R has continued its recent tradition of creating two coffee shop categories - Best Chain Coffee Shop and Best Local Coffee Shop.
If my memory is correct, when the newspaper had one Best Coffee Shop category, it was embarrassing that Starbucks won given the number of local coffee shops located in Chico.
Today's Scrabble word is heeze, or to hoist.
Posted by dan_nt at 11:40 PM | Comments (4)
August 14, 2008
Chasing Dragons
Rob Riggle from The Daily Show reports from Beijing.
Hopefully, Riggle won't resort to making any insensitive slant-eye poses like the Spanish Olympic basketball team.
I'd like to thank the Spanish Olympic basketball team for reminding me that all those elementary school slant-eye taunts I received while attending Sierra View Elementary School were simply wonderful gestures of goodwill.
Today's Scrabble word is drail, a heavy fishhook.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:18 AM | Comments (0)
August 13, 2008
Jim Goodwin
Congratulations to Jim Goodwin for taking the helm of managing the Town of Live Oak.
This is a great professional step for Goodwin, who has served for many years heading the Chico Chamber of Commerce.
I have a great deal of respect for Goodwin. Even if we didn't see eye to eye on some issues, he was always a consummate professional.
He seemed to understood that sometimes your opponent on one issue could be your greatest ally on another issue.
And hopefully, Goodwin's arrival at Live Oak means that interim Live Oak manager Tom Lando will take a break from being the hardest working "retired" Chico City Manager.
Message to Lando: Go play more golf or travel more!
Today's Scrabble word is feal, or loyal.
Posted by dan_nt at 11:09 PM | Comments (1)
August 12, 2008
Washington's Celebrity
Barack Obama's campaign response to John McCain's childish ad.
At least Obama didn't feature Pat Sajak, Wilfred Brimley or Delta Burke in the campaign ad to compare McCain with other celebrities.
Today's Scrabble word is satara, a woolen fabric.
Posted by dan_nt at 11:34 PM | Comments (0)
August 11, 2008
No Problems
Okay, I've got Olympic fever. Like I do every four years.
The best part about this year is I can watch most of the highlights or even live coverage at NBCOlympics.com on my own time, not on the television schedule.
And I'm fine that the Bush family is in China rooting for the American team as long as the President is mostly cheering. But unfortunately, Bob Costas interviewed Bush.
Costas asked: "This past week, you restated America’s fundamental differences with China. But given China’s growing strength, and America’s own problems, realistically, how much leverage does the U.S. have here?"
Bush's response: "First of all, I don’t see America having problems. I see America as a nation that is a world leader that has got great values."
Any problems? Maybe someone should remind Bush about Iraq, Afghanistan, foreclosure rate, banking crisis, gas prices, record deficits, high food prices, and a few other problems.
I know the President is supposed to be a cheerleader for America, but not like a man with his head in the sand.
Bush could have simply said: "I see America as a nation, a world leader, that despite our own challenges, strives to be a more perfect union in pursuit of individual freedom for our citizens and around the world."
Instead, Bush tells the world he doesn't see America having problems. Nice.
Today's Scrabble word is hyte, or insane.
Posted by dan_nt at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)
August 10, 2008
Chinese Parade
No, this is not an Olympic Opening Ceremony parade, but a Chinese parade on Main Street in Chico circa 1890. The photographer was E. Weyle.
Image courtesy of Clifford Sanborn and Special Collections Dept. Meriam Library, CSU, Chico.
Today's Scrabble word is fanega, a Spanish unit of dry measure.
Posted by dan_nt at 11:22 PM | Comments (0)
August 09, 2008
High Road
John McCain taking the high road.
Today's Scrabble word is thunk, to make a sudden, muffled sound.
Posted by dan_nt at 11:14 PM | Comments (1)
August 08, 2008
Car Wash
Working at the car wash for Democratic activists headed to Denver later this month.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
August 07, 2008
Divided We Win
Hilarious. What's going to be this year's wedge issue?
Today's Scrabble word is to bach, or to live as a bachelor.
Posted by dan_nt at 07:12 AM | Comments (0)
August 06, 2008
I in Team
Like many local sports fans, I've been following the Brett Favre saga and how our local Chicoan Aaron Rodgers has handled himself.
Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports summed up Rodger's coolness under the microscope with quotes from the Green Bay Packers coach:
“Aaron Rodgers has done everything right,” McCarthy said during his news conference. Later, the coach talked about his conviction that Rodgers will succeed in his new role. “You just have to believe in a number of things,” McCarthy said. “Number one, I think he’s prepared himself for this opportunity. I think he has the tools, physically, mentally, emotionally. I mean, you talk about what he’s been challenged with emotionally of late, this is great (training). Who’s had better training to play in the National Football League than Aaron Rodgers, and I think he’s handled it well.”
Despite his Hall of Fame record on the football field, Favre's antics demonstrate to me he cares more about himself than the team.
In Favre's current worldview, there is an "I" in T-E-A-M. And that "I" is him.
Today's Scrabble word is rax, to stretch out.
Posted by dan_nt at 02:36 PM | Comments (1)
August 05, 2008
Record Deficits
Why would any fiscally responsible voter think President George W. Bush did a fine job managing the country's budget?
Today's Scrabble word is girn, or snarl.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:44 PM | Comments (2)
August 04, 2008
Ronald Reagan
Some Republicans used to love inexperienced "celebrities" for President.
Today's Scrabble word is klatch, a social gathering.
Posted by dan_nt at 03:24 PM | Comments (1)
August 03, 2008
Headlines
I need a diagram to follow this story plot line about an officer, helicopter, and nude person. But I love the headline.
It's headlines like this one that make my day because, on the surface, who would ever imagine you could ever follow "helicopter rescue" with "nude visit" in one headline?
But one of my favorite headline websites is WTF CNN?
One of my favorite headlines on April 17, 2008: "Pilot whose gun went off to be fired."
Today's Scrabble word is abluent, a cleansing agent.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:16 AM | Comments (0)
August 02, 2008
Excitement
This is how many of my Republican friends feel.
Today's Scrabble word is goer, one that goes.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (2)
August 01, 2008
Childish Ad
Even John McCain's former top strategist thinks McCain's latest campaign ad is a sign of desperation.
John Weaver is quoted saying: "There is legitimate mockery of a political campaign now, and it isn't at Obama's. For McCain's sake, this tomfoolery needs to stop."
I think the average voter isn't going to make the intellectual leap that Obama is like Britney Spears or Paris Hilton.
While McCain continues his strategy of trying to paint Obama as someone without substance, Obama keeps hammering McCain as a continuation of President George W. Bush's failed policies:
Today's Scrabble word is phut, a dull, abrupt sound.
Posted by dan_nt at 12:00 AM | Comments (1)