Defending Belling

The Left banked high hopes on toppling President Bush last Tuesday. For years, they steamed over his "lies" and poor policies. All the while they organized for 11.02.04 when their collective anger could be transformed into a giant boot aimed squarely at the backside of the man from Crawford, TX. There was just one problem: most voters didn't agree with the Left. President Bush was re-elected. They must now endure another four years of the Bush Doctrine and mispronounciations. Instead of dealing with the political loss the Left in Southeast Wisconsin has decided to take out its anger and frustration on a radio talk show host.

On 10.27.04, Mark Belling was raging on about potential vote fraud. He knew the Presidential election would be close in Wisconsin. The suspicious voter registration operations in the area sent red flags waving in his mind. He worried the Democrats would steel the Badger State's ten electoral votes and, with them, the Presidency. It was in that context that he said,

You watch the voter turnout on the near south side, heavily Hispanic, and compare it to the voter turnout in any other election, and you're going to see every wetback and every other non-citizen out there voting.

Having uttered a word on par with "nigger" in sheer offensiveness Belling should have quickly apologized and admitted fault. He didn't do that. In fact, he didn't mention the incident until the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel started asking questions. At that time, he had another opportunity to apologize, take a little heat, then move on. Instead, he sarcastically apologized again and again and again for days. This flippant attitude only enflamed passions. Leftist groups began protesting outside the building of his radio station.

Finally last Saturday, Mark Belling released a written apology. In it he took full responsiblity for the slur and for prolonging the incident. Yesterday, when Belling was to declare to his audience that he was "standing up for Milwaukee" a WISN announcer read this statement:

WISN Milwaukee is adamantly opposed to the use of racially offensive language. As a result of his comment and subsequent actions, Mark Belling is currently not on the air. We regret that this incident occurred, and we look forward to educating the public about ethnic diversity. Our focus is to rebuild relations with the Milwaukee community. We now invite you to listen to the Sean Hannity show on new talk 1130 WISN.

For reasonable people, a public apology along with a suspension would be sufficent punishment. Not for the local Left. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Maria Monreal-Cameron showed that their case against Belling isn't just about the radio yapper's use of a racial slur. "In the name of decency, human dignity and brotherhood, Mark Belling and his bigoted views must be removed from the airwaves," Monreal-Cameron wrote in a statement. Note the plural "views." This goes beyond a one-word mistake. The Left wants Belling off the air because he's an opponent to their political agenda. He opposes higher taxes, tough on criminals, and suspicious of many government programs loved by the Left. Not only does Belling criticize he gets listeners to complain and lobby. Leftist politicans don't like it when conservative voters weigh in on public policy. This is a power play plain and simple. If the Left can knock off the biggest conservative voice in Milwaukee others may hold back in their criticisms.

Today, another vocal critic of Belling learned first-hand how an off-the-cuff remark can hurt others. On Charlie Sykes' radio show Victor Huyke, publisher of El Conquistador, told Sykes and his audience that the Hispanic community would no longer be treated like a "retarded stepchild." Sykes immediately pointed out that some would find that remark as hurtful as the term Belling used. Huyke was taken aback and immediately apologized. Sykes told him he could demand he be fired, but accepted the apology. Hopefully, Huyke takes to heart want can sometimes be said in the heat of the moment. If so, he should extend that to Mark Belling.

"Belling Suspended"

UPDATE: Owen at Boots & Sabers calls the response to Belling's racial slur "utterly disproportionate, bordering on lunacy."

UPDATE II: My oh my. Another of Belling's critics spouted some awful remarks of his own. Something about glass houses suddenly popped into my head.

Square Peg, Round Hole

Barbara Streisand decided to stuff a Thomas Jefferson quote into today's world. Ironcially, the part she snipped out of the quote counters some of her fellow Lefties' desire to secede.

"Streisand Dowdifies Jefferson"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 08:27 PM | Comments (7)

Way Too Soon

My goal right now is to get out of this mild post-election weblogging funk. Worrying about a possible President Hillary won't help.

But the guy who created the weblog did get some free publicity.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 08:11 PM | Comments (3)

Northern Lights

The northern lights weren't just seen in Wisconsin. NPR has some pictures from across the continent.

"Aurora Borealis Lights Up the U.S. Sky"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 03:48 PM | Comments (0)

SDS Still Lives

Lynne Stewart's defense of anti-capitalistic revolution reminds me of the stories in David Horowitz's and Peter Collier's Destructive Generation. The call for revolution and the hatred of capitalism still lives in the heads of some. Stewart tried to combine 60s radicalism with Islamism to create a deadly union.

"Stewart Defends Violence"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Terrorism at 03:04 PM | Comments (0)

How Valuable Were "Values?"

Steven Taylor writes, "As such, I would argue that far, far, far too much is being made, on both sides, of the significance of the “moral values” number." He claims the term is quite nebulous and wasn't the issue of the campaign. He's along the same lines as me.

"The 'Values' Question"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)

Worse than Spam

A spammer has decided to use one of my e-mail addresses for bulk mailing. I'm now getting all the bounced spam that can't be delivered. I actually find this more annoying and time consuming than dealing with spam. Is there any way to stop this? Do I have to go to the draconian measure of ditching my primary e-mail address that I've had for years?

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Tech at 11:33 AM | Comments (2)

Fight the Chill

It finally got cold in Wisconsin so I'm getting close to this week's Bonfire of the Vanities hosted by Sean Gleeson. Read the best of the worst of the blogosphere.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Weblogging at 10:58 AM | Comments (0)

November 08, 2004

Can't Relate

The blogosphere is egalitarian in that anyone can start publishing. It's the quality of ideas that count not the writer's background. Eventually, the physical world creeps in and you notice some webloggers are on different rungs of society's ladder. If I were looking for a car none of Ann Althouse's choices would be on my list. But I merely hawk books instead of shaping the minds of future lawyers.

"Should I Buy a New Car?"

"Althouse's No Brainer"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 08:31 PM | Comments (0)

Please, Oh Pretty Please

Let me be the first to fully support Howard Dean, M.D. as the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Giving Dr. Dean a platform to continue promoting conspiracy theories about the President as well as leading a loud, angry Democratic Party will only help the Right.

But seriously, are the Democrats this dumb? Dean, M.D. was the biggest flame out is modern Presidential election history. He found a way to raise vast amounts of money and build a community (some would day cult) around a candidate. He was lauded with endorsements. What was he left with? Zilch except for an unforgetable scream. How does one blow through $40 million and not win the nomination? Ask Howard Dean, M.D.

If we want the Democratic Party to get its act together so as to prevent the GOP from ossifing due to lack of competition then Dean should be denied.

Do realize this is against my own self-interest. I would like nothing more than to revive the Duck Hunt just to rip on the howls from the fowl. (I'd also like to get more mileage out of this graphic. I put a lot of work into it.)

"Dean Ponders Bid to Become DNC Chairman"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Howard the Duck at 06:26 PM | Comments (0)

Tit-for-Tat

The bombing of a Dutch Muslim schools is as horrible as the murder of Theo van Gogh. It shows (as if we didn't know) that Islamists don't hold a monopoly on terrorism.

I hope we're not seeing the beginning of an anti-Muslim crack-up in Europe. Historically, it would demonstrate that the continent hasn't learned anything from the dark days of Nazism. Practically, Europe needs the influx of Muslim immigrants for aging societies. The extremists on all sides may not realize it, but they all need each other.

"Dutch Muslim School Hit by Bomb"

"Muslim School Bombed in Netherlands"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Terrorism at 05:44 PM | Comments (0)

November 07, 2004

Sublime

Tonight, above the night sky charged particles from places far beyond are slamming into the magnetic field. What results is a ghostly, everchanging glow. The aurora's angelic presence is fleeting. Rarely does she allow her shimmering veil to visit this far south. Yet her aura is sublime and welcome.

Another sky was lit up. Only the glow was from a harsh rain of destruction. The Battle of Fallujah has begun. May God's blessings and a few guardian angels rain down upon that troubled city.

"U.S. Soldiers Storm Part of Fallujah"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in War at 11:46 PM | Comments (2)

November 06, 2004

Alternate "Reality-Based"

One thing depressed Lefties can do to deal with President Bush's re-election is dump the "reality-based [fill-in-the-blank]" line. It's insulting toward the people you will need next election to vote for your candidates.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 02:00 PM | Comments (8)

Pulling Back the Curtins

If you're too cheap or lazy to buy yourself the post-election issue of Newsweek, Kevin's got the links for you. I'm about half-way through it and am astounded at how chaotic the Democratic campaigns were. Sen. John Kerry was on his cell phone so much asking for political advice that staffers took way his phone twice. He was so desparate for Sen. John McCain to join his ticket that Kerry offered to make him VP and Secretary of Defense.

Populist, anti-war, screaming Lefty Howard Dean, M.D. would have imploded whether or not he uttered the "Dean Scream." Dean, M.D. and his campaign manager Joe Trippi were at odds already in October. Even then Trippi didn't think Dean, M.D. was ready for prime time.

"Inside Campaign 2004"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 01:41 PM | Comments (1)

November 05, 2004

In Trouble

The sons of one-time mayoral candidate Marvin Pratt and Congressman-elect Gwen Moore--both Democrats--will be questioned by Milwaukee police about the tire slashing of GOP vans on Election Day.

"Tire-Slashing Questions Await Democrats' Sons"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 12:34 AM | Comments (3)

November 04, 2004

Losers' First Reaction: Bigotry

Bitterness and vitrol from the Left became bigotry toward Christians. I'd like to think that such mean-spiritedness rests solely with pundits and webloggers. Unfortunately, I saw an ugly side to my Kerry-supporting co-workers today. One person declared "crazy people" were the ones who supported the state referendums defining marriage as between a man and a woman. Two others joked that Bush voters had to pray in the voting booth before making their pick. All these people don't understand the role of faith in many people's lives. Red staters have found a way to allow both reason and religion to co-exist.

Garry Wills derides Red Staters as those who believe more in the Virgin Birth than Darwinian evolution. He thinks they have abandoned the Enlightenment. He tries to make it appear the rubes that voted for Bush believe the world is flat and the earth is the center of the universe.

What does he base this on? An exit poll where 22% of respondents said "moral values" were the number one concern on their minds. For Wills and the Left that means gay marriage. However, that term is very nebulous. Truthfulness and integrity are also moral issues and they were part of the messages of both campaigns. Kerry Edwards relentlessly accused President Bush of misleading the nation into war. The two Johns also pounded on the administration for favoring the rich over everyone else. The anti-Bush 527s used plenty of moral imagry. They didn't think the President was wrong on Iraq and other issues. Rather, he was evil. The President in turn used his character as an advantage. Bush blasted Kerry on his flip-flops and vacillations. Bush questioned Kerry's integrity. Did Bush's faith and moral appearance play to his base? No question. Is that what decided the election? We don't know yet. Michael Van Winkle concurs: "we don't know what 'values' means [to] those few respondents." [That means I'm not leaping to Joe Carter's conclusion that this election was a "wake-up call" to the rest of America that isn't evangelical.]

Mark Hasty has some good thoughts on how the Democrats can win over "Red America." I want to add another. Demeaning and belittling those who voted another way from you will not make them as open to you in the next election. It's stupid to insult those you're trying to persuade. It also doesn't follow the fine example John Kerry set in his concession speech:

We are required now to work together for the good of our country. In the days ahead, we must find common cause. We must join in common effort without remorse or recrimination, without anger or rancor. America is in need of unity and longing for a larger measure of compassion.

I hope President Bush will advance those values in the coming years. I pledge to do my part to try to bridge the partisan divide. I know this is a difficult time for my supporters, but I ask them, all of you, to join me in doing that.

I admit I've been gloating, but I've kept it to my Bush-backing friends. It's not that I'm better than anyone else. I just know I wouldn't want that done toward me if the tables were turned. My guide I fail often is the Golden Rule. Nashing of teeth is all right. Just realize we're all still Americans and (baring any succession) are stuck with each other.

"The Liberal Elites Really do Hate the Rest of Us"

UPDATE: It's not just the elite who hate Red America. [via Julie Neidlinger]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 10:41 PM | Comments (6)

November 03, 2004

The Two Sides of Moby

After reading this, I thought Moby was being gracious--dissapointed but gracious.

The Election
11/3/2004 - New York City

if/when bush wins...(and who knows...it's 4 a.m..maybe john kerry will win...
but right now things look kind of bush-y. so i write this assuming that bush has won the election.)
well, he won.
america has chosen their president.
we might disagree, but they've chosen their president.
some of us might long for a secession wherein certain parts of the country declare their sovereign autonomy, but given our current state of quasi-united states, well, bush won.
tonight i realized that although america is possessed of a lot of progressive people, america is essentially a right-wing republican country.
we might resist this fact, but it is a fact.
it's not a fact in manhattan.
it's not a fact in l.a or san francisco.
but for 100+ million people it's a fact.
americans have made their choice.
we might not necessarily agree with their choice, but we do have to accept that the choice was made democratically, and without coercion.
and now we ask...what now?
with another 4 years of a republican president/senate/house, well...what do they want?
the right-wing have re-asserted their dominance.
what do they want?
i do hope that the democrats in the house and senate do their best to impose sane restrictions upon the more extreme tendencies of the newly empowered right-wing.
we live in a democracy.
and the democracy has spoken.
the vox populii have expressed their will.
and, given the rules by which we all play, we must accept the results of this election.
live and learn.
and may we all learn to recognize that the democratic process doesn't always accomodate our preferences and/or will.
sorry if i sound like a pathetic loser, but, well, we lost.
and now we have to live with our circumstances as they've been presented to us.
the sun will rise tomorrow, and the people who voted for bush will:
a-send their sons/daughters off to war in iraq
b-complain about unemployment
c-lament their lack of health care
d-complain about the high price of prescription drugs
e-complain about a low minimum wage
f-complain about high gas prices/heating oil costs
g-and so on
h-and so on...
the people have made their choice. and now, for better or worse, they have to live with their choice.
i wish the american people and the politicians who rule them: good luck.
really.
bush won. the people in america have chosen him as their elected commander-in-chief. 49% of us might have voted differently, but we lost. let's all hope that these next 4 years are not as divisive and contentious as the last 4 years have been.
good luck to the republicans, for, regardless of our party affiliations, they won and they will rule us for the next 4 years.
moby p.s-but, for what it's worth, i wish the republicans in the house, senate, executive, and judicial branches the best of luck. as i've said, the american people have chosen their elected representatives, now may said representatives lead us with intelligence, wisdom, and discretion. here's hoping...

Later, he calls for succession.

OK, It's Done
11/3/2004 - New York City

can someone remind me why secession is not an option at this point?
i mean let's be realistic, we live in a divided country.
can't we have the breakaway republics of 'north-east-istan' and 'pacific-stan'?
wouldn't the red states be happier without us?
we could still travel freely and trade freely with them, but can't we just leave?
then you could have 3 countries:
northeastistan
pacificstan
redstateistan
one other option would be for us to all join the republican party en masse and make it socially liberal and fiscally conservative(as opposed to it's current 'socially puritanical/fiscally insane' status).

ok, it's done.
john kerry has seceded.
if you need us, my friends and i will be drunk for the next 4 years.
-moby

I don't think he'd like the company he now joins.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 11:23 PM | Comments (1)

Iowa: Twice as Nice

Two reasons Iowa is cool:

1. When all the i's are dotted and t's crossed, the state will be in the Bush column.

2. The Iowa Electronic Markets got the final vote percentage almost exactly right the day before Election Day. (I added the combined values of the Democratic futures and the combined values of the Republican futures.)
   

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 09:09 PM | Comments (1)

The New Geography

Instead of living in a red part of a (*sigh*) blue state, according to Matthew Yglesias ("semi-serious"-ly) I live in Jesusland.

Well, I am a Christian.

Since Matthew seems fine with his lame anti-Christian humor is it alright if I rename his United States of Canada "Heathenland?"

"A Modest Proposal"

UPDATE: Oops on my part. Wisconsin is part of the USC (and I'm not talking Trojans). Guess I better start liking back bacon and Labatt's. The latter will be very easy.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 08:38 PM | Comments (8)

Some Post-Election Reaction

Andrew Sullivan, who backed Kerry mostly on the gay marriage issue, has gone back to supporting the President.

I've been more than a little frustrated by the president's handling of this war in the past year; but we have to draw a line under that now. The past is the past. And George W. Bush is our president. He deserves a fresh start, a chance to prove himself again, and the constructive criticism of those of us who decided to back his opponent. He needs our prayers and our support for the enormous tasks still ahead of him. He has mine. Unequivocally.

---

I hope the Democrats take Kos' advice and have Howard Dean, M.D. lead their party. That should insure continued Republican victories.

"Terry Out. Get Howard in."

---

Michael Moore continues to be a disgusting pig.

---

Michael Totten found other reaction. Some is old fashioned handwringing. Some is a sign the deep-seated hatred for Bush will continue.

---

As for my reaction, it will be a little while. I was up to 5am today. I'm just taking it easy savoring the victory and doing some non-politics stuff. One reason I'm really glad this is all over is I can get back to some serious reading. Some potentially great books have come out or will come out this year, and I want to get through some of them to give them a shot at a coveted TAM Book Award.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 05:34 PM | Comments (0)

Bush Wins Ohio

At least Fox News is calling it. By their count that means the President only needs one more electoral vote to retain the Presidency.

As for Wisconsin, Kerry leads by about 22,000 votes. Waukesha County, a GOP stronghold is giving Bush a 120,000 vote edge which makes up for the 100,000 vote advantage for Kerry in Milwaukee County.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 12:18 AM | Comments (3)

November 02, 2004

Wisconsin Exit Polls III

Here are some data from the final exit polls. No mention of who respondents voted for:

Inside the numbers: 53% of those voting in the state were women, 47% men; 28% came from union households, 72% non-union households; 36% had college degrees, 64% did not.

On the partisan side: 38% identified themselves as Republican, 35% Democrat, 27% independent. From another view: 31% said they were conservative, 20% liberal and 49% moderate.

Some 54% approved of the job Bush has done as president, 46% disapproved; 56% said the nation is safer from terrorism than four years ago, 42% said it is less safe.

The top issues for voters: Moral values (for 21%) and terrorism (20%), followed closely by economy/jobs (19%) and Iraq (18%).

I'd give the edge to Bush, but Milwaukee, Madison, and Racine, all Democratic strongholds haven't called in their numbers yet.

"Exit poll: Dead-Heat in Wisconsin"

P.S. If any of you heard me this evening on the Northern Alliance radio show, shout out and give me some love. Expect to hear more from me later on tonight.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 09:48 PM | Comments (1)

City Renegs on Agreement

Over the weekend, the Wisconsin GOP and the City of Milwaukee agreed on a list of over 5,000 addresses of voters who would have to offer up identification before voting. According to two reports by the Journal Sentinel some polling places never received the list.

"GOP Attorney Says Deal not Followed"

"More Questions on Watch List of 5,500 Addresses"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 07:15 PM | Comments (0)

Wisconsin Exit Polls II

The Journal Sentinel released more exit poll data except the most important one: who's ahead. Based on what's published, Bush is leading. 40% say they're conservative; 20% say they're liberal. "Asked if the country is safer from terrorism than it was four years ago, 55% say yes, 43% say no." The two pluses for Kerry are 53% of the voters are women and new voters account for 9%. I'd like to say the issues ranking favors the President too, but they're too nebulous. 20% say terrorism is the #1 issue and 18% say Iraq is, but we don't know how they feel about the issues. Are voters positive about Iraq? Did the bin Laden tape affect their vote?

"More Early Exit Poll Results"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 05:12 PM | Comments (0)

The Power of Weblogs

Weblogs moved the market. That's was one Wall Street trader claimed when the market went down on rumors that John Kerry was doing well.

"Exit Poll Talk Hits the Stock Market"

UPDATE: Wall Street wasn't the only market affected by the early exit polls.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Weblogging at 04:43 PM | Comments (0)

Wisconsin Exit Polls

I'm not going to freak out over leaked exit polls. After 2000's mess I'm very suspicious about them. So, I'm taking this Wisconsin exit polling data with a grain of salt even if it seems to favor President Bush.

"Early Exit Polls"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 03:30 PM | Comments (0)

Milwaukee Ugliness

The tires of 30 GOP vans were slashed while the police came to a Kerry Edwards office to move two people who were blocking the parking lot entrance.

"Police Blotter: Slashed Tires and Spitting"

UPDATE: Milwaukee police have a description of a suspect.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 03:06 PM | Comments (0)

Go Vote!

I'm off to door knock. Bush supporters, get out there and vote. Then find two other people who were wavering for Bush, and get them to vote. Kerry Edwards supporters, take a long, long nap. ;-)

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 08:27 AM | Comments (1)

Fraud Hotline

If you have any trouble at the polls or see suspicious activity call the Wisconsin GOP voter fraud hotline at 1-877-297-8923. Lawyers will be standing by. *shudder*

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 01:12 AM | Comments (0)

Barrett's Mismanagement

It now appears that the 15,000-20,000 voter registration forms not processed by the city weren't dropped on them at the last minute. Instead, the city stopped processing them on 10.25 and focused on handling absentee ballots. It's not wonder Mayor Barrett previously was telling voters to bring identification with them to the polls. He probably knew how bad the backlog was. The mayor's chief of staff, Patrick Curley said all registrations were on the rolls, but who knows how accurate they are. Still expect chaos at Milwaukee's polls today.

"City Employees Race to Record 20,000 Voters"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 12:55 AM | Comments (0)

Bush Needs 20,000 Votes

That's how many Jim Lindgren thinks he'll need to make up for the massive fraud in Milwaukee. Maybe, but with 10,000 volunteers getting out the vote and monitoring the polls it will be harder for the Democrats to cheat.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 12:38 AM | Comments (0)

It Begins

This is when all hell breaks loose. The real battle has begun.

Can we stop now?

"Bush Wins Dixville Notch"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 12:27 AM | Comments (0)

November 01, 2004

Feel the Love

President Bush and Tommy Thompson share an intimate moment.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 09:32 PM | Comments (1)

More on Mountain of Registrations

The biggest effect of 15,000-20,000 voter registration cards not being processed is many people who already thought they were registered will have to do so at the polls. That will clog things up on a day expected to be very, very busy. It will also inflame already short tempers.

I'd like to think this was some kind of snafu, but the paranoid part of me wonders if the cards were turned in so close to Election Day to cause long lines at the polls. That way if it's late in the evening and the Democrats believe they still need more votes for Kerry they could convince a judge to keep the polls open longer.

"Thousands of Registrations in Milwaukee Unprocessed"

[Added to Wizbang's open post.]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 09:28 PM | Comments (0)

"The Final Battle"

Simon Jenkins takes the prize for best article of the political season. His contains eloquence and drama that moves the piece from mere reportage to literature.

I'm going to consume a little drama of my own by popping in a movie to get my mind off of tomorrow. If you're stressed out over the election, I order you to do the same.

"Gladiators of America Prepare for their Fate" [via Drudge]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 08:43 PM | Comments (0)

Interview with a SwiftVet

If for some odd reason you're still undecided between Bush and Kerry, read this interview of Steve Gardner who served with John Kerry in Vietnam.

"From Kerry's Own Boat: Interview With Swift Boat Vet Steve Gardner"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in John Kerry at 08:13 PM | Comments (0)

Starr, not Favre, Endorses Bush

I've given up hope that Brett Favre robo-calls are being made for the President even as you read this. Whoever thought it was Favre got the caller mixed up with Bart Starr and isn't much of a Packers fan.

"More Robo-Calls"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 07:37 PM | Comments (1)

#4 Sighting

As a completely non-election aside, check out (I assume) Michele's daughter. The costume isn't scary, but anyone wearing a Brett Favre jersey outside of Wisconsin is cool in my book.

"There's Got to be a Morning After"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 07:25 PM | Comments (5)

Two Items

There are two good items (among many) in today's "Best of the Web." First, we have a Democrat using the Bush twins to assault the President. Then James Taranto found a streak that bodes well for the President:

Speaking of courts, Republicans who are superstitious about sports and politics can take comfort in another trend: Every time the Minneapolis or Los Angeles Lakers have gone to the NBA finals in an election year, win or lose--and it's happened seven times before, in 1952, 1968, 1972, 1980, 1984, 1988 and 2000--a Republican has gone to the White House. This year, of course, the Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons in five games. The Pistons (then of Fort Wayne, Ind.) were also in the finals in 1956, the only year a Republican won the presidency without the Lakers making it to the finals.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 07:14 PM | Comments (0)

Two Candidates, Two Rallies, One City

Bush backers had the better of the rallies. While Kerry Edwards fans were braving the cold and rain, the President and 11,000 of his closest friends were dry inside U.S. Cellular Arena.

A Power Line reader reports that the Kerry rally's attendence was lackluster. But Kerry supporters were all over Wauwatosa on Sunday.

"On Election Eve, Bush and Kerry Campaign Minutes Apart in Milwaukee"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 07:05 PM | Comments (0)

Milwaukee Buried in Cards

Mark Belling reports that Lefty voter registration groups have dropped 15,000-20,000 registration cards on Milwaukee City Hall this afternoon. City workers will not have time to get all these names and addresses onto the rolls by tomorrow. This is going to create even more chaos at the polls and open the door to fraud.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 05:51 PM | Comments (1)

Poor Hawaii

Kerry Edwards is taking Hawaii for granted--and for good reason. Dick Cheney flew there Sunday while Kerry Edwards sent Howard Dean, M.D. and Alexandra Kerry. I have a feeling it didn't take much arm twisting to get them to go.

Hopefully Dr. Dean had a chance to interact with his fellow waterfowl (they're all wet) the endangered Laysan ducks. I wonder if these birds make a sound resembling a Dean Scream.

"VP's Weekend Takes Him all the Way to Hawaii"

UPDATE: I'm glad I'm not an islander. Then I'd have to endure Dennis Kucinich and AlGore.

[via Betsy's Page]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Howard the Duck at 01:53 AM | Comments (2)

Lost in Translation

Osama bin Laden's video-taped message may not have it's full effect because the MSM may have mistranslated an important word. MEMRI president Yigal Carmon writes,

The tape of Osama bin Laden that was aired on Al-Jazeera(1) on Friday, October 29th included a specific threat to "each U.S. state," designed to influence the outcome of the upcoming election against George W. Bush. The U.S. media in general mistranslated the words "ay wilaya" (which means "each U.S. state")(2) to mean a "country" or "nation" other than the U.S., while in fact the threat was directed specifically at each individual U.S. state. This suggests some knowledge by bin Laden of the U.S. electoral college system. In a section of his speech in which he harshly criticized George W. Bush, bin Laden stated: "Any U.S. state that does not toy with our security automatically guarantees its own security."
The Islamist website Al-Qal'a explained what this sentence meant: "This message was a warning to every U.S. state separately. When he [Osama Bin Laden] said, 'Every state will be determining its own security, and will be responsible for its choice,' it means that any U.S. state that will choose to vote for the white thug Bush as president has chosen to fight us, and we will consider it our enemy, and any state that will vote against Bush has chosen to make peace with us, and we will not characterize it as an enemy. By this characterization, Sheikh Osama wants to drive a wedge in the American body, to weaken it, and he wants to divide the American people itself between enemies of Islam and the Muslims, and those who fight for us, so that he doesn't treat all American people as if they're the same. This letter will have great implications inside the American society, part of which are connected to the American elections, and part of which are connected to what will come after the elections."(3)

If indeed bin Laden was mistranslated there's little chance his accurate message will permeate the electorate. There's only one day left until voters go to the polls. Even in our highly-compressed news cycle life, it would still take a few days for voters to digest bin Laden's threat to individual states. If bin Laden wanted to affect the election it may have been botched by someone messing up one word.

"Osama Bin Laden Tape Threatens U.S. States Not to Vote for Bush" [via lgf]

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Terrorism at 01:23 AM | Comments (2)

Deal on Voter List

The Wisconsin GOP and the City of Milwaukee agreed to pass out a list of 5512 suspicious address to poll workers. Those voters with the suspcious address will have to fill out a change-of-address form or registration form and show proof-of-address. If they refuse, they can still vote, but the vote will be marked as challenged. I'm guessing it will be treated like a provision ballot.

"GOP, City Reach Deal on Voter List"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 12:45 AM | Comments (0)

Favre Backs Bush

Who needs the Terminator when you have a living legend at your side. A Power Line reader reports that pro-Bush calls from the second-greatest Packer (I'll let you guess who he's behind) are going out across the state. Hopefully Brett Favre mentions Kerry's "Lambert Field" gaffe. If enough people hear this it will have an impact. That shouldn't be a problem. A few nights ago, Tommy Thompson "called" my bookstore urging me to vote on Tuesday. The GOP's blanketing the state with calls. Hindrocket is correct, "I think this could make the difference in Wisconsin. I mean, really." Heck, Favre could beat both Bush and Kerry if he were on the ballot.

"Athletes for Bush"

UPDATE: There's no confirmation Favre has endorsed Bush. The Packers second-greatest quarterback, Bart Starr has.

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 12:27 AM | Comments (0)

Voodoo is in the Air

It's Halloween so it's the perfect time to accept the supernatural. The Washington Redskins lost to my beloved Green Bay Packers. If history holds then Sen. John Kerry will be the next President of the United States.

Which streak has more power: the Weekly Reader poll or the Washington Redskins? And how will the Halloween mask streak fit in?

"Kerry Claims Victory after Redskins' Loss"

"Packers Win -- Kerry’s in!"

"The Pack & Skins"

Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Politics at 12:08 AM | Comments (1)

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