Lady Vols Sweep SEC!!!!

I love Shannon Bobbit! Don't get me wrong. I also adore Candace Parker, Alexis Hornbuckle, et al, but Shannon just makes me smile. That girl's got so much game, it's amazing. Her nickname back on the playgrounds of NYC was "Somethin' Special," and I agree with all my heart. The only thing about her that is small is her actual size. She's got more style, hustle, speed, and spirit than most of those 6-footers she shares the court with. She was a huge part of Tennessee's 73-53 win over Vandy today. Love me some Bobbit.

Quality vs. Quantity

Maybe Bush should be focusing on better training for U.S. and Iraqi soldiers, rather than just more soldiers. Apparently, in order to meet demand, the Army is giving more waivers in recruiting. As the NYT article details, these waivers are for moral, educational, or health reasons. It really gets me that a high school dropout or convicted felon might end up armed in Iraq, but an Arabic-speaking homosexual would be excluded from serving. I would think one gay translator would be worth several barely literate heteros.
Please do not mistake me. I do not mean to imply that the majority of the men and women serving in our military are somehow not good enough. However, the trend of lowering recruitment standards to increase troop levels should be cause for alarm. IMHO, the situation also calls for a reexamination of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
I would also like to remind all that I am opposed to the planned escalation of the war in Iraq. Unfortunately, though, nobody seems willing or able to stop the implementation of this ridiculous plan, so I am also advocating for a change in policy to increase the quality of our troops, not just the quantity.

A Donkey and An Elephant Walk Into A Bar - Political Social Network Site

Check out the Beta of this new Political Social Network Site. Hat tip to blog for democracy.

Congratulations Lady Vols!

Tonight, in women's college basketball, Tennessee beat Georgia 73 to 57. Congratulations to Coach Summitt, Ms. Hornbuckle, and the rest of the Tennessee Lady Vols. Go Big Orange!

Jim Nelson for DPG Chair

More video of Rev. Nelson in his run for DPG chair.

Rev. Jim Nelson for DPG Chair

Despite the results of the poll at Georgia Women Vote, I hope Rev. Nelson has a shot at this one. Georgia's Democratic Party needs to consider all of Georgia, not just Atlanta.

White House Says Judiciary Will Monitor Spy Program - New York Times

According to the NYT, the White House Says Judiciary Will Monitor Spy Program. Do you think someone finally drew the president a picture of the constitution? Maybe someone should draw him a picture of Iraq. Yeesh!

Jack Kingston is Countdown's "Worser" person in the world.

Here's a clip of what was mentioned in a side note in the last post. Unfortunately, whoever posted this cut Keith off, and I believe that Keith should never be cut off. I wish Keith Olbermann's special comments had their own channel that played a continuous loop of his commentary 24/7. But, maybe that's just me. Besides, I certainly don't have the time or technological savvy to record and post Countdown clips to youtube, so who am I to criticize?

Keith Olbermann on Bush's Speech

As usual, Keith Olbermann says what so many of us are thinking. He says it much more eloquently than I ever could. Countdown truly is Must See TV, especially the Special Comments.
Side note: on this same show, Keith's "Worser" person in the World was none other than our very own Congressman Jack Kingston. Aren't you proud, Georgia's first district?

Light To Unite

As part of an AIDS awareness campaign, Bristol-Myers Squibb set up the
Light To Unite
website. They pledged to donate a dollar for every "candle" that was "lit." In another example of people underestimating the power of the internet, they apparently capped the total donation amount at $100,000. The response was overwhelming. So far, more than 1.5 million "candles" have been lit. The good news is, this means the site was visited from at least that many computers, since each machine can only light one "candle." I just wish the big drug company had budgeted more money for the campaign. $100,000 is just a drop in the bucket in the fight against this global epidemic.

Joyeux No�el

I watched this 2005 French movie with a few others at the Brunswick Library Tuesday night. Joyeux No�el is based on the true story of the 1914 Christmas Truce. It is in English, French and German, with English subtitles. It is heart-wrenching, often funny, and ultimately a story of hope and humanity amidst the ludicrous horors of war. It's not your usual holiday fare, but it can certainly make for a thoughtful evening. The theme of the holidays during wartime is certainly timely. Merry Christmas.

Robert Altman 1925-2006

What an amazing life he lead! I was lucky enough to be among the Chicagoans who served as audience/extras for Altman's "The Company" a few years ago. It's not like I actually met the man or anything, but he did talk to the group for a bit. It's just nice to be able to say I was on the set of a Robert Altman film. I never did see "A Prairie Home Companion," but I might have to rent it now. It's bound to be important, if only for the fact that it was Altman's last film. The AMPAS sure gave him that Lifetime Achievemet Oscar just in time!
Thank you for fifty great years of movie making.

30 Rock on iTunes!

If you missed Jack McBrayer as Kenneth the Page on Wednesday nights (as I often did), do not fret. NBC is moving this very funny show to Thursday nights (9:30 normally, supersize episode at 9:20 this week). 30 Rock is also now available on iTunes. As a matter of fact, "Blind Date" is available for free download this week! Hey, what have you got to lose? Go on over to the iTunes store & download some Jack McBrayer!

Message from the Nelson Campaign

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT NOW AND IN THE FUTURE!!!

Rev. Jim Nelson ran a great campaign against Jack Kingston, a 14 year incumbent with 1.5 mil war chest. The Nelson Campaign raised $100,000.00, a fraction of that spent by his opponent. We need to retire about $10,000.00 in campaign debt incurred to cover necessary expenses in the closing days of the campaign. The books need to be settled on this campaign endeavor, so we can begin gearing up for 2008.



With the firm foundation built during this campaign, along with the many requests from constituents, Rev. Nelson looks forward to being your Democratic Candidate for the First Congressional seat in 2008.



Thank for your continued support.

Mirror post at Nelson for Congress Blogosphere

Democrats take Virginia and Senate

It's official: Democrats take Virginia and Senate . When I've gotten my thoughts togehter, I'll post more.

LWVGA ballot guide Part 6

3) Shall the Act be approved which expands the ad valorem tax exemption for veterans organizations to include certain additional nonprofit veterans organizations which refurbish and operate historic military aircraft for educational purposes? (HB 173, passed in 2006)
EXPLANATION: Expands the ad valorem tax credit already in place for veterans groups with 501 (c)(3) tax­exempt status to those which have been organized for the purpose of refurbishing and operating historic military aircraft acquired from the federal government or other sources, to make such aircraft airworthy, and putting the aircraft on display for public educational purposes, i.e. the Commemorative Air Force.
PROS: Provides for an ad valorem exemption to a non­profit veterans organization which refurbish historic military airplanes.
CONS: This referendum is very narrowly tailored and is an example of special interest legislation. The fiscal impact is estimated to be less than $500,000 statewide.

Jim Nelson ad

Jim's latest campaign ad. I would personally prefer footage of Jim speaking instead of this negative ad about Kingston, but what else are you going to do when you're running against an incumbent? You've got to run against his record.

LWVGA ballot guide Part 5

2) Shall the Act be approved which provides that, with respect to base year assessed value homestead exemptions, the surviving spouse of a deceased spouse who has been granted such a homestead exemption shall receive that exemption at the same base year valuation that applied to the deceased spouse so long as that surviving spouse continues to occupy the home as a residence and homestead? (HB 81, passed in 2006)
EXPLANATION: Allows the surviving spouse to retain the homestead exemption which the couple had while the other spouse was still alive. Overall, the surviving spouse would not incur any increased tax liability due to an increase in assessed value. PROS: Exemption requirements are based on age, income and disability. The taxpayers this would benefit are the younger spouses who may not qualify for the exemption on their own because they have not met the age requirements.
CONS: This referendum only provides this benefit to a very select group of the population and could have additional implementation ramifications. Further, the fiscal impact on state and local budgets is unknown.

BIR on BFD!

Now I've arrived. The folks over at Blog for Democracy have seen fit to include the Glynn Peace Press Release post in this week's Monday Blog Roundup. And I thought only my Mom read the blog. Actually, she doesn't even read it!

In answer to Roxy

Roxy asked where the troops might go if they are pulled out of Iraq. This video suggests one idea.