Endorsement

Assuming anyone actually gives a damn, I announce tonight that I will be supporting Rudy Giuliani for president in 2008. There are undoubtedly many reservations I have regarding this choice, but the process of elimination has forced me to reach this conclusion. I realize we have a long-ass time until election day and that countless things could happen between now and then that could make me regret this, but right now I see Rudy as the best all-around shot for the Republican party.

Don't get me wrong, in a perfect world I'd support someone more conservative (whomever the libertarian candidate ends up being). But the truth is, in practical terms, Rudy looks like our best shot at beating Hillary. He'd do a lot to help return the Republican party to its Goldwater roots. He'd demonstrate that conservatism isn't about bashing hippies and gays or being in Lambda Chi, but instead about embracing limited government, market economics, and individual liberty. He's so electable that I wouldn't be surprised if California even turned back into a red state like it was in the 80's. His commitment to small government, entitlement reform, and free markets helped revitalize New York City. Imagine what it could do for America.

While Rudy's record of failing to protect the lives of the unborn and the Second Amendment is downright atrocious, I think his position on these issues could change once he actually leaves New York City for once. He would also do well to name a social conservative (Newt) as VP to help rally the party. Because I know how Newt thinks, he probably won't enter himself into the race until September. This is smart, but it shouldn't stop the Giuliani team from opening up some kind of dialogue with Newt now about joining a single ticket once the smoke clears after the primaries.

Most say that Rudy's toughest fight will be getting through the primaries, but with all the polls already showing him 10-15 points in the lead among Republican voters, this might not be as hard as once thought.

All of you Rudy supporters who will be joining my ranks can find campaign apparel and merchandise at the new Spalding Group website (the same company responsible for the brilliant "W the President" product line in '04).

In Praise of Sweatshops

I know what you're thinking: what a heartless thing to say! How could someone in their right mind actually be for sweatshops?!?! Well, first watch this short 4 minute clip from a recent 20/20 Special and then tell me what you think.

Kudos to ABC's John Stossel for being one of the very few journalists in network news that actually gives both sides a fair shake.

Of Course This Would Happen

You can't make this up.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/26/sharpton.thurmond.ap/index.html

The Battle Continues...

As you may have noticed, the list of contributors to your immediate right has shortened a bit. Two of our distinguished founding members, Will Fleming and Stephen Leonard, are no longer with us. Rest assured, the reasons behind their departure were not in vain or related to any ill will among the contributors. Both simply decided it was time to move on.

Over the last two years, Fleming and Leonard played an integral role in shaping this blog. Leonard's tried and true die-hard conservatism will be sorely missed, as will Fleming's commentary on BC and local eating establishments. However, while both have left enormous shoes to fill, I am confident we can and will continue to carry out our purpose.

In filling the political void, I must say I am most confident with the evolution of Joe Wood's role here. Wood's development over the past year from a relatively quiet presence to a staunch defender of the virtues of free markets is very assuring. His cynicism towards blind ideology over reasonable practicality, displayed weekly in his Vox Populi Gems commentary, helps confirms this. And I further can personally testify to Wood's right-minded convictions which were demonstrated yet again last night during a discussion about the affordability of private health insurance while playing bumper pool at Doc's Bar at 2:30 in the morning.

As for the BC side of things, Fleming will continue his regular commentary on Cadet sports over at BC Gottum, which has grown from a small side project to a flagship site in its own right. I wouldn't be surprised if Gottum's traffic regularly exceeds ours on any given day.

So while we wish our first two BMBS "Alumni" the best of luck in future endeavors, this is no time to lose hope. The battle continues...

Creepy

This looks like a damn good high school. The "about BHS" part sounds eerily familiar. Does anyone know if they got the plan for the school from us since we were founded before them? Also, they have the #1 ranked basketball team in Virginia.
http://www.benedictinehighschool.org/home/home.asp

Friday Morning YouTube Grab Bag

At age 4, this guy was my idol. Damn I miss the Eighties.

Vox Populi: Gems of the Week

Oh man, we had some GREAT sumbissions this week, but this isn’t the BCS and I picked one winner. Here they are, your Gems of the Week:

Dishonorable Mention:
"What kind of self-absorbed twit thinks people set a goal in life of earning minimum wage?"
- People unconsciously set that goal when they choose to drop out of school and not work hard when someone finally hires them.

Dishonorable Mention:
"Georgia Power makes family members on Social Security and welfare suffer with the high power bills. They are ripping off the public."
- Georgia Power is not picking on you. Everyone pays the same rate. Regardless, Georgia Power still sucks. They were recently allowed to increase their rate due to rising fuel costs under the condition that if fuel costs go back down, Georgia Power must reduce their rate or repay their customers. Don’t hold your breath for either.

Dishonorable Mention
“What closes clubs is the behavior people use in them clubs.”
- Wow. Ok, I’m not smug to the point that I make fun of people who use bad grammar in casual conversation. I don’t. However, when you call or write in to Vox to publicly make your point (which is really no point at all), clean up your grammar or everyone who reads your comment will think you’re a total idiot. People will automatically assume you’re an idiot just for contributing to Vox; don’t give them more evidence.

Third Runner-up:
"I confess. I'm the father of Anna Nicole's baby. Write me the check."
- Oh! How ruthlessly absurd! For you, a resident of Savannah, GA to say you’re the father of a rich, deceased California woman’s baby is simply ludicrous! But seriously, guys have only been telling that joke for what, three weeks now? You’re a quick one… NOT!!! Oh I got you good.

Second Runner-up:
"People in India were protesting Valentine's Day. Isn't that a waste of time? If they don't want to buy a valentine, don't buy one and let those who want to alone."
- Yes. That’s exactly why the Indian people were angered by Valentine’s Day; they didn’t want to buy cards. The Hindu and/or Muslim people in India were so upset over the commercialization of a Christian holiday that they took to the streets in protest.

First Runner-up:
"I picked my dogs up from doggie daycare at noon and they had not been walked yet."
- I wish we all had time to pick up our dogs from doggie daycare at noon on a week day, but we have to work. I’m completely certain that you are a used-to-be-hot, trophy housewife who does nothing but spend your rich husband’s money and flaunt your ever-sagging features at the lawn boy, pool boy, tennis coach, country club golf pro, gardener, cable guy, mail man, UPS guy, FedEx guy, auto mechanic, local cops, fire fighters, and your adolescent son’s friends. Walk your own dogs, hag.

And your Gem of the Week:
"I think all American law enforcement should stage a walk out for a day in protest over the border guard who was unjustly put in jail for doing his job when he shot an illegal alien drug dealer."
- Holy shit, are you kidding? I came across this on Wednesday and was literally stunned. This is by far the DUMBEST thing I’ve read in months, and I read Vox every day. This person can’t be serious. Just think what would happen if all law enforcement walked out on their jobs. It goes without saying that this is the front runner for Gem of the Year, 2007.

Happy Friday, folks.

Disclaimer

In light of recent controversy, I've decided to issue this warning to all our visitors, past, present, and future:

The views and opinions expressed on this First Amendment-protected blog are those of independent and free-thinking Irish-Catholic American citizens (except Ryan, who is Cracker-Methodist and can thus handle any lawsuits you may wish to bring). Love us or hate us, we will always strive to facilitate discussion in the great marketplace of ideas on every topic ranging from St. Patrick's Day, downtown eating places, Thirsty Thursdays, politics, the great debate of Barnes vs. Carey Hilliard's, and yes, sometimes even BC.

Anyone who can't deal with that can start their own blog, visit another blog, or get a life.

You might be a Cracker on St. Patrick's Day if...

Okay men, it's about that time of year. This is by far my favorite post, started by our illustrious Colonel, Will Fleming. I'll start off with a couple of my own.

You know St. Patrick's Day as "St Paddy's Day."

You're first name is other than a saint's name.

You're idea of dressing up is to stroll down to the 7-11 and buy a "Saint Patrick was a Saint, but I ain't" t-shirt

You have no idea people watch the parade from the squares.

You believe the Shriners have an inalienable right to be in the parade.

You think the K of C is Kentucky Fried Chicken.

You search far and wide for green beer.

You tell your buddies to meet you in front of Wet Willies, because that's where it's at.

New BC Website

The new website is up and running. The address is still www.bcsav.net. It is not completely finished, but it had to be up for RFI, which goes down 22 FEB.

No Girls Allowed

It was brought to my attention last night that a certain female companion who reads this blog is interested in coming down for St. Patrick's Day. The reasons for her previous two years of 3-17 absence were being underage the first year, and being in Italy last year. She's genuinely excited about the whole thing, but I want to make sure she knows the bad stuff that comes with the good.

So if you have any insight into what it's like to bring a girl for the parade, especially one who isn't from Savannah, please post them here. Even if you've never brought a girl for the day's festivities, feel free to give her some advice.

The Squeaky Wheel Gets The City Ordinance

During my daily review of Vox Populi, I came across something that wasn’t a gem; rather it was something of genuine concern to us all. I had read about the new ordinance regarding the setting up of tents on St. Patrick's Day weekend, but this Vox submission shook me from my silence:

"The new rule to restrict tents in the squares on St. Patrick's Day will hurt families that support the festival every year. Why must the city always regulate law abiding citizens?"

See, I know how the whole thing started. Rich, transplanted Yankees moved into the Historic District so they could live in the increasingly expensive townhouses, drink their cappuccinos and bitch about the squares to anyone who will listen. They read the book* and thought, “My, what a quaint and genteel little town with their gender-confused performers and voodoo priestesses. Savannah looks so cute. They drink alcohol there. They say cute things like ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am’ and ‘thank you.’ I’d love to live there.”

These people have no idea what St. Patrick’s day is about, so when that one day a year rolls around where everyone is out having a good time, the Yankees are displeased and if there’s one thing a Yankee can do, it’s complain. So the Yankees call up their councilman and start complaining. Since NOTHING is more annoying than a complaining Yankee, the City caves and passes these new ordinances that really won’t do anything but quiet the Yankees, at least for a minute.

If the City Council had a spine, they could have just reminded the Yankees that this year’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities will generate more revenue for the city of Savannah than their property tax dollars ever will and if they don’t like it, then they can shoot on over to I-95 and go north.

* - The book, of course, is Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil.

Mitt Romney: Flip Flopper

Is Mitt Romney the Republican version of John Kerry? If you watch clips from his debates with Ted Kennedy in 1994, and his campaign for governor in 2002, both of which I've posted below, this seems to be the case. Professor Bainbridge nailed it yesterday on his blog:

I am deeply suspicious of politicians whose views on abortion, stem cells, and the rest of the culture of life issues "evolve" just in time for them to run for higher office.

And Erik at Redstate had this to say:

"...like Hillary Clinton, (Romney) is a political opportunist who I increasingly see as someone without principle, only a weather vane."

I agree with them. What assurances do we have that this man will keep his word on core conservative issues once he gets the Republican nomination? In '94, he said he wanted to work to "overturn" the era of Reagan/Bush. Now he's pretending to be Reagan. The problem is, McCain is even more guilty of doing this in many aspects. Both McCain and Romney called Bush's tax cuts deeply irresponsible when they first passed. Now they're celebrating them. Bush's abandonment of limited-government principles since 2000 has been bad enough, so what makes us believe these guys, who criticized just about the only conservative aspect of Bush's agenda, will be any better?

I really hate the field right now. Many, surprisingly, seem to be turning their support towards Giuliani by mere process of elimination. At least he's been somewhat consistent in what he stands for and at least seems to have some form of backbone, even if 70% of that backbone isn't conservative.

Any inkling of support any of you may have had for Romney will probably die after watching these two clips:

One More Month

A Revolution in School Choice

The State of Utah recently passed a sweeping education reform bill that provides for complete and total K-12 school choice as well as school vouchers (ranging from $500 a year to $3,000 a year based on family income) for private school. Unlike the entitlements our friends on the welfare-state left love to hand out, laws like this actually help the poor.

The bill makes Utah's school choice law the nation's most progressive by far (and when I use words like "progressive," "diversity," and "choice," they actually mean those things). It's a great piece of legislation because it's about getting the decision-making process, particularly for low-income families, out of the hands of bureaucrats and unions and into the hands of parents and their children. It's about giving teachers more leeway in using discipline and more local control over the teaching methods they use. It's about transforming education from a Soviet-style "one-size fits all" system into a diverse and competitive market-based one. It's about giving people the freedom of choice instead of merely throwing dollars at a broken system.

European countries, which on average spend substantially less per pupil than we do, have allowed for school choice for years and their kids outperform American students on just about every comparable test (if you have time, you can watch this 20/20 Special on YouTube for more details and facts). American schools were the same way until the 1960's. Thanks to states like Utah, it looks like things may finally be trending back in the right direction.

I'm willing to bet you will start to see Utah's students perform better on nationwide tests over the next few years. Georgia, whose school choice law only allows for the creation of charter schools on a limited basis, should follow Utah's lead.

House Hearing On "Warming of the Planet" Cancelled After Ice Storm

(I saw this on Drudge Report and thought it was too funny to pass up.)

HEARING NOTICE:

Tue Feb 13 2007 19:31:25 ET

The Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building has been postponed due to inclement weather. The hearing is entitled “Climate Change: Are Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Human Activities Contributing to a Warming of the Planet?”

The hearing will be rescheduled to a date and time to be announced later.

DC WEATHER REPORT:

Wednesday: Freezing rain in the morning. Total ice accumulation between one half to three quarters of an inch. Brisk with highs in the mid 30s. North winds 10 to 15 mph...increasing to northwest 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows around 18. Northwest winds around 20 mph.

Kickass Reagan Quote, #412

During a soundcheck before a radio address in 1984, unaware that it was being broadcast:

"My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've just signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."

This little Goldwater-esque quip got the Gipper in quite a heap of trouble with the news media, but the people saw through it and his approval ratings actually went up. The audio clip can be found here.

Vox Populi: Gems of the Week

It was shooting fish in a barrel this week. Enjoy the Gems!

BC in VOX:
"Regarding the drama at Benedictine, I'm a 1990 graduate of B.C. and I say bring back the Benedictine priests to run the school or put coach Cannon or Colonel Owens in charge."
- This is just retarded. Not only did he use the term “drama,” but he called out our beloved alma mater in the LOWEST public forum available. He makes a decent suggestion, but come on, Vox Populi?

Dishonorable Mention:
"In the history of this country, have a president and vice president ever been impeached at the same time?"

Dishonorable Mention:
"I am surprised that a conservative state like Georgia would take the step of taxing the sale of a newspaper. Any connection between the government and the free press is outrageous, even if it is only a few cents on a paper."

Dishonorable Mention:
"What happened to state vehicle inspections? Why do we have all these junkers on the road with cracked windshields and fenders that don't match?"

Dishonorable Mention:
"We might finally get the band shell we voted for 14 years ago? Goodness gracious, who wants to go downtown anymore?"

Stunning Q&A:
Q: "Do you spring clean? What is one organizing or cleaning project that you are eager to accomplish this spring?"
"My husband and I were planning to do our windows inside and out. We had a health issue come up and now we are looking through dirty windows. But we are thankful for greeting the morning through those dirty windows."
- What health issue would cause you to have dirty windows?

Third Runner-up:
"It seems strange that annual test scores never reflect the pages and pages of honor roll students we seem to have here."
- Let’s be honest here, how hard is it to be an honor roll student in a Savannah public school?

Second Runner-up:
"Does the merry go round at Savannah Mall run on gas? They're charging $2.00 for a ride."
- Cough it up, you cheap bastard. Let your kid ride the merry-go-round and if you can’t afford the two bucks, don’t go to the mall.

First Runner-up:
"I am a law abiding citizen who went through all of the procedures to file charges against someone who pulled a knife on me. Two years have gone by and I haven't heard anything from the investigator or the district attorney's office. That is why we continue to have such a crime problem in Savannah."
- The police will get to that after they’re finished with the cases where knives were actually used on people.

And your Gem of the Week:
"In order to stop some of the violence in this town, shut the bars and restaurants down at midnight and send everyone home."
- You shut up right now. Don’t even think about suggesting that the city should step in and change ANYTHING about the alcohol laws in Savannah. If you're scared of violence, stay home. It's this same kind of witch-hunting that caused the Statesboro City Council to do away with drink specials and happy hours last year. Keep the booze out if it.


Happy Friday, folks.

Netflix

I just got Netflix about two weeks ago, and it has been pretty awesome so far. It is really nice in a town where there isn't that much to do. Because of this, I am going to start commenting on some of the movies I see.
The Usual Suspects
I watched this for the first time last night believe it or not. Has a solid performance by Kevin Spacey and a pretty nice twist at the end. I guessed the twist about half way through so it kind of lost a little luster because of that. I rate it 3/5. I would recommend it if you haven't seen it yet especially if it is on HBO or something.
The Bourne Identity/Supremecy
I wathced these this past weekend. Matt Damon isn't as big of a puss as you would think he would be, and the plots aren't half bad. I give it a 2/5 and think that these are Saturday morning hangover movies.
Murderball
This is a documentary on wheelchair rugby. It does a solid job of depicting the player's triumphs on the court as well as their struggles in coping with their disability. There are some great spots of comic relieve in this as well. Rating: 4/5.

The Conservative Daily Show

A clip has leaked on YouTube of the Fox News Channel's version of The Daily Show, entitled The 1/2 Hour News Hour. It is created by Joel Surnow, and one of its writers is Manny Coto, both of whom work on 24. If done correctly, this could be a great show. The clip here is funny here and there, but I noticed a surprising sense of relief watching it. Of course, if you read the comments on the YouTube page, it's a bunch of liberals completely bashing it, because obviously liberals are the only ones who are allowed to use satire.