Swagger.

How Does John Edwards Explain This?

From cafehayek:

In 1970, according to the American Housing Survey (from HUD and the Department of Commerce, then called the Annual Housing Survey, Table A-1, p. 32), 36% of the 67 million households in America had air conditioning, 11% had central air. This is the earliest data available from this survey.

In 2005, the most recent data from the same survey, (Table 2-4, p. 66) 82% of the 15 million households with income below the poverty line had air conditioning, 52% had central air.

Democrats always talk about how the middle class has “eroded” over the last 25 years. They instead clamor for a return to the "good old days" of the 1970s European social model when…no one had air conditioning. Along with the media's backing, they argue the poor have been left behind over the last quarter century. I would draw the opposite conclusion: that the poor have never had it so good.

Snuffy's Lock of the Week: Week 9

Hey ya'll. Snuffy P. Smith here with your Lock of the Week for week 9 of the college football season.

Ohio State (-3.5) at Penn State

Slim Pickens this week. Take the Buckeyes. Awesome defense and efficient offense.

Season Record: 5-3

Upset Alert: Georgia vs. Florida (-8.5)
Why not?

More Local Government Waste

The City of Savannah is awash in taxpayer dollars. It has to be. Why else would the City WASTE and unreported amount of money (Dan Logana) to install radar speed monitors on Bay Street?

Two things really upset me about this. First, anyone who has driven down Bay Street at any time of day or night knows that if you ever do get going over, say, fifteen miles per hour, you will only do so for about twenty feet until you get to the next red light. Second, every vehicle aside from golf carts and farm equipment is equipped with a spedometer. If people ignore their own spedometers, why in the hell would they pay attention to ones posted on lightposts?

If you're trying to come up with a reason as to why the City chose to do this, give up. There is no logic behind it or anything else they do.

Look at You. You're Hungry.

Thoughts and prayers are with legendary Las Vegas crooner and Beetlejuice actor Robert Goulet this morning. Goulet is currently heavily sedated and undergoing a lung transplant. We hope he makes a full recovery.

Still Recovering

Painful loss for Cadet nation last night. Thanks to WTOC for continuing to give us good press though. For some reason this link only works in Internet Explorer so don't use Firefox.

Vox Populi: Gems of the Week

Dishonorable Mention:
"A relative died in August and the airlines wanted $889 to fly round trip from Chattanooga to Savannah even though we told them about the death. Then I see in the paper you can fly to Philadelphia for $79. That doesn't seem like the American way."
- Last minute flights are expensive. Don’t underestimate the immense drawing power of Chatt-town.

Dishonorable Mention:
"The play 'Hairspray' was horrible. We walked out at intermission with a number of people. Doesn't anyone preview these plays before they come to Savannah?"
- Why would anyone pay money to see a story about a dancing fat girl? Go to Bar Bar any weekend night and watch for free.

Awful Joke Award:
"I chuckled when I read of the robbery suspect apprehended in his underwear on Bay Street. It gives a whole new meaning to 'getting caught with your pants down.' Hats, just hats, off to those who serve and protect in Savannah. God bless."
- I hate you so much.

Stupid Question Award:
"Why was gas $2.49 in Columbia, S.C. and $2.75 in Savannah? When are the feds going to investigate this?"
- The difference is due to differing state taxes and/or market conditions, but I’m sure the FBI is all over this one. Douche.

Runner-up:
"Thanks to the officer who went far beyond the line of duty when he came to my aid when my car broke down and also to the officer who found my cell phone when I lost it in Forsyth Park. That is what I like about the South."
- Yeah, I love the fact that when those officers could have been catching murderers, rapists, and crack dealers, they were busy helping you keep your stupid crap together.

And your Gem of the Week:
"To the young man who sat beside me at the performance of 'Hairspray' and received terrible news after turning his cell phone back on, I don't know what happened but you are in my prayers."
- That was a deftly executed, backhanded dig at the guy who turned his phone on during the show. You have an amazing future in politics. As for what happened; his boyfriend probably just realized that he, in fact, does like women after all. This is why he wasn’t at the show in the first place.

Rick Schwarz Voicemail Archive Grab Bag

Sunday, January 7, 2007, 1:32am:

"Patrick...I didn't mean to call you now 'cus I got a bunch of fags around me... buncha Country Day, Calvary, and Savannah Christian faggots...BUT, I'm telling you, I mean goddamn you need to be the first captain of the Irish Hurricans when we get our group together, because I'm telling you, I will do whatever you ask me I promise...and I didn't mean to be a complete asshole by stayin' up here this entire Christmas break, but whatever happens, I'm telling you, whatever you need me to do, I got it. You need an enforcer, I'll be the enforcer I promise. Whoever you don't want in there, I'll take 'em out I promise. But seriously though, you and Leonard, ya'll are by far the best friends I have, I mean that's all I got so...

"You don't have to call me back tonight cuz it's not important BUT...I'm just saying...if you were here tonight I would follow you, and I'd follow you wherever you want me to do (sic), so call me, uh, if you (inaudible), alright because I could seriously beat some ass right now...because I'm all about the BC letter jacket...and just whatever...I like you and Leonard and that's all that really matters so...call me back later, bye."

Snuffy's Lock of the Week: Week 8

Hey. ya'll. Snuffy P. Amith here with your Lock of the Week for week 8 of the college football season.

Louisville (-3.5) at UConn

Now that the pressure is off, Louisville is finally playing like Louisville. This will be the last week you can take advantage of skepticism surrounding the Cardinals. After they handle UConn, lines on Louisville games will jump back up.

Season Record: 5-2

Upset Alert: Florida (-6.5) at Kentucky
This is the obvious upset pick this week. Florida's pass defense has struggled this season. The question is whether or not the Wildcats can "get up" for the second week in a row.

Another Crane Sitter Talked Down

This guy obviously wants attention. And I gave it to him. I sat out on my balcony, ate dinner, drank some vodka and smoked a good cigar. It was a pleasant evening: Helicopters flying around and giant moon-walks were blown up. Ah yes, the joys of living in Atlanta.

The Latest Hillaryism

Add this one to our ongoing list. From the Boston Globe:

Clinton recently floated the idea of issuing a $5,000 bond to each baby born in the United States to help pay for college and a first home, but it immediately inspired Republican ridicule and she quickly said she would not implement the proposal.

She defended that decision yesterday, saying she is focusing on proposals with more political support and she is not formally proposing anything she can't fund without increasing the deficit: "I have a million ideas. The country can't afford them all."

Classic.

A Case Against Socialized Health Care.

This news bit from FoxNews.com gives an excellent example of how privatized health care (medical costs paid by the individual out of pocket, through health care insurance, or employer provided funds) always prevails against socialized health care (national tax revenue used to pay for the citizens' medical treatment.)

Cancer death rates are falling faster than ever in America. Plain and simple. Raw data shows that America, not Russia, are having fewer of it's citizens die from cancer.

"1996, there was just one truly effective drug for colon cancer. Today, there are six more, giving patients a variety of chemotherapy cocktails to try to hold their tumors in check, said Dr. Louis Weiner, medical oncology chief at Philadelphia's Fox Chase Cancer Center and a colorectal cancer specialist."

Question: Why the increase in effective drugs and lower death rates?

Answer: Profit!

Now, the happy go lucky, recycling, peace loving "Progressive" may want to the government to fund every one's medical treatment ranging from the common flu shot, to chemo therapy. These people ignore the fact that the government will not reimburse medical facilities at the proper fair market values. When the medical establishment is paid less, a lower quality product will be produced.

Since the US is still holding to his capitalist ideals, the medical profession is still profit driven. Result, higher quality medicine and reduced death rates for cancer.

"Progressives" will scream, "... but what about poor Jose, sitting on the street corner on Montgomery Crossroads? Who is going to pay for his migraine headache medicine?"

1. His Parents, if Jose is too young to work.
2. Jose, if he is old enough to work.

Savannah Morning News Letter of the Week

Steve Willis of Savannah has brought home another victory in our Letter of the Week.
Enjoy.

America out of step on Iraq

Over 90 percent of the people in Europe and Iraq believe that the United States is in Iraq in order to control the Iraqi and Middle Eastern oil.

They think we want to stay until the oil runs out. In the United States this point of view is almost never heard. Americans almost universally believe that we are in Iraq to subdue terrorism, and that everyone, including the administration, wants to get out as soon as safely possible.

But the European and Iraqi thoughts make a lot more sense. There are no known links between Iraq and 9/11, and there were no ties between Al Qaida and Iraq before the U.S. invasion, and it certainly looks to me that the Bush administration is willing to do or say just about anything to keep us in Iraq.

Does anyone really think anyone would be very interested in the Middle East if there were no oil there? I can't say for sure what is going on, but I don't like the apparent complete unwillingness of the powers that be in America to discuss the opinion held by the vast majority of people throughout the world. I don't like it at all.

STEVE WILLIS

Savannah

Steve’s written to the Savannah Morning News to wake us up again for the real reason for the US’s presence in Iraq. Apparently, over 90% of Europeans (Which ones?) and Iraqis (How’d you survey them?) believe we are in Iraq strictly for oil. Also, that 90% believes we intend to stay there until the oil runs out, which would take a few hundred years. Evidently, Mr. Willis conducted this survey himself. Mr. Willis later shifts gears from 90% of Europe and Iraq to say that “the vast majority of people throughout the world” shares this opinion.

This guy's good.

This letter, and really Mr. Willis’s life can be summed up with the line, “I can’t say for sure what’s going on.” Well, Steve, you may not know what's going on, but we still love reading what you think about it.

Snuffy's Lock of the Week: Week 7

Hey, ya'll. Snuffy P. Smith here with your Lock of the Week for week 7 of the college football season.

Louisville at Cincinnati (-10.5)

Louisville has been one of the most disappointing teams in college football this year. However, the Cards are still potent enough offensively to be able to stay within 10 points, if not upset the Bearcats.

Season Record: 4-2

Upset Alert: Boston College (-13.5) at Notre Dame
The Irish will not force 7 turnovers like they did last week against UCLA, but 3 might be enough to give Our Lady a shot.

The Quotable Connolly

This premiere edition of The Quotable Connolly harkens back to St. Patrick's Day 2004, when Chris unleashed this unforgettable caption on divorced middle-aged white women everywhere in downtown Savannah:

"Hey darlin', I want a wallet-size photo of you and me, right now!"*

*Footnote: If and when Chris ever decided to use this on younger females (those under the age of, say, 17), he would usually make sure to replace the word "darlin'" with "precious."

Quick Quiz

This is a fascinating quiz Boortz put up on his website. I'll post the answers in the comment section.

Who said the following:

1) "We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."

A. Karl Marx
B. Adolph Hitler
C. Joseph Stalin
D. None of the above

2) "It's time for a new beginning, for an end to government of the few, by the few, and for the few...and to replace it with shared responsibility for shared prosperity."

A. Lenin
B. Mussolini
C. Idi Amin
D. None of the Above

3) "(We)...can't just let business as usual go on, and that means something has to be taken away from some people."

A. Nikita Khrushev
B. Jose f Goebbels
C. Boris Yeltsin
D. None of the above

4) "We have to build a political consensus and that requires people to give up a little bit of their own...in order to create this common ground."

A. Mao Tse Dung
B. Hugo Chavez
C. Kim Jong Il
D. None of the above

5) "I certainly think the free-market has failed."

A. Karl Marx
B. Lenin
C. Molotov
D. None of the above

6) "I think it's time to send a clear message to what has become the most profitable sector in (the) entire economy that they are being watched."

A. Pinochet
B. Milosevic
C. Saddam Hussein
D. None of the above

Recap: BC vs. Thomson

BC lost a hard-fought battle with AAA powerhouse Thomson last night. The Bulldogs were much bigger up front and had more athletes, but BC never gave up and managed to drive the ball well all night. Things would have been really interesting had the Cadets not suffered three turnovers in the first quarter and a squib kick returned for a touchdown with 10 seconds left in the half.

Judging from all the sites BC has played in the last 10 years (Northside, Starr's Mill, The Corral, etc.), I'm pretty sure The Brickyard was the all-around best road game venue I've visited since the '98 playoff game at Valdosta. The place, located in the dead center of the town, is not that big, but it gets rowdy and you get the feeling that as soon as the sun sets the entire city shuts down and huddles into the confines of the stadium's brick walls.

I was impressed with the amount of fans we brought, but I get the feeling there will be less interest next week after this loss. This is unfortunate because last night really didn't matter in the first place, as the stakes are much bigger against sub-region opponent Hephzibah. I hope BC sponsors another bus trip and we get as many people as possible up there. Hephzibah has improved just as much as BC has in the past year and it should be a very close game.

I Can Relate

Amid all the fervor surrounding Bush's veto of SCHIP, I've found that I can relate to the plight of those families who can't afford to care for their children.

For years, I've wanted a Corvette Z06. I know I won't be able to afford the payment or the insurance, but I really want one. I know I'm not alone in this. I dare say countless of Americans want Corvettes. This is why I'll be supporting the SBMACP: the Supplemental Buy Me A Corvette Program.

It's so simple. You fill out the form and if you qualify, Uncle Sam will buy you a Corvette. Go ahead and live outside your means! Uncle Sam will pick up the tab!

SavannahNow Letter of the Week

Lately, I've found that reading the letters to the editor is far less irritating and infuriating than doing the Vox Gems, until I read this letter. It comes from Steve Willis of Savannah. Enjoy.

Americans don't like to face facts

What is happening here? There seems to be an almost universal pathological aversion to speaking the obvious truth in America. This administration lies and "disinforms" incessantly.

The war in Iraq is about oil. The Bush Administration planned to go there before 9/11, and never has had any intention of leaving until the oil runs out.

The current set of generals is highly regarded, (but the last crop was fired for not spewing the party line). The tax cuts for the rich have been bad for everyone but the rich, and their bank-accounts are on steroids.

Maybe there is a reason everyone in the world except Americans living in the "red" states believe in global warming, because it is obvious that the world is warming up, fast and furious. If you don't understand evolution, you don't understand science.

The reason medical costs are so high in the United States is that everyone inside the medical world is making exorbitant profit on the backs of everyone outside it (except for the politicians who are getting their cut).

Guns do kill people, and the reason the United States has such a gun-slaughter rate is not only that it is awash in a sea of guns, but no one can even discuss doing anything to control these guns without risking manic, well-funded attacks from the gun lobby.

The American media is owned by billionaires and their poor multimillionaire relatives. They use the media they own to broadcast whatever suits their interest. Their interest is not the same as mine or yours. Why can the truth not be spoken here anymore?

STEVE WILLIS
Savannah

Now, this letter isn't so much of a letter as it is just a series of claims. In his letter, Mr. Willis manages to arm-tackle the war in Iraq, tax cuts, global warming, our healthcare system, gun control, and even media bias. Whatever his point is, he gets across not with supporting facts, but the same piss-and-vinegar attitude that has gotten Steve Willis where he is today.

Tonight, I'll toss back a cold one for good ol' Steve Willis. It's inspiring when a man will stand up and speak on issues he knows absolutely nothing about.

God Bless America.

You Got Listserved 10/4/07

Original post:
How much water does UGA use? Just curious! Does UGA use Athens Clarke County water or it's own? Also, with gas prices and the drought has it been considered to go to a four day work week?
Just curious :-)

One of the responses:
Or dare I say it.... How about canceling home football games or just make them all away. This would save a bunch of water. But what would be the economic impact of this? I guess that one cannot drink money!

Snuffy's Lock of the Week: Week 6

Hey ya'll. Snuffy P. Smith here with your Lock of the Week for week 6 of the college football season.

Wisconsin at Illinois (-2.5)

Although Wisconsin has been skating on thin ice all season, they are clearly the better team. Illinois QB Juice Williams is turnover prone and will self-destruct against Wisconsin. This has "let-down game" written all over it after last week's win over Penn State.

Season Record: 4-1

Upset Alert: NC State at Florida State (-18)
The Wolfpack has played FSU tough the past few years. Neither team has an offense and low-scoring games always favor the underdog.

Too Little, Too Late?

After seven long years, George W. Bush woke up today and decided he's finally going to start acting like a small-government conservative. Get ready for a vicious media blitz from the other side and a fervent battle on Capitol Hill over the next few months. It's going to get nasty.

Free Market Radiohead

Radiohead, who are one of the biggest bands in the world, are releasing their next album in a unique way. They have decided to not sign with a record label and will release the album as a download on their website. The catch? You choose what you want to pay for it. You can pay $10, $7, or even $0 - as the website says: "It's up to you." What do you think of this as a business model? Knowing the general sad shape that the music industry is in, do you like this cutting out of the middleman? Will the people who do pay for it make up for the people who don't?

Keep in mind that there are no production costs for distributing mp3s as opposed to CDs. Also, they are selling an $80 package of the album that includes a bonus CD of b-sides, the vinyl copy of the album, and artwork/lyrics.