ANDY'S PLACE...

My Baby Brother...

2009-11-08T17:31:00.004-06:00

...told me this story this afternoon.

My buddy Chris and his wife were supposed to go to a Halloween Party thrown by one of his friends. As it came close to time to get ready to go, his wife was laying on the couch with a headache...she obviously did not want to go. Chris was a little disappointed, because he had bought a Lone Ranger costume, which he had modeled for her. He had told his wife, Amy, to get a costume, too.

She had dutifully bought one, but had thrown it in the back of the closet without showing it to him (obviously planning to have a headache on Halloween).

Chris said to Amy, "Sweetheart, I know you don't feel good. I'll just go to the party alone. I have to go. Al will be expecting us, and I at least need to make an appearance." So, Chris donned his costume and left for the big party at Al's house.

As Amy thought about it, she realized that she should have gone with Chris. But an even more interesting, and sinister thought came to her mind. She thought, "I wonder what Chris would be like at a party without me?" So, Amy put on her very sexy witch costume (and witch makeup), jumped in the SUV, and headed off to Al's party.

When she arrived, she saw Chris (clad in his Lone Ranger costume) sitting in the corner. He was surrounded by three voluptuous chicks that were obviously flirting with him. And, he was soaking it all in...really soaking it in. So, she decided to break it all up. She approached the corner, and did a double-doozie sex-up, which finally broke the spirit of the other three chicks.

After what could be described as visible porn moves on Amy's part, the two headed out to the SUV, and made mad, passionate love.

After what could be described as a sexual "mini-marathon," Amy gathered herself, and pushed the Lone Ranger out of the car. Then she sped off back home, undressed, and went to sleep.

Several hours later, Chris arrived back home. He found Amy naked, and asleep in bed. As he slipped into bed, Amy roused and said, "Hi fella! Did you have a good time at the Halloween Party?"

Chris replied, "No, not really." Amy was a little hurt, and asked, "Well, why not?"

Chris said, "It was the most boring party I have ever been to. In fact, me, Al, Glenn, and Jeff went back in the bedroom and played cards for hours until everybody left."

Amy now began to get really ticked off, but before she could say anything else, he said, "Yeah, it was a boring party...but that guy that borrowed my costume told us that he had one helluva good time!"

"Cao-ard?"

2009-11-08T12:10:00.001-06:00

Much is likely to be made in the right wing blogosphere over the next few days about the lone Republican that voted for PelosiCare in the US House of Representatives last night. Louisiana Representative Ahn Joseph Cao (LA-2) cast the only "yea" Republican vote to pass this monstrosity.

Now, I am never one to defend a Republican that can so blatantly turn his back on conservative principles, and side with Pelosi/Obama on anything. So, I will not defend Cao's vote. However, I will take this opportunity to play "devil's advocate," and provide some food for thought to our ever expanding group of readers (all the way up to 12 now...yay!)

It seems that Michelle Malkin has already fired at Cao. And that's cool. That's fine. But Michelle asks the question, "Can't the GOP do better?"

The answer to that is, "No, Michelle, the GOP can not do better...at least not in LA-2."

Lemme give y'all readers a reminder of recent history. LA-2 is the only liberal district in Louisiana...and one of the most liberal (and ignorant) in the nation. It is the District that continued to elect William "Cold Cash" Jefferson...even after his federal investigation had been made public. It is the district that would have done so again, had it not been for an act of God.

As Hurricane Gustav approached Louisiana in early September of 2008, Governor Bobby Jindal, under advice of Secretary of State Jay Dardienne, canceled the Congressional Primary elections across the State. LA-2 would vote in Primary Elections on the date of the Presidential election, and then vote in a special general election for Congress one month later.

On Obama's big day in November, Congressman William Jefferson won a massive Democrat primary victory...spurred by huge black turnout (and ACORN shenanigans) in New Orleans. The fact is that one month later, when the general election was held, tens of thousands of Obama voters had forgotten their way to the polls...and multiple other thousands thought Jefferson had already won! Such is the make-up of the voters of LA-2.

On election night, Dr. Ahn Joseph Cao (actually pronounced "Gow") took the seat from Jefferson by a slim margin...less than two thousand votes. The truth is that Cao's election was a fluke. I said as much at a time of great rejoicing among Republicans over winning this seat. Cao is likely a "one term" Congressman.

Now, the "devil's advocate" part of the deal. I have two propositions.

1) Cao had taken the measure of his constituents, and realized that the vast majority support Obamacare.

Knowing this, and as their Representative, he made a vote that he did not want to...at the same time, cutting some deal with BozO to benefit his District.

Or, more likely...

2) Having counted noses, and knowing that this was going to pass, the Republican leadership gave him the green light.

Look, this seat is going to be almost impossible to hang on to in 2010. The only chance Cao has of going past one term is to walk the tight-rope. Cao MUST seem Obama-friendly enough, or else!

The Republican leadership knows this. I have no special knowledge of the workings of the Republican leadership. But, it would not surprise me if they released Cao to cut his best deal, knowing that down the road on other issues he can be counted on. Taxes, Energy, Social policy favorites, etc.

Just some food to chew on as you hear Cao impaled in the days and weeks to come.

Sunday Morning Quarterback...(Week 10)

2009-11-08T09:20:00.002-06:00

Well kiddies, it was a beautiful day for football across the nation yesterday. I think. But, I really didn't notice.

As you probably know by now, my beloved LSU Tigers went down in defeat to St. Nick, & his elephants. Sigh. But, I choose to find the needle in the haystack, er, the diamond in the dookie.

Saturday's games convinced me of one thing. LSU is the 4th best team in college football. Sure, by falling to 7-2, we will likely drop out of the top 10, and probably miss a BCS Bowl. But, should my Tigers "win out," I believe that we will be the only two-loss team in the nation whose losses came against #1 ranked teams (either currently, or previously in the season).

We will be the only two loss team to lose to "undefeateds." Certainly, I was disappointed in the play of my Tigers. Hey, when you go into Tuscaloosa, facing an elite team like 'Bama, you had better bring your A+ game. It was not so on Saturday. The homers are all over the LSU blogs whining about the "missed calls," and the"cheap shots," and "if we'd have had Jefferson in there..." yada yada yada...

Shut up! It's FOOTBALL! In the course of 12 games, crap is gonna happen. Crap is gonna happen to you...and to your opponent. (think Georgia & excessive celebration). It was a whipping, and I give my kudos to 'Bama. They certainly are one of the three best teams in the nation.

I take consolation in the fact that we lost to 'Bama. Heck, it's not like we lost to Northwestern, or Navy, or Nebraska, or Stanford, or Ohio State...or almost lost to Connecticut, or almost lost to Arizona State, or had to beat Wake Forest in OT...

Heck, we're talking 'Bama...in their house...injured. I guaran-dang-tee ya' that healthy, on a neutral field, we beat anybody in the country, except for those top three teams. Any poll that emerges showing TCU, or Boise, or Cincinnati, or USC, or Georgia Tech, ahead of LSU is worthless on its face.

Alas, that ain't how it will likely shake out. But hey! It's FOOTBALL!

It was a good Saturday. Any Saturday when Notre Dame, South Carolina, and Penn State all lose...well, it takes the edge off...

So, we'll see how it shakes. I guess now Cincinnati (who plays NOBODY) will be ranked 4th, followed by TCU (who plays a much tougher schedule). I guess I'll have to live with that. But, if USC comes in ranked ahead of my Tigers...I will throw a shoe...

A good rule of thumb for rankings is this: The third best team in the SEC is probably the third best team in the nation. But I'm calling Texas ahead of us anyhow.

Let me wrap up my rambling. I don't know what happened to my Slippery Rock "Rocks" this season. We were doing so good...then just hit the skids. The season ended yesterday on the road against East Stroudsburg with a 54-28 loss. Well, there's always next year.

And, #5 ranked William & Mary blanked Towson 31-0 to go to 8-1 on the season. Go Tribe!

Y'all have a great Sunday. Go forth and do good works. Don't cuss at nobody. Pet your dog, and kiss your wife...or somebody...just not somebody else's wife...

Saturday Morning Chuckle...

2009-11-07T07:27:00.002-06:00

One day a large group of blondes met in New York to prove to the world that blondes aren't dumb.

They begged: "Ask any of us any question, and we will show you that we're not dumb."

The group caught the attention of a passer by, who volunteered to ask them some questions. He climbed up on a car and randomly picked a blonde out of the crowd.

She got up on the car too and the man asked: "What is the first month of the year?"

The blonde responded: "November?"

"Nope," said the man. At this point the crowd began to chant, "Give her another chance, give her another chance."

So the man asked: "What is the capital of the U.S.A ?"

The blonde responded: "Paris?"

So the crowd began chanting again: "Give her another chance, give her another chance."

The man said: "Okay, but this is the last one. What is one plus one?"

The blonde replied: "Two?"

So the crowd began chanting: “Give her another chance, Give her another chance."

Nyuk! Layers Of Editorial Oversight...

2009-11-06T15:27:00.003-06:00

While there certainly is nothing funny about the terrorist attack on Fort Hood soldiers yesterday...

Curtis Stone, a blogger that I read, has found some humor in the news coverage of the event.

Sure, anyone with a lick of sense realizes that the media is scared spitless to come out and call this a jihadist attack on the US (which is not "funny" at all). But, Curtis (a retired CPO) has picked a peach from that right-wing, not "really a news organization," FOX. Go read it!

There Are Only Two College Football Games That Matter This Weekend...

2009-11-06T13:22:00.002-06:00

Interestingly, they both involve Louisiana teams.

The first is tonight, as Louisiana Tech takes on Boise State at home in Ruston. This game is extremely important for one reason. While it is not likely that LA Tech will upset Boise, it could happen. Trust me, the BCS homers are praying for an upset. Tech plays well in front of the home folks, and will need their best performance in several years to knock off the Broncos.

A Tech win (again, highly unlikely) will solve a big problem for the BCS.

The only other important game is my beloved LSU Tigers, taking on the worthless, stinkin', toe-sniffin' Tide in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. #9 LSU has improved almost weekly, and #3 'Bama seems to be hit with a three-week flu or something. My Tigers have struggled offensively, but are finally working the bugs out on that side of the ball. I say we score 24 offensively, and maybe 7 on the defensive side.

Our defense is built specifically for teams like 'Bama. I say we hold them to 13, and humiliate St. Nick & his baby elephants at home.

Those are the only games that matter. I do not know how badly Florida will flush the Commodes of Vandy. Nor, do I know how badly Texas will beat Central Florida. The answer to those two questions is the same...as bad as they want to.

Even though I look for #4 Iowa to beat the Mildcats of Northwestern, it would not surprise me if they are upset. This is the time of the season when the really great teams prove it. I'm not convinced that Iowa is...and they are ripe for an upset. But I'm not calling it.

So, Andy's crack research staff, and crystal ball only calls for one "upset" this weekend. LSU 24 - 'Bama 13. But truthfully, judging from the last 3 weeks, it might not really be an upset at all.

Well look...y'all enjoy the games. Check out my LA Tech Bulldogs (the only college that would accept me)...tonight at 7:00 on ESPN2.

Fort Hood Horror...

2009-11-06T12:29:00.004-06:00

Okay...if you tuned in to read what Andy thinks about the demonic Muslim that brutally murdered 13 soldiers, and wounded dozens of others. Here it is. He's an Islamic P.O.S. that should face the firing squad.

The firing squad should be made up from volunteers (hopefully chosen from the Army buddies of the dead & wounded). But this should be no regular firing squad. No, instead of firing in unison, each should have their turn...yes, a "turn."

Maybe you could like, "draw names." But instead of drawing a "name," each soldier would draw a particular body part. Right foot, left knee, left hand, right shoulder, groin, gut, left hip, etc. And the lucky soldier (the one who draws "brain") would be given the honor of setting the rotation of shots before he finishes the bastard off.

As each soldier fires (setting his own pace...waiting until the full effect of the last shot has set in on the swine), he/or she will shout, "Allahu Akbar!"

I started to put a photo of the worthless piece of dog crap on this post, but decided not to, because he makes me vomit...

I have read some good pieces on this today at some of my favorite blogs.

Rocky, over at Mitchieville

CosmicConservative

Patrick Conlon

Kill the bastard! Put every Muslim in the military under heavy scrutiny. Even though this piece was written 6 1/2 years ago, Michelle Malkin nailed it to the wall. You would think we would have learned something by now.

I commented somewhere this morning, that as a father of two US Servicemen, I'd rather see them serve next to a gay patriot (openly gay), than a straight Muslim. Their religion is demonic, and that devil drives them. They. Can. Not. Be. Trusted. Period.

Selling The Soap...

2009-11-05T14:10:00.001-06:00

Today in Washington, DC, hundreds...no, thousands...no, tens of thousands...no, hundreds of thousands...no, bazillions of Americans are converging to look their Congressperson straight in the eye, and tell them to vote "NO" on Obama/Pelosi/Reid Care.

Those that mustered at a moment's notice to descend on Washington today will most likely just number in the "tens of thousands." But I threw in the "bazillions" deal because I haven't used it in a while.

The focus of this effort (the brainchild of Washington's "other Michele") is obviously aimed at those "Blue Dog Democrats" that represent conservative Districts...and would really like to hang on to their seats. Ha Ha Ha! "Hang on to their seats!" Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! Aaaaaaaahhhhhh....I just kill me...

The Tea Party movement has bred some of the best signs, made up by regular old concerned American citizens. I photographed, and posted some from our local Shreveport/Bossier City Tea Party back in April. I mean, they're way better than the Code Pink "No More War" junk.

I found this one somewhere on the web today, direct from today's convergence on Capitol Hill. I like it. This is a good way to sell.

And, I have been holding on to another photo forever. It is a bad sign. Well, the sign is not bad...it's just the presentation of it. This is a bad way to sell your product. So, we must always be careful to present our product (limited government, fiscal responsibility, etc.) with the best possible face. We do not want to turn off those that might be swayed by giving a less than civil, attractive presentation.

Actually, I just wrote this whole post to finally use this photo. I feel good now. I can delete the sucker, and get this image out of my mind...and put it where it belongs. The recycle bin. But I really don't want it recycled. I want it burned, then its' ashes buried several thousand feet below ground.

I mean, you talk about a "buzz kill!" Imagine that you are a housewife, or a professional woman, or female at all...looking to get all hot and bothered with a good fantasy story about junk that never really happens in your life...and you come across this!

So, the lesson is: Well, I'm not really sure what the lesson is. But, you know what I mean. Sure you do. Maybe. Probably not...

Update on my Airman!

2009-11-05T08:21:00.004-06:00

Hey y'all! Hugs, kisses, yada yada yada...

I heard from my Airman this morning. He made it safe and sound to Fairchild AFB, in Spokane, WA. He starts this school today. From what I read about it, it sounds much more interesting than the last two schools...at least a lot different.

I'm sure he'll enjoy it. He's ready to do something different for a little while. Looks like he'll be finished in time to get home for Christmas. He has to report at Offutt in January. So, fingers crossed.

Thanks for all y'all's prayers for the man. Have a fabulous Thursday, would ya'?

Wayman...

2009-11-04T06:22:00.006-06:00

Even if you don't like country music, you will want to watch this video. Toby Keith honors his old buddy, Wayman Tisdale.

Update, Tobybear tells me that the sax player is Dave Koz.

You have to watch an ad first, but it's worth it. Trust me.

BTW, I stole this from Staci, our resident expert on all things Okie...

Salute! (again)

2009-11-04T06:10:00.001-06:00

My Congressman, Dr. John Fleming -

SALUTE!

2009-11-03T08:40:00.003-06:00

Salute the Brit with me, would ya'? Rest well, "Oz."

Two More From The Road...

2009-11-02T06:43:00.006-06:00

WAKE UP!!!! GET UP!!!! It's Monday morning...back to real life, kids!

I had two pictures left from my big trip to San Angelo, TX that I really didn't know what to do with. So, instead of just deleting them, I decided to bless y'all with 'em.

When we were in San Angelo, we were killing time between lunch & a movie. My son wanted to run to a WalMart to look around. He said, "You know Dad, WalMart has all kind of things you didn't even know you couldn't live without until you go in there and see them."

He was right. As we were browsing, I realized that this WalMart is just like my WalMart.

It just goes to show you that a WalMart is a WalMart, is a WalMart, is a WalMart. The only difference is that this gal would be riding around on one of those electric shopping carts if she was at my WalMart.

On the way back home, youngest son's head was really stopped up. We had run out of decongestant, and needed to find a store. I saw a sign that said, "Winters 10 miles." So, I planned to stop in Winters. It's a little prairie town between San Angelo & Abilene.

We saw a little IGA grocery store, and stopped. Right next door to the IGA is the water tower. I think these folks in Winters came up with a good name for their high school football team.

Heh! I'll bet they could pull a "white out" on Penn State some seasons. It's pretty cute...the town has a computer page. On the page they state, "Winters - Where there were Blizzards before Dairy Queens!"

I love small towns.

Now, get to work! And, y'all have a productive, and blessed Monday.

Dede clears the air...

2009-11-01T15:08:00.002-06:00

It is being reported this afternoon that the former Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava has endorsed the Democrat, Bill Owens, over the Conservative Party Candidate (also a Republican), Dan Hoffman, in the race to fill the House Seat from the 23rd Congressional District of New York.

I, for one, say, "Good on ya' Dede!" If you have been following this special election at all, you will know that the conservative wing of the Republican party has painted Dede Scozzafava (hereafter referred to as "Dede," because "Scozzafava" is hard to type) as nothing more than a Democrat with an (R) next to her name on the ballot.

I have listened to both camps in the Republican Party as they made their cases. And honestly, I was not sure if Dede was the lib that she was being portrayed as. Well, now Dede has cleared that all up. Knowing that she had no chance of winning after Hoffman's late surge, she withdrew from the race...and has now thrown her support to a truly, openly, liberal Democrat.

I commend her for that. She has proven the right wing of the Republican Party to be spot-on in their assessment of her. When any Republican endorses a Democrat, it tells me immediately that they truly didn't belong in the party to begin with, or are too easily fooled to be of any value to advancing Republican values. (We're looking at you Colin Powell! Chris Buckley!)

I am not a "Republican" myself. But I'm glad for them that their persistence has flushed out yet another "weak-sister." These are perilous times. These are no times for the faint of heart, or compromising Representatives. I've always said, "If you're gonna be one, well then be one, dangit!"

Dede obviously was not. I give her a standing O for finally coming out of her liberal closet!

Am I becoming an old fart???

2009-11-01T12:35:00.004-06:00

Hey, I know it's not funny anymore to say, "Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things." But I said it anyway...so there!

At 50 years of age, I have discovered that there are things that are really starting to bug me. And it seems that they are all "small" things. I wonder if I'm becoming an old fart. I've always looked at old farts that get aggravated over nothing as "comical." It's like, "Hey! That old fart has got too much time on his hands...he needs to get a life, etc."

But, little things have really started to bug me. Sure enough, the "big things" in life don't bother me nearly as much as they once did. Certainly, I have become much more pragmatic, and much less disturbed by the big junk as I've drawn closer to the dirt nap. But I find myself agitated sometimes.

Case in point: The local weather forecast on the late news! We have three local television stations that give the Weather Report. I am assuming from what I have observed that ALL TELEVISION WEATHERMEN (or weather chicks) go to the same school. Because my source of aggravation seems to be uniform...if not universal!

It goes something like this:

The weather guy/gal stands in front of a map of the area. In my case, it's what we call the "Ark-La-Tex." And on that map, you will see the names of cities and towns. Next to those towns, there will be a number that signifies the current temperature in said city, or town. You know, because there is a huge header that reads, "Current Temperatures."

Now, is that not sufficient? I can look at that and know that it is 53 degrees in Bossier City. But Nooooooooooo!

The weather man/gal launches in to, "It's a quiet night across the Ark-La-Tex after a rough Friday. Currently, it's 53 degrees at the Airport, 53 downtown, 53 at Barksdale, 53 in Minden, 54 in Longview, 53 in Marshall, 53 in Texarkana, 53 in Ashdown, 53 in Hope, 53 in Magnolia, 52 in Springhill, 55 in Natchitoches, and checking in from Cullen, our 'weather watcher,' Cletus McNair reports in at 53."

This drones on and on for an eternity (or at least two minutes), as the weather guy/gal basically says, "It's 53!"

Would it not be a more efficient use of time and energy for the weather man/chick to say, "Hey, it's calm tonight. It's 53 degrees, except where it's really cold at 52, and way as hot as hell at 55!" ??? Wouldn't it? I'm asking ya', WOULDN'T IT???? This has really started to bug me.

Oh man...I am an old fart.

Men and women are different...

2009-11-01T08:41:00.004-06:00

Saturday morning, I had to run up to the Kroger. They had 2 liter Diet Cokes on sale for 75 cents, and Cheez-Its for 1 buck. I was wearing my ratty old gray T-shirt & hadn't shaved in a couple of days. I was just gonna run in real quick, so I just wore my house shoes.

Now, they aren't like pink, fuzzy house shoes. They're nice...some kind of plastic, I think...and they can pass for loafers.

When I walked back in the house carrying my purchases, The Mrs. confronted me. Now, you gotta understand...she's a Southern gal. Southern gals do not leave the house without "putting on their face." Heck, they don't even mow the grass without the proper make-up.

The Mrs.: Andy, did you go to Kroger looking like that?

Me: What???

The Mrs.: Look at you! You look like you just crawled out from underneath something.

Me: Sweetheart, have you ever been to Kroger?...On a Saturday morning? Heck, one big fat chick in yellow stretch pants thought I was the manager!

Made The Mrs. laugh...my goal for the day was accomplished.

Sunday Morning Quarterback...(week 9)

2009-11-01T06:55:00.003-06:00

Be of good cheer, my friends! Dance around with great joy as you drink your first cup of WalMart Great Value Coffee!

It matters not whether you are a GA Bulldog fan, or an Okie Pokie, or even a Vandy Commode! Sure, your team got thrashed...but join with all us winners in celebration of Oregon's crushin', mashin', maulin', slappin', trouncin' of the Rubbers of USC!

There is very little that can console the true blue homer when their team tallies an L. But, the fact that the highly over-rated, useless, worthless bunch from California got spanked should certainly take the edge off. We're talking a loss of Biblical proportions here, folks!

Take a look at these stats. 613 total yards of offense by the Ducks...almost 400 on the ground!
Heck, the only stat that the Rubbers lead in was Kick Return yards...but then, they had A LOT MORE opportunities, because their defense sucks!

It was a good day. I went to sleep smiling, and woke up smiling. I'm pretty sure this smile is at least semi-permanent (whatever that means).

Folks, this is the time of the season that the really good teams begin to prove it. And, we certainly saw that yesterday. I'll admit great surprise at the performances of Texas, and Florida. They were not out there against chumps...but both played like men among boys.

My beloved LSU Tigers had the week off. The Tulane game has become like a "bye" week. My Tigers only scored 42 points. Tulane did not score, we did yield 26 yards rushing to the mighty Green Tinkle. I'm pretty sure that our poor performance against Tulane was because we were looking past them to next week's showdown with 'Bama. We hate Alabama! This week is their turn to be the object of our hatred...and we will certainly gin up all the hatred we can bear to harbor in our souls.

The cream is definitely rising to the top in College Football now. I guess the only two questions yet to be answered are whether 'Bama & Iowa deserve top-notch status. That question will be answered for 'Bama by this time next week. We may not be sure about Iowa for a couple of weeks.

The Hawkeye's last real test (if you can call any Little 10 game a "test") will come two weeks from now in Columbus against OSU. I mean, they're just the Buckeyes, but they do take pride in their mediocre conference, and I'm sure would love to redeem themselves before the home folks.

It's getting fun now...

And, to wrap it all up:

The fifth-ranked William and Mary Tribe established a school record by allowing -46 rushing yards and junior running back Courtland Marriner rushed for three touchdowns as the Tribe earned a 39-14 victory at Rhode Island on Saturday.

And, "The Rock," of Slippery Rock U. got back on track with a 47-6 win over Lock Haven, snapping a 3 game losing streak. I'll admit to y'all, I'm a pretty good fan of college football...but, I did not know that Lock Haven was that bad. I really didn't.

Halloween, 1959...

2009-10-31T14:25:00.011-05:00

As a life-long LSU homer, I can not let the 50th anniversary of "The Halloween Run" pass without making note of it.

I have before chronicled the ups and downs in the life of Billy Cannon. (You will want to go back and hit that link I just left...but most of the links don't work now...danged internet!).

Billy ran his way into the history books of College Football on Halloween Night, 1959. My Daddy & Granddaddy were in Death Valley that night to witness the whole thing. Even though I was already almost two months old...they didn't take me with 'em. Sigh.

The only video I can find is on The Facebook. Here is where that video is at! It seems that LSU is planning to honor Billy tonight before stomping the living crud out of Tulane.

As I said, I can't let this anniversary pass without acknowledging Billy, redemption, and "The Run."

Halloween...gone to the dogs!

2009-10-31T10:00:00.000-05:00

When we were in San Angelo, TX last week, we had some time to kill while waiting for dinner. The restaurant was in a shopping center with a large PetSmart store. Now, I had never been to a PetSmart store before, so I decided to wander on over and check it out.

It just so happens that the were running the big "Halloween Canine Costume Competition" at the San Angelo PetSmart.

Since this is probably the only day I could possibly have need for these photos, I figured I'd put 'em up on the computer.

This ain't all that great a costume, but she reminded me of my faithful black lab, Midnight. You know...the smartest, most territorial animal that ever lived. You know...the one that hated black folks & Jehovah's Witnesses. Yeah, her!

These were pretty cute! I don't know what the pug is dressed up as, but the basset looks pretty tasty. Actually, that's kinda cruel. Somebody call the PETArds!

Another hot dog, and a jackwolantern! Pretty cute.

These were just some ugly animals here. The costumes didn't make 'em any prettier.

This wasn't much of a costume, but the animal was just so stinkin' cute! I think it's a dog...only smaller.

Now, I did not have time to stick around for the judging. But if I had, I'd have voted for this one:

Heh! This ain't Kansas, Dorothy! Oh man, did we laugh.

I'm sure that this is the least valuable blog post that you will read today. But I needed to clean out some photos. Y'all have a good old frightening evening!

The first things I thought about when I woke up this Saturday morning...

2009-10-31T07:52:00.005-05:00

1) Thank you Lord! Thank you for the good, long night's sleep, and for the sun shining through my window (finally).

2) Cell phones have really changed the world. My little future daughter-in-law left town yesterday for the weekend. I told her, "call me when you get there." She did. Before cell phones, I would have made her tell me the name of the hotel she is staying, the room number, etc. so that I could contact her in an emergency. I don't even know where she's staying. Heck, I don't know for sure that she's in San Antonio. I mean, I know she is, because she's a truthful person...but...well, you know what I mean.

3) Gotta put the flag out, now that the deluge has passed on to points east.

4) I am not making no danged picks on the Saturday games. Because if I pick Georgia, Okie State, and Oregon...I'll surely jinx 'em. I'm just gonna enjoy the games today...no pressure.

5) I'll have to listen to LSU beat the living snot out of Tulane on the radio. No TV when we play the Green Tinkle anymore. (Actually, LSU has terminated the contract with Tulane after about 100 years). This will be the 98th meeting between the two teams, and LSU has won 17 in a row. I can see why it's not on TV.

6) The Mrs. wants to rent some scarry (does scary have two "r's," or one?) movies to watch tonight, while we hide out from the haints! I do not like me no halloweems! I hope she enjoys her movies, as I will be otherwise occupied with pulling for the boys dressed up like cowboys, and ducks.

7) Hmmm...I can see something out of the corner of my eye on the side of my nose. It's crusted blood...wait a minute, lemme go see.............Dangit! The Mrs. must have scratched me with a fingernail last night. ;)

8) Let's see...computer letters...spam, spam, Nigerian Princess, spam, spam, Nigerian Princess, spam, British lottery, spam, spam, prayer request...oh, here's one from Walt..."Obama Jokes"

Bwahahahahahahaha! He's right, the jokes are just average...but the pace car is hilarious!

Obama Jokes

Q: Why does Barack Obama oppose the Second Amendment?
A: It stands between him and the First.

Q: What's the difference between Rahm Emanuel and a carp?
A: One is a scum sucking bottom feeder and the other is a fish.

Q: What's the difference between Greta Van Susteren and Barack Obama?
A: Greta only talks out of one side of her mouth.

Q: What does Barack Obama call lunch with a convicted felon?
A: A fund raiser.

Q: What's the difference between Obama's cabinet and a penitentiary?
A: One's full of tax evaders, blackmailers and threats to society. The other is for housing convicts.

Q: What's the difference between a large pizza and the typical Obama backer?
A: The pizza can feed a family of four.

Q: If Pelosi and Obama were in a boat and it started to sink, who would be saved?
A: America !

Q: What's the difference between Obama and Hitler?
A: Hitler wrote his own book.

Q: What's another difference between Obama and Hitler?
A: Hitler actually managed to get the Olympics to come to his country.

Q: Why doesn't Obama pray?
A: It's impossible to read the teleprompter with your eyes closed.

Understanding TV News Acronyms

NBC: New Barack Channel
ABC: Another Barack Channel
MSNBC: My Seriously New Barack Channel
CBS: Continuous Barack Show
FOX: Flagrant Obama Xenophobes

Well, y'all have a good day...enjoy the games! Go Pokies! Go Ducks! Go Dawgs!

A little more on the expansion of Congress...

2009-10-30T10:22:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, I mentioned that Congressman Alcee Hastings has introduced legislation that would expand the number of US Representatives. In the comments, I was directed by Jeff Quidam to some interesting material.

One is a piece that he has written concerning "Freedom and Legislative District Sizes." The other is an opinion piece by Walter E. Williams, published in the Washington Times a little over a year ago, entitled "Political Monopoly Power."

Now, I am not familiar with Mr. Quidam, but found his writing insightful, and informative. However, I am familiar with Walter Williams. I guess you could say that I am a "fan" of Dr. Williams. Not only is he a fellow Libertarian...he's also just dang funny! He has a brilliant economic & political mind, and loves liberty with every scrawny bone in his body.

In Williams' piece, he references the research done by Mr. Quidam. I highly recommend that you hit those links above. Good food for thought...

So, I'm pondering all of this. Let us say that in order to restore truly representative government, break the stranglehold of lobbyists, and destroy the entrenched powers...that we do enlarge Congress.

Let's not go with the 1 for every 30,000 citizens...let's double that. Heck, let's triple it! Let's say that we are going to have one Rep. for every 90,000 people. I think that's doable in this day and age of easy transportation, good communications, e-mails, twitters, etc. One Rep. should be able to take the pulse of 90,000 people, and not be overburdened.

My Congressional Distrct (LA-4), according to the 2000 census has a population 638,500. This would mean that instead of having 1, that population would be represented by 7 members of Congress. Considering the US population of 300,000,000, that would mean a US House of Representatives numbering 3,333.33 (we'll give Pelosi's district that 1/3 of a vote).

When you begin to let your mind consider such a thing...it don't sound half bad. 1667 votes would be required to pass anything. Now, that's a lot of cats to herd for any lobbyist. That's a lot of favors to hand out by a Speaker, or Whip (majority, or minority) to control their members. Williams makes the point that "other parties" become locked out of any real power by the small number of House Seats.

I can see this! I believe for certain that under an expanded plan like this, Libertarians, Conservatives, Greens, and even Communists would be represented (I mean the Communist Party USA, not the Democrats). My Congressional Distrct (again, LA-4) is a very conservative one. In my 50 years, it has always been represented by either an old-time conservative Democrat, or a very conservative Republican. Therefore, all those less than conservative (or liberals) that live in the District really have no representation of their ideologies when it comes to a floor vote.

Conversely, conservatives in lefty Districts are also locked out.

So, how would it work? Would all 3,333.3 Reps have to haul their cookies up to DC? Not necessarily. In this amazing time that we live, I do not see why it would be necessary at all. Y'all ever heard of electronic balloting & "Gotomeeting.com?" In fact, a Congressman would probably be a better representative if you could catch him at the grocery store, or at church, or the high school ball game...even when Congress is in session. And, they would be less likely to get caught up in the muck of DC, yada yada yada.

It would certainly restrict what we have now...too much power in the hands of the few.

I'm pondering all of it. Williams makes the point that it's not likely to happen. But I had some time on my hands to think on it. So, I did.

Heads Up!!!

2009-10-30T09:38:00.003-05:00

To all my friends in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, ...really anywhere east of the Big Muddy... Y'all get ready for a whopper!

This is a tough storm that's headed your way. Get your provisions laid in, your generators & chainsaws gassed up, or get to high ground if your prone to flood.

If y'all just get half of what we've had the last 24 hours in NW Louisiana, you ain't gonna like it.

This has been a message in the public interest....Because I love y'all...

"Rough Night" at Andy's Place...

2009-10-29T20:05:00.004-05:00

Well, it's really a rough night all over Northwest Louisiana. About noon today, all weather hades broke loose, and we've been dodging tornadoes, high winds, and experiencing torrential downpours.

We had already set an all-time record for October rainfall. But, we're looking for an additional 5 to 8 inches of rain tonight through tomorrow.

If you have ever been to downtown Shreveport, you will no doubt remember the impressive sight of the First United Methodist Church that sits at the end of Texas Street. It is a beautiful, historic building.

Well, as of about 1:30 this afternoon, this is it...

That's not Photoshopped. The steeple is GONE! Evidently, a small tornado ripped through the west side of downtown, dumping the historic steeple directly on top of a white Lexus...with somebody sitting inside of it.

KSLA is reporting that the guy in the car (miraculously) is doing well at LSU Medical Center, and expected to recover.

There have been several tornadoes to the north, and east of Shreveport...but no deaths reported, thankfully.

The rain continues to fall by the bucket-loads. As a Louisiana boy, I've seen some frog-stranglers. But I'm pretty sure there ain't no frogs left to strangle. The underpasses & streets are all flooded...and we've got the REAL rain yet to come.

Our street has water higher than I've ever seen it. And I've seen it pretty danged high before. I'm watching as monster trucks barely make it down the street, and low-profile cars just take a look, and say, "to heck with all this"...then turn around and head back somewhere else.

Y'all breathe a little prayer out for my future daughter-in-law, would ya'? She is stuck at work way out in SE Shreveport (which got hit pretty bad, too). She lives right next door to me, and I worry about her something awful. I talked to her a few minutes ago, and she gets off work in a couple of hours. I told her not to MOVE until she talks to me, and that I'd keep abreast of road closures, street flooding, etc. I'm worried about her.

Oh crap...the rain had slowed up, but shazzzaaaaaaaam! Here she comes again... Oh man...it's gonna be a long night at Andy's Place.

Cliff Lee got 'tude!

2009-10-29T17:24:00.003-05:00

If you missed Cliff Lee's "schooling" of The stinkin' New York Yankees last night, you missed a real treat. This guy was cooler than the other side of the pillow.

Very little that I watch during a baseball game makes me laugh. But when Lee caught Damon's pop-up on the mound, I almost howled!

What we need in Washington is more politicians!

2009-10-29T15:55:00.004-05:00

Florida Representative Alcee Hastings (one of the stupidest, crookedest, most useless beings to ever draw a breath) has proposed legislation in Congress that would increase the number of members of the House of Representatives...perhaps by hundreds.

Now, I have never agreed with Alcee Hastings on anything that I can remember. But, being the open-minded, thoughtful genius that I am...I'm always willing to listen to ideas (even if they are proposed by a moron). And as moronic as Alcee is, this proposal piqued my interest.

Hastings lays out the case that since the size of the House of Representatives was permanently fixed, the population of the US has tripled, thus providing individuals less, and less access to our Congressional Representatives. It's a valid argument.

I note in the comments that someone pushing the idea has provided a link to "Thirty-Thousand.org." This group has some interesting figures, and arguments for expansion of The House. I'd encourage you to look at it.

I would almost be willing to buy in on this hook, line, and sinker...and support it...on a couple of conditions.

1) The Congressional Budget must not increase. Current Congressmen would share their total budget with all of the new Representatives. If it means a 40% cut in pay, and staff...so be it! After all, if they are representing fewer people, they can do with less staff & pay.

The Congressional budget (and salaries) may only increase along with the annual rate of inflation.

2) Alongside the expansion of Congress, a 6-term limit must be imposed on members. 12 years is long enough to gain seniority, and push issues that are dear to the heart of the Rep. But it's not long enough to make a whore out of an otherwise decent person.

We already have probably 350 political hos in da' House! We do not need a couple hundred more. Limiting terms would likely discourage many truly greedy & self-serving jerks from seeking office at the outset. Ya' know...if it's not going to be a life-long job like most Congressional seats become, then why go to the trouble?

I don't know. Chew on that, and tell me what you think. Or not...

It's an interesting idea...I'm sure Hastings didn't come up with it on his own...the moron...