Volume 1 Issue 17

December 5, 2002

Let It Snow!

The Strom Thurmond 100th Birthday Spectacular!!!

Well, so it did in fact snow, how about that! 7 glorious inches of the white stuff at last count, and even my old alma matter AU closed! Of course, it is somewhat annoying that us federal workers had to come in today, considering you had the police on the TV telling people not to go out, really someone should do some coordination there. Actually, what pisses me off the most is this whole "liberal leave" thing the federal government has. Someone from OPM (Office of Personnel Management, they decide if the gov't is open or closed) was on the radio saying it was important to open to do the "people's business." 3 questions later, he said his guess was that over 50% of employees would take leave today (in my office it was 70%, only 3 of us showed up). So with all these people missing, is the "people's business" really being done? I wish they would just say it as it is, look, making employees take a leave day means that the government doesn't have to pay for it! It's all about the money...fortunately I was able to come in late, and when I finally left home around 11:30, it was pretty easy going for the bus and Metro, it's actually worse downtown because the sidewalks were cleared, and now are sheets of ice instead of snow. Anyway, whatever you did today, whether you're a federal worker at work like me or relaxing at home, hope you enjoyed the snow! And for those of you who think DC is wintry, here's your FACT OF THE DAY. Only 10 storms in recorded history (1875-present) have dumped 12 inches of snow or more on DC. In Philadelphia, they've had at least 25 storms of that magnitude. Even in 1996, generally regarded as the largest snowstorm of the past 15 years, DC only got 17.1", while Philadelphia got 31". And that's only 125 miles! So remember, if you don't like snow, it can always be worse :)

Well, now it's time for the big event....

THE STROM THURMOND 100th BIRTHDAY SPECTACULAR!!!!

Yes, folks that's right, 100 years ago today, Strom Thurmond was born. The man who would later participate in the D-Day invasion, become Governor of South Carolina, run for President, and become the longest serving Senator in United States history (and only one elected in a write-in campaign) has reached the centennial mark. To celebrate, some links to the hundreds of stories out there about him today. Over the next few days we'll have some follow ups, such as the stories of the parties today and this evening in DC and SC, as well as the christening of the new C-17 "Spirit of Strom Thrumond" Air Force plane later this week.

To give some perspective, on this day 100 years ago...The US Senate approved Oklahoma's admission to the Union, and the Vatican convened a meeting on the petition of canonization for Joan of Arc.

Who else was born in 1902? Charles Lindbergh, Richard Daley (the first one), and Thomas Dewey among others...

Oh, Strom Thurmond...is old enough to be Bob Dole's father.

He has been a Senator for 1/5 of the time the United States has been in existence, and has been alive for almost 1/2 the time the nation has existed. He is the only politician in office today that at one point had Civil War veterans voting for him.

Strom Quote(s) of the day: "All of them" - when asked how many Presidential Inauguration's he had attended
"I love all of you...especially your wives." - In farewell speech in the Senate, November 2002

First, here's the front page of today's Columbia, SC The State, South Carolina's largest newspaper [Adobe required] -
http://www.thestateonline.com/pdf/strompage.pdf

Does Strom have that Kennedy "vigah"? -
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/4669786.htm

Here's a background on his rise to political stardom as a GI running for Governor, and then for President as a Dixiecrat. (I like the line here about his gubernatorial election about him winning the primary: "This was before the two party system in South Carolina, so as winner of the Democratic Primary he became Governor." Wow...the times they are a 'changin.) -

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/4643351.htm

During World War II, Thurmond was too OLD for the draft (and in fact had served and been discharged already in the 20's), but enlisted anyway and participated in the D-Day invasion -

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/4643348.htm

Speaking of that governorship, here's Thurmond's inaugural address from 1947 -
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/4643511.htm

Here's some of the records Thurmond holds -
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/4643337.htm

Thurmond was always very popular in South Carolina, and is regarded as a model of constituent service. (To this day, he continues to call every family in the state of South Carolina when a family member dies, and sends greetings for new children and marriages.) -

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/4643339.htm
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/4669817.htm

Here's a general article about the fastest growing demographic in the US: People 100 or older -
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/4665418.htm

He has been married twice...both wives were Miss South Carolinas, and one was an intern in his office! -
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/4643362.htm

Some stories from those who know him -
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/4643354.htm
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/4643358.htm

For other articles (there are dozens in that paper today) here's The State's website -
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/

Here's some of the festivities planned for today (Post has photo gallery too) -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10378-2002Dec4.html

Today is Strom Thurmond Day in South Carolina -
http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Politics/ap20021205_111.html

New Jersey is paying tribute to Strom as well...NJ has had 35 governors since Thurmond was born. This site has a lot of then and now stuff, highly recommended -

http://www.politicsnj.com/thurmond120502.htm

CNN's celebration, with a photo gallery (have to go to the main page to get it though) -
http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/12/04/thurmond.birthday. reut/index.html

Interestingly...the "newspaper of Capitol Hill" Roll Call did not have a single article today about the Thurmond birthday. May they rot in Hell.

To conclude, the man in his own words, on his Senate website -
http://thurmond.senate.gov/

And an editorial cartoon -
http://www.thestateonline.com/ariail/ariail.gif

A few other items on this snow day:

Al Gore Watch: Richard Cohen seems to think Al Gore is the modern day Adlai Stevenson...a potential two time Presidential loser -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11338-2002Dec4.html

The "friendly" skies?: United Airlines had its stock de-listed today after it crashed over 50% on news of the Federal Government rejecting its loan guarantee application. BTW, this is a good thing, because United would have defaulted on the loan, and the government would have ended up owning it -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13247-2002Dec5.html

Another Anniversary: Today is the anniversary of the ratification of the 21st Amendment, re-legalizing liquor in the United States and ending Prohibition -

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/1205.h tml

Christmas Gift Ideas: Buy your love one a talking George W. Bush doll! -
http://207.36.165.62/

Well, hope everyone enjoys the weather! Oh, remember to vote for the title, here are your current options (note we've eliminated one...you may re-cast if you voted for it, no need to vote again otherwise...unless you really want to.)

1. From the Swamp
2. The World According to Greg
3. Mysterious Squiggly Lines
4. And they Call that News
5. Start the Insanity!
6. Ranting without moving

Gregory S. Gadren

Volume 1 Issue 16

December 5, 2002

The Madness Continues

Let it Snow, Rich Republicans at it again, and bricks at security...

So today there is a forecast of snow this evening and tomorrow in the DC Area, producing around 4 inches, a decent amount I suppose. Now, those of you not from or in the DC area must learn about how the people here are nuts when it comes to snow. I thought it was bad growing up in the Philadelphia area, but Philadelphia seems like the North Pole compared to the people down here. Hearing the forecast on the radio, I decided to do my weekly grocery shopping last evening, instead of fighting everyone at the stores tonight. Whoops. When David and I got there at 8:30, the place had already been cleaned out. A rack at the front of the store promising road salt was empty, I was able to get the last gallon of milk, and most of the shelves were bare. But the real fun will come tomorrow, when everything will close at the first inch of snow, or even better, this afternoon, when schools will begin to close because snow is merely FORECASTED. These are the people who get the weather wrong almost 75% of the time, and they close schools based on them!?!?! Sorry, that was long, but that's not even today's rant :) (BTW, the idiots, I mean weathermen, are already backing off their forecasts, we're down to 2 inches in some of them now...though I'm sure that's wrong too, its either going to rain, or we'll get 10.) A note that if the federal government closes (an unlikely event) or if the weather is actually bad, tomorrow's missive may be delayed until Friday, which is unfortunate since it's our Strom Thurmond's 100th Birthday Spectacular!

OK, so the voting continues. We are now moving to a 2nd round of voting, I have eliminated the 2 lowest vote-getting titles (actually one of them was a no-vote getting title), leaving 2. But, we have received some late entries that are a bit wacky, but what the hell, I'll throw a few out there. Here's the new list, you may now all vote again. Oh, also, those of you reading this forwarded on, please vote as well, and if you send in your email to greggadren@hotmail.com, you too can get this direct to your mailbox at 3pm almost everyday!

1. From the Swamp
2. The World According to Greg
3. Mysterious Squiggly Lines
4. Belligerent Ramblings
5. And they Call that News
6. Start the Insanity!
7. Ranting without moving

Bayou news: So the newest "scandal" in the La. Senate race is: Suzanne Turrell may have wrongly performed the coin toss at a high school football game! Independent Counsel! Independent Counsel! -

http://www.nola.com/elections/index.ssf?/newsstory/t_salmen0 4.html

Post has a good article on the race as well, and Bush's stake in it -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5699-2002Dec3.html

Look Who's Running For President: Slate has a good article on Gore's chances, as they relate to defeated candidates running again 4 years later. The Resurgence Continues! -

http://slate.msn.com/?id=2074794

Look Who's Running For President 2: Tony Blankley doesn't like Bob Kerry either, though he does like his hair -
http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/blankley.htm

Look Who's Running For President 3: Gary Hart apparently jokingly started a speech last week a college in Denver with the "I'm running for President" line, but of course he was joking. Is he? Hart also told The Hill that the Democrats need a better defense and security policy, and that he will help develop one. Hmm...stay tuned. Perhaps another resurgence?

Oh, to be rich and Republican: So George W. Bush is at it again. He has decided to roll back planned federal pay increases (and to those of you out there looking for conflicts, I'm not GS, so I don't get these anyway), citing a need for employees to help "sacrifice" to fight the War on Terror. Hmm...guess those businesses and rich people you gave tax cuts too don't need to sacrifice any George, just the poor federal workers FIGHTING THE GODDAMNED WAR! David Broder is pissed too, and makes good points about key war failures of not only Bush, but of all in Congress -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5920-2002Dec3.html

Oh, to be rich and Republican 2: Of course, if you're a political appointee of Bush's, that whole lower raise thing doesn't apply to you. You don't need to make any sacrifices. I mean, even Clinton didn't give these bonus' to Schedule C people, but what the hell, we're not Clinton! -

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/04/politics/04BONU.html

The End of the "Old Grey Lady"? It looks like the New York Times has officially fallen from its zenith as the national paper of record, no longer being "All the News That's Fit to Print." I'd have to agree, that while the Times still has great news coverage, it now is more along the lines of the Washington Post then in a class by itself. Latest evidence is that editors there killed two columns by regular columnists that disagreed with the paper's crusade against the Augusta National Golf Club's exclusion of women. What do readers think? Is the Times now just another big city paper, albeit one with fantastic coverage? If so, what is the new "paper of record", or isn't there one anymore? -

http://www.nydailynews.com/business/story/40542p-38284c.html

Airport Security Update: No words like the truth: "During Thanksgiving weekend, security screeners seized 15,982 pocketknives, 98 box cutters, 6 guns, and a brick." BTW, why would one carry a box cutter with them? What do people really need them for? Oh, and the brick attempt was at National Airport in DC, but then someone tried to bring a cannon onto a plane in Chicago... -

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/04/national/04AIRP.html

But the whole plane thing may not be safe: United Airlines (soon to be owned and operated by the US Government!) has been fined by the FAA. For fixing a broken part of a wing. With tape. Come fly the friendly skies -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5484-2002Dec3.html

Rant of the day: Christmas music. Ok. So, all the stations are playing Christmas music now, which I don't have a problem with, it being the season and all. I do however wonder about things that are declared "Christmas" music that have nothing whatsoever to do with Christmas. Basically, we can break Christmas songs down into 2 groups. First, the "religious" type songs, that deal with the Birth of Christ (i.e. Adeste Fideles, Joy to the World, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, etc..). Secondly, the "secular" songs that deal with the other aspects of the holiday, such as Santa Claus, Christmas Trees, the Weather etc. (i.e. White Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or any newer pop song). There is some overlap here, but basically these 2 groups work. Then, there's this bastard 3rd class - songs that have absolutely nothing to do with Christmas, yet are only played at Christmas time. For instance, Let it Snow. This is a love song about snow. No Christmas, no Baby Jesus or Santa Claus or drunk family members involved. Same for other "classics" like Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland, Frosty the Snowman, and so on. Why do we only play these at Christmas time? Wouldn't Let it Snow be more appropriate simply when snow was in the forecast? Or, ok, maybe they remind people of winter, and Christmas, great. Why do we never then hear them outside of Christmas? And, in advance, I will rant that it annoys me how we get saturated with the Christmas music now, but then BOOM, at midnight on the 26th, there's not a song to be heard, even though people are still off, still in the "Christmas spirit", and oh, the holiday doesn't end for 12 MORE DAYS! I doubt we'll be getting Christmas music through January 6, but would some on the 26th be so hard for the damn superduopolies (a real term!) that run the radio stations!?!?

Making a list: Santa Claus is coming to town, make sure you leave a fifth of whiskey for him! -
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1202/64851.html

Watch out for them Ivy Leaguers: Looks like some Penn students have gotten a little too much West Philly in them -
http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/Northeast/12/03/ivy.league.brawl. ap/index.html

Michael Jackson is nuts update: He told famous lawyer Gloria Allred to "Go to hell" -
http://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/News/12/04/michael.jackson.a llred/index.html

Well, stay warm, and have a great Wednesday!

Gregory S. Gadren