And if I am elected
I promise the formation of a new party
A third party, the Wild Party!
I know we have problems,
We have problems right here in Central City,
We have problems on the North, South, East and West,
New York City, Saint Louis, Philadelphia, Los Angeles,
Detroit, Chicago,
Everybody has problems,
And personally, I don't care.--Alice Cooper, "Elected"
And you know something? You know something? Not only are we going to New Hampshire, we're going to South Carolina and Oklahoma and Arizona and North Dakota and New Mexico! We're going to California and Texas and New York! And we're going to South Dakota and Oregon and Washington and Michigan! And then we're going to Washington, D.C.. To take back the White House!
We will not give up. We will not give up in New Hampshire. We will not give up in South Carolina. We will not give up in Arizona or New Mexico, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan! We will not quit now or ever! We want our country back for ordinary Americans. And we're going to win in Massachusetts! And North Carolina! And Missouri! And Arkansas! And Connecticut! And New York! And Ohio!--Howard Dean, screaming like a fool last night
The parade of pundits were all over the video advertising box last night claiming that a third place finisher in the Iowa caucuses could easily win in New Hampshire next week, but I beg to differ after Howard Dean did his bronco-buster routine sans the bronco, the ten gallon hat and the lasso last night. YEE-HAW!!! LET'S MOVE 'EM OUT!!! And they call GW a cowboy?
Despite all of the accolades sent Dick Gephardt's way by his competitors, I think his late-night comments were an example of why he received only 11% of the vote. He fights for the working class. Whoopee! There's a new one, heyna? Then he started yammering on about his roots: My daddy was a milk truck driver. My mom was a secretary. I went to public schools. I attended college with the money my parents could afford to save. And your point is? Vote for me, I come from a humble background? If that message served as a lightning rod for voters, I'd run for president.
I'm for the working class. Blah. Blah. Blah. My daddy abandoned me. My step-dad beat me. I grew up on welfare. I attended public schools. Then I growed up and tried to figure out why I was so f**ked-up.
Whatever. Gephardt's candidacy can be summed up in one word: Boring.
Then there's John Kerry. I don't understand what excites people about this guy. His message is less than visionary. George Bush sucks and Kerry will somehow provide jobs, healthcare and education for everybody, while of course reducing the deficit. He repeated a couple of his disingenous misnomers such as "The Bush Recession" (?) and his unprovable claim that we've lost 31 million jobs during the past three years, but he'll never be challenged for telling falsehoods. And he flip-flops more often than an expensive hooker at a bachelor party. Oh, and having served bravely and capably as a foot soldier in Vietnam should translate into his being more qualified to serve as the Commander in Chief. If that's the case, we've got millions of veterans of foreign wars that could make the same bogus claim. And while it's become so fashionable to jump on the 'Bush lied' bandwagon, let's not forget that Kerry once claimed that he threw his Bronze Star over the fence into the White House grounds during a Vietnam War protest, only to later find out that he made that story up. He looks like something from George Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" and his skills as an orator are reminiscent of Bob Dole's. If this guy evokes excitement from the hoi polloi, there is some quality there that totally escapes me.
And then there was John Edwards. I didn't know spit about this guy before last night, but after watching him and listening to him; I see him as the dark horse that could. The dangerous wild card. He's young, photogenic, charismatic, optimistic, and a smooth orator. Unless he's got got some serious skeletons piled in his closet, this guy could be a force to be reckoned with.
Today under George W. Bush, there are two Americas, not one. One America does the work, while another America reaps the reward. One America pays the taxes, while another America gets the tax breaks. If we want America to be a growing, thriving democracy with the strongest middle class on earth, we must choose a different path.
There are two Americas. The one for those rich scoundrels and the one for the rest of us. Unfortunately, class envy works every time it's tried and coupled with his appearance, his demeanor, and his public speaking skills; this guy just might make some serious noise on the Democrat side of the equation.
That's my reaction to the Dems last night. This democracy experiment of ours is a whole lotta fun.
Somebody called 'Talkback 16' and suggested that our mayor should have the folks currently on welfare clean up the City of Wilkes-Barre. There really should be laws against procreation with members of one's immediate family. Pick a target, any target, and then make your anonymous calls. I think the mayor should have the cigarette smokers clean up the city. Or how about those republicans who support Bush and his war for oil? How about those folks with a darker pigment? Why not the Katsock supporters? After all, they lost the election. How about the speds calling SAYSO and Talkback 16 getting their asses out front and cleaning the tree lawn and gutter directly in front of their own homes? More f**king morons.
We can expect to see some new benches and new garbage cans on Public Square soon enough. The Downtown Wilkes-Barre Residents Association coupled with The Downtown Business Association, or whatever it's called these days, managed to raise almost $9,000 at their Christmas Tree auction event held at the Kirby in December. Kudos to everyone involved. Rather than waiting around and bitching at elected folks for the deplorable condition of the downtown area, these folks banded together and did something to make a difference. If more of us were willing to take the bull by the horns, Wilkes-Barre would shine much faster than previously thought possible. The 3rd Annual 'Wingin' It in Wilkes-Barre' event is right around the corner, so more good news probably awaits us as The Downtown Wilkes-Barre Residents Association continues to push the envelope. These folks deserve our admiration and I'd love to see some copy-cat groups spring up sometime soon.
More on the Big Bash at the Ramada.
From the e-mail inbox:
*******Hi Mark, Just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for all your kind words on your posting, and also a big thank you for all the support you have provided this past year. Thanks again, SXXXXX*******
My supposedly 'kind words' for those that call themselves Wilkes-Barre Firefighters and their spouses were well-deserved. Right or wrong, I've always called it the way I've seen it, and the folks I've met that have some connection to our fire department are worthy of our praise and our respect.
*******Mark,
To let you know that there were more Hose Dudes who wanted to attend the Bash last saturday but we were on shift. Group 3 was working that night.
BXXXX*******
I hear ya'. Someone had to ensure public safety while Wilkes-Barre was partying heartier than it ever has before. Besides, chances were, with what was going on in that building, emergency services could have easily proved necessary.
*******hey mark............are you all recovered from the ball???? I think I am...I never went for so many beers in all my life..lol it was fun though I had a great time. I loved the pics especially the one you put on the site...but there is one problem.where is the one of you and me???? I thought that would make the site...you dissapointed me.....only kidding.......keep up the good work.......I hope we get to go to another party then I can go for more beers. maybe I'll even try one.
lXXXX
have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!*******
Recovered? I recover quick. It was a great night, wasn't it? My only regret was that I was forced to show up feeling already somewhat beat. I would have loved to stay until the end. I would have posted that pic of you and I, but as you already know, I never post anything even remotely pornographic in nature on this site. I could start a new site though. Get me a beer, bitch! I'm kidding. I'm kidding. Don't start!
*******I have a nice picture of you and XXX from Saturday, and you do clean up nice. It was great to have everyone dressed up, it made everything feel exciting, part of the celebration. Hope you had a nice time. Thanks for sharing the night with us. XXXXX*******
No. Thank you. Thank you for allowing this gorp to enjoy such a remarkable event the likes of which we will be hard-pressed to reproduce. This was one of those rare events that I will be eager to reflect back upon one day and be proud to say, "I was there."
After only two weeks into the new administration, it seems that our new Assistant to the Mayor has already resigned his position. While I've only heard one side of this story, I do have to admit to being somewhat troubled by this news. While we're promising 'Cooperation in Government," we had better see to it that the appropiate lines of communication are open and flowing. Now is not the time to stumble.
Later