Due to the expected landfall of Hurricane Gustav by Tuesday morning at 2:00 am, the Republican convention may be postponed.

President Bush is expected to speak to the convention on Monday night, but it is highly unlikely he will be there in person and will speak via satellite hook-up.

Today, Senator McCain and Gov. Palin are going to be in Mississippi to see what arrangements are being made for this storm which is predicted to be of proportions of Katrina or worse.

McCain has been quoted as saying he’d rather not have the convention if the storm hits as expected and would like to see the delegates get to the Gulf to see what they can do to help.

I feel the convention is not necessary unless you want to show your face on TV for four days’ worth of boring speeches.

It should be possible for the delegates to be polled and their ballots counted and then the official announcement of the nominees for president and vice president made.

This is a decision for the high mucky-mucks in the Republican Party to decide, but I come down on the side of not partying while a tragedy is taking place in our own country. The only thing we’ll miss is the boring speeches. We can always hear from McCain and Palin at a different time and I’m sure the press will give them access to the airwaves to give their acceptance speeches. Just joking. I’m not sure of anything.

Update: All but essential convention business will be suspended until further notice after the afternoon meeting on Monday. A quorum of 50% plus 1 is needed to conduct the business of certifying the delegates, and they can even vote for the nominations of the presidential and vice presidential candidates. President Bush and Vice President Cheney will not be in attendance as they monitor the situation in the Gulf.

John McCain has chartered a plane to take the residents of the Gulf back to their homes and families to be with them during this time of stress. He has also asked the vendors to set up Red Cross donation booths instead of having the parties. Since the parties are already scheduled they may or may not cancel them.

Go here and here for videos.

This is no joke for anyone. This is serious and people in the path of the hurricane need to heed the advice of the officials and common sense and get out. This time the residents can take their pets with them.

All you folks living the path of the latest potentially dangerous hurricane, listen up. It is really nothing more than an omen (and funny to boot)..one which means the Democrats will win in November.

From an email related to this story:

Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Don Fowler, on an airplane back to South Carolina, is caught laughing that Hurricane Gustav is going to hit New Orleans at the start of the GOP Convention and therefore God must be with the Democrats.

“Everything is cool,” he tells Congressman John Spratt (D-SC), seated next to him. They both laugh it up.

A RedState contributor just happened to be behind them and caught it all on tape.

Here’s the accompanying video:

This only once again serves to remind me why I have been so turned off by this election.

We are talking about the possibility of another hurricane having a devastating effect on the lives of our citizens and these jokers find it funny?

It must be nice to live in such an insulated world..oh, and I almost forgot.. more importantly,it serves their politics too.

Absolutely, disgraceful.

*Update: It is to early to know what the GOP will do in regards to their convention but should this hurricane make landfall with ferocity, perhaps this plan will be instituted.

Pittsburgh, Pa. - John McCain and the GOP are considering scrapping political speeches and turning their St. Paul/Minneapolis convention into a “service” program to help victims of Storm Gustav, The Post has learned.

Sources told The Post that McCain himself might visit the Gulf Coast during the week of the Republican National Convention, which begins Monday. McCain is not scheduled to make his nomination speech until Thursday.

The contingency plan – a worst case scenario if the storm devastates coastal areas – would turn Republicans into Red Cross-type volunteers who would help collect donations, food and goods to help storm victims.

McCain - whose campaign motto is “Country First” – said helping people during an emergency will take precedence over accepting his GOP nomination for president.
[emphasis mine]

Darn right!

Earlier in the year, Sarah Palin speaks on topic of energy independence:

Is this part of the reason some in the Washington establishment may be a little fearful of the Governor?

Would she push Congress with the facts at her side to come up with a better argument than they have offered (in rejection) to tap the natural resources we have available in our own country?

And yes, I know, she said she would stay in Alaska rather than come to Washington but I consider that no different than Joe Biden’s “I’m not the guy” a mere few days prior to being selected. Guess you could say it’s the nature of the beast of politics.

I discovered this video in following the links available in this post at RedState. Lot’s more there.

*Update: More from Sarah Palin on Domestic Energy Recovery. The VP debate should be very interesting:

While reading some of the comments on Politico last night I noticed someone referred to Todd Palin, husband of Republican VP nominee-in-waiting, as being an oil company executive. This immediately struck me because I remembered Sarah Palin stating both she and her husband were union members. She said he was a member of the United Steel Workers union.

Having been a union member and officer once myself I know management is not qualified to be members of the union.

So, this morning, after reading the negative story in Politico that the Palin pick was an act of desperation, I clicked over to a Yahoo News story that tells us Todd Palin is

a veteran oil-field worker and commercial fisherman affectionately dubbed Alaska’s “first dude.” He’s a man who took college courses but does not have a degree, yet can hold his own in sophisticated circles, even hosting a reception for five former Alaska first ladies earlier this month.

The article goes on to say he is an ardent snowmobile racer and commercial fisherman. He’s also part Yup’kik Eskimo.

In addition to his work duties he has taken on extra responsibilities of caring for the children when needed and caring for the family finances.

If you’ve ever watched the “Deadliest Catch”, a show about commercial crab fisherman, you realize what a hard job being a commercial fisherman can be. These guys pull their weight or they’re gone.

It’s beginning already to look like, just as the media were unfair to Hillary Clinton once the Obama was deemed to be the One, it’s going to be just as rough on this governor from Alaska.

She has cleaned up corruption in her own party in Alaska. She is under investigation for firing the head of the transportation department, supposedly because he wouldn’t fire her ex-brother in law, a state trooper who reportedly tasered his step-son. I can’t remember where I read that but if I run across it again I’ll provide the link.

Palin’s husband did speak to the man from the transportation department but says he did not ask for anyone to be fired.

Mrs. Palin welcomes the investigation because she says she was not aware of what was happening behind the scenes and is not guilty of anything.

We hear of her inexperience, but must remember that unless John McCain drops dead the first couple of months of his presidency, should he be elected, she will have plenty of time to learn the ropes. After all, the vice president only presides over the Senate and waits for the president to become incapacited or dead. Otherwise, they attend funerals of important figures. Hopefully, if he wins, McCain will give her more responsibility and the opportunity to learn should she ever have to take over from him.

On the other hand, a senator who has spent a total of 143 days in the Senate since his election is hardly qualified to be president and I worry about the top of the ticket more than the bottom of the ticket.

As my philosophy has always been with everyone, I will trust her until or unless she proves to be not worthy of that trust.

In the meantime, let’s all stop the mud-slinging and hope for a clean election this fall. I know that’s a tall order, but it’s time to put the adults in charge.

*Update (Sue): ~J~: Sorry for the intrusion on your post but as you addressed the media problem, thought I would add this video of Palin addressing the issue:

Nice!

Here’s the Sarah Palin for Vice President website.
*Update: (Sorry for the earlier incorrect link folks)

HT for the video:Classical Values

I stayed up until about 5:30 this morning and was snoozing away when the phone rang and my son told me the big rumor was Sarah Palin was going to be Sen. McCain’s vice presidential pick.

It was enough to get me out of bed and tune in to the television. Around 10:00 am it was sort of confirmed by a campaign official backstage, but I was actually waiting for official word. I dared not hope McCain would have chosen someone I have read favorable things about.

When he made the announcement and she came out with her husband and four of her five children (the oldest son is preparing to go to Iraq) I was ecstatic.

This is a mother of five children, the youngest being born in April. He has Down’s Syndrome and she knew it before his birth. She could have aborted him, but she didn’t. She could have kept him home and used the excuse he was just a baby and she didn’t want him to travel, but she didn’t.

She had one of her daughters proudly holding the baby while he slept and another daughter holding his bottle. Clearly this child is loved and they are not ashamed of him.

When McCain turned and saw the baby he gently kissed him. It was a very touching scene.

She’s a wonderful speaker, based on what she said today. She gave homage to Geraldine Ferraro who was the first woman vice presidential pick some 24 years ago. She also praised Hillary Clinton for putting 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling and said this year she hoped we could finally smash that glass ceiling, much to the delight of the audience.

No sooner had her name been announced and before her appearance we heard from the Obama camp that she was just a former mayor from a city of 9,000 people and has no foreign policy experience. Tacky.

What Obama’s campaign didn’t mention is that she is governor of Alaska, had a state-owned aircraft and sold it when she got into office to save the state money. She drives around the state or takes a commercial plane for her official travel.

She has never been afraid to fire anyone for not doing their job and enjoys an unheard of 80% approval rating in her state. There is an investigation because she fired the state highway commissioner and some think it’s because her sister is married to a state trooper and she wanted the commissioner to fire the trooper since they are going through a divorce. She has welcomed the investigation and I think there is nothing more to the story than that she just fired the commissioner.

She gave up her state police security detail upon becoming governor because she said she can take care of herself. Today she was surrounded by the Secret Service and she won’t be able to get rid of them until a) she loses the election or b)she is no longer a vice president, assuming she won’t run for president.

I have to admit the pride I felt today when I learned this charismatic woman was selected, and she looks as though she runs on batteries that never run out.

For the first time this election season I am excited about the McCain ticket.

Watch the film and see how the people who call themselves “peace protestors” treat someone who doesn’t share their beliefs.

Kudos to tiny Michelle Malkin for taking her stand and refusing to leave because of the bullies.

Blackfive links to Moment of Thanks which in turn is linking videos, pictures and well wishes from individuals of all ages and backgrounds with our troops.

Check it out!

Well, it’s official.

Barack Obama is the Presidential nominee of the Democratic party.

Assuming there are no snags on the Republican side, John McCain will partake of the same honor.

Both men should be questioned (when they meet to debate) about their past and present relationships. Not the man, woman kind but the type which would show poor judgment in ones associations.

The following ad,(which I am late getting to due to family constraints) is being “legally” challenged by the Obama campaign.

It seems as though no one is running scared as it is being shown all across the internet:

I wonder if Obama will reply (if asked again) in the same manner he did in this primary debate:

Here is the question I would love to hear asked of the Democratic nominee.

“Would you associate with someone who knowingly desecrated the American Flag?”

Just asking Senator.

More on the Ayers/Obama relationship detailed here.

Introduced by the daughter of his late brother the President, the old lion came onstage with his white mane still visible, although a bit thinner on the left side of his head.

He was a bit heavier than before and needed the guidance of his wife to point him in the right direction to the podium and to help him to get there.

There was a stoop to his back and a shuffle in his walk, a tremble in his right hand and a bandage on his left. But his voice was still strong as he made his speech to the delegates of the 2008 Democratic National Convention—possibly his last.

The only current politicians he mentioned were Obama and Biden. He promised to be on the Senate floor in January when he expects “President” Obama will be the leader of the country and he will fight his fights for him in the Senate. Somehow I hope he lives that long, no matter who the president is at noon on January 20, 2009.

His rhetoric wasn’t as soaring as what we have heard in the past, but he tried his hardest to encourage people to vote for his candidate.

He shuffled off stage with the assistance of his wife and into the arms of his extended family, with Maria Schriver crying in the audience.

He told us he was passing the torch to a new generation. Words his brother spoke 47 years ago.

And, love him or hate him, one couldn’t help cheering for him to defeat this disease that is eating at his body.

Teddy, we’ll miss you when you leave the stage for good.

(I intended to recap the convention coverage, but felt everyone would have seen what I saw and I couldn’t tell you anything you didn’t know, so I decided to give you my impression of the Old Lion.

Well, the Democrats have kicked off their convention.

Hope all of you who are watching are enjoying the show!

I do not say that to be glib, I honestly hope you gain something out of the next four days.

As for me, I won’t be doing much commenting or writing on the events taking place. Reason? It holds no interest for me.

Nothing any one of the politicians, pundits, religious leaders or back slappers has to say will alter my thoughts on this election. This is not to say I won’t read what others have to say or even peruse the available transcripts of the speeches but as for being glued to the television..ah..no.

For those so inclined, there is a look back at some interesting and historic convention moments offered here.

Thank you to each and every athlete who competed on behalf of the United States at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Win or lose, you have made America proud. Your spirit of fair competition was evident in every event in which you participated.

To your families, coaches and large support systems, you have our gratitude. Without each of you many of these athletes would never have reached their full potential.

The final medal count for these fine men and women was stunning:

* Gold 36
* Silver 38
* Bronze 36
* Total 110

Well done!!!!!!!!

Geeze, John McCain hasn’t even won the presidency and already the Hitler comparisons are beginning:

John McCain’s campaign hit back at Madonna on Sunday after the pop diva kicked off her world tour with a concert that bracketed the US presidential candidate with Adolf Hitler.

McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds angrily condemned the segment of Madonna’s concert in Cardiff on Saturday that appeared to draw a comparison between McCain, Hitler and Zimbabwean strongman Robert Mugabe.

“The comparisons are outrageous, unacceptable and crudely divisive all at the same time,” Bounds said in a statement reported by Fox News.

“It clearly shows that when it comes to supporting Barack Obama, his fellow worldwide celebrities refuse to consider any smear or attack off limits.”

So Barack Obama is likened to John Lennon, Gandhi and Al Gore by this well past her prime, under-dressed entertainer (IMHO) and what..that is supposed to convince me to vote for the man?

This business of anyone, not just entertainers, comparing candidates and those already installed in office to others is beyond ridiculous.

President Bush and Senator McCain have not one of the characteristics of Hitler and Barack Obama has not accomplished anything which would qualify him to fit the shoes of Gandhi or for that matter the talented John Lennon.

Video here if you are so inclined. (I cannot vouch for its full contents as I only could bear the first 45 second or so.)

Joe Biden has said and written much which may come back to haunt the Obama campaign and it did not take long for the McCain folks to pounce:

HT:RedState

Anything in excess usually loses its luster.

Excess would be an understatement in this case:

MSNBC Friday announced it will present live coverage from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET Saturday in preparation for the announcement of Sen. Barack Obama’s vice presidential running mate for the November election.

The coverage will kick off with MSNBC Live at 6 a.m. ET with Alex Witt anchoring.

I can never remember the selection of the person who is 2nd on the ticket being given an entire day of coverage by any network, cable or otherwise. Discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of the individual are expected but come on, sixteen hours worth?

Television broadcasting might be turning toward entertainment and not hard news but when the election of a president is headed that way..well let’s just say its a sad day.

Ridiculous? It is to me.

*Update: At least the suspense is over:

(CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama has picked Delaware Sen. Joe Biden to be his running mate, multiple Democratic sources tell CNN.

While I find this a strange choice for a man who has touted change in Washington I must admit I am also delighted to have been absolutely wrong in my prediction a while back that this would be an Obama/Clinton or Clinton/Obama ticket.

Can’t wait to see who Senator McCain selects.

Will he make it a foursome for the Senate?

Will there be sixteen hours of coverage for him and his VP candidate? Hope not!

Sometimes the body just does not want to cooperate.

~J~ is down for a few days on doctors orders with a bad back.

I don’t know if she will be able to post over the short haul, but no matter as long as she recovers.

Feel better soon!

Sneak Peek!

Republican Convention main stage:

and for the Democrats:

Thanks to Mark Halperin for the heads up!

How do Americans view the issue of mixing religion and politics?

The latest Pew Research poll might provide some insight:

HOUSTON (Reuters) - A slim majority of Americans, including more conservatives and Republicans than previously, want to keep religion out of politics, a survey released on Thursday found.

The results come as Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain actively vie for the support of religious voters among others ahead of the November 4 presidential election.

The survey by the Pew Research Center found that 52 percent of Americans thought that churches and other religious institutions should stay out of politics, an increase of eight percentage points since 2004, when the last U.S. presidential election was held.

If the results of this study are correct then Maryland is definitely not the place to be when you reach your golden years:

BALTIMORE, Aug. 21 (UPI) — U.S. researchers say seriously injured people age 65 and older are 52 percent less likely than others of being taken to a trauma center.

The researchers say elderly patients are undertriaged — with only 17.8 percent being taken to a designated trauma center — compared to 49.9 percent of younger patients. The study, published in the Archives of Surgery, also finds the decrease in transports starts at age 50, with another decrease noted at age 70.

The study researchers — led by David C. Chang of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore — analyzed 10 years of data from the statewide Maryland Ambulance Information System and interviewed 159 emergency medical personnel.

It would be interesting the compare a nationwide survey to the one conducted in Maryland. If the numbers were similar it would denote a serious downfall in our health care system.

Have a wonderful weekend all!

With a friend like Harry Reid, you really do not need many enemies:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., defended Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman on Wednesday after the former Democratic vice presidential nominee accepted a speaking slot at next month’s Republican convention in Minnesota.

“He has a close personal relationship with John McCain. I don’t fully understand why he does,” said Reid, who said Lieberman called Tuesday from the Republic of Georgia to alert him to the move.

“I told him last night, ‘You know, Joe, I can’t stand John McCain.’ He said, ‘I know you feel that way,’ ” Reid said.

But Reid said he would continue to resist calls from the Democratic Party’s base to strip Lieberman, now an independent, of his Senate positions for his disloyalty.

“All my close votes, he’s always with me, whether it’s the budget or energy issues,” Reid said. “No matter what it is, he’s always with us. He just does not vote right on Iraq. … Why would I want to throw away a good vote?”

(emphasis -mine)

Sure you support Senator Lieberman’s decision Mr. Reid. Plus, you show so much class in making public the fact that you “can’t stand” a fellow Senator, let alone a presidential candidate.

It is also clear the Majority leader will attempt to protect Senator Lieberman’s committee assignments only because he votes with him the majority of the time.

Does anyone believe that should the Democrats gain a veto proof majority in the Senate that Mr. Reid would not immediately throw Senator Lieberman under the bus?

We’ve seen many a majority leader come and go but Senator Reid has shown himself to be one of the rudest and most classless of all.