Thursday, September 11, 2008

Check, Please.


Hi folks... I thought I'd follow such luminaries as J.Roosh and Uncle Ben out the door, and put the Palace on Ice for at least awhile, if not altogether.

Ever since starting this blog in a Minneapolis hotel room on a sub-zero February night in 2005 (hence the name), being inspired by the likes of Captain Ed and the Fraters guys, I've had grandiose visions of hitting the big time.

Well, that ship never docked at my pier, so it never really even got a chance to sail away. But that's neither here nor there. I've met some unbelievably great friends in the MOB and elsewhere (too many to mention) and had some great experiences along the way. Maintaining a blog has kept my finger on the pulse of what is happening in the world to a much greater degree than was ever the case heretofore in my lifetime; and although my traffic for a week was what Captain Ed would get in less than half a minute, I was nonetheless humbled by those who did take time out of their busy day, including regular readers, Sara from California, Sid, and others, whose readership made the task of updating the blog a lot lighter.

However, lately, I've had a pretty full plate with my day job, as well as helping out with the worthy cause of helping Steve Gottwalt to get elected, not to mention family responsibilities.

As I've often said, a job worth doing, is worth doing right. Although I've enjoyed blogging, the time required to not only update a blog daily, but to really put thought into each post, was time that I was lacking. I was paying a little attention to each facet of my life, but nowhere near the attention each facet deserved; that included blogging.

While I'm shutting down The Palace for the foreseeable future, I've decided to devote some more time this season to getting the blowhard from PA-12 de-throned; along with more time on Steve Gottwalt's campaign, and hopefully, more family time.

And if I do find something worthwhile to share with the world, Derek Brigham has agreed to open up another stall for me at the Kennel, so I'll be contributing there once in a while. Additionally, I'll continue offering sporadic contributions to True North, Blogs for Victory and Grizzly Groundswell.

A deep and heartfelt thanks to all who have spent some time out of their day to read my screeds.

It has meant more to me than you'll ever know.

With that, I bid you, and The Ice Palace, adieu.

Sincerely,

Leo John Pusateri, Jr.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Which one's the Pig?

"Just the other day, our opponent brought up earmarks, and frankly I was surprised that he did, considering his record on earmarks. I didn't think he'd want to go there. In just three years, our opponent has requested nearly a billion dollars in earmarks, and that's about a million dollars every working day.

We reformed the abuses of earmarks in our state, and *it was while our opponent was requesting a billion dollars in earmarks as a Senatorial privilege. What I was doing was vetoing half a billion dollars as an executive responsibility*."

- Governor Sarah Palin. Fairfax, VA speech.

10, September, 2008

I rest my case.

Wednesday Hero Blogburst 9/10/08

SSgt. Andy Pena
SSgt. Andy Pena

U.S. Air Force

Staff Sgt. Andy Pena performs in-flight calibrations on a HH-60 Pave Low while flying Sept. 3 over Ellington Field, Texas. He and members of the 55th Rescue Squadron deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., to Ellington Field in response to Hurricane Gustav with less than 24 hours after notification. Sergeant Pena is an aerial gunner.


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
Wednesday Hero Logo

Dear Mr. Obama



Nuff said.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Obama through the looking glass...

From here:

“You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called ‘change,’ it’s still going to stink,” Obama said. “After eight years, we’ve had enough of the same old thing. It’s time to bring about real change to Washington and that’s the choice you’ve got in this election.” -Barack Milhaus Hussein Obama
Hey Barry--are you talking about the same old socialism that you've been hawking, wrapped in that fishwrap you've been touting as "change?"

And don't think that "lipstick and pig" comment you made against Palin is going to go unanswered, creep.

Not that I'm mad at you for saying it. Hell no. As a matter of fact, I feel sorry for you.

You see, Urkel, you have picked a fight you have no chance in hell of winning.

She (Sarah) will make complete mincemeat out of your political hide, and field dress you for good measure.

You picked a fight with the wrong person, O'Bammy. She wasn't kidding about the 'pit bull' thing.

You, Barack Hussein Obama, picked an opponent who is way above your paygrade. In a war of wits with Ms. Palin, You, sir, came into a nuclear war with a pea shooter.

You, sir, went and set yourself up for a world of hurt.

That is all.

Monday, September 08, 2008

Important Primary Tomorrow for CD-6

You may not think that Primary elections are important, but like all elections, primaries can have serious implications.

Take tomorrow's primary in Minnesota CD 6, for example.

While Elwin Tinklenberg will be pretty much running unopposed tomorrow, the nutroots are going to be showing up en masse to cross-over and to try to shove a Manchurian candidate down our throats.

Don't let this happen-- your always vote counts, but it's going to count in spades in tomorrow's primary.

Get out and vote.

So what's the party about??

World Markets Soar after Government Takeover of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae

Remember, folks... this is a government power grab, using a behemoth-proportioned share of your tax dollars. While Wall Street Investors may breathe a temporary sigh of relief, knowing that taxpayers are going to foot the bill for bad loans, personally, I don't think that taxpayers have a reason to join in the merriment.

If Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are any kind of barometer with which to gauge the efficiency of government, these mortgage giants can only become bloated corpses and endless moneypits that will sap taxpayers, their progeny, and the economy for decades to come.

Forgive me if I don't break out into a rousing chorus of "Happy Days are Here Again."

With what is clearly a socialist-like takeover of a sector of our economy, perhaps a chorus of "It's All Over Now" would be more appropriate.

Friday, September 05, 2008

Anarkids Highlights of the 9-4-08 RNC Protest

My son Leo III put together this compilation....



Good job, son!

UPDATE:

I did have the good fortune to meet up with Mitch, Lassie, Jamie Delton, Marty Andrade and others...

Please check their blogs, as well as True North, for some kick-butt coverage.

It doesn't get any loonier than this...

They're coming to take me away, a-ha!

Whoopi Goldberg: Strong (Conservative) Women are Dangerous

The nomination of Sarah Palin as Sen. John McCain's Vice Presidential nominee has set the cause of feminism back 100 years.

You read right. The feminists are so flummoxed and perplexed that a conservative woman is stealing their thunder, that they've resorted to denying their feminist doctrine!

Take Whoopi Goldberg, for instance:
Whoopi’s article concluded by suggesting Gov. Palin's speech reminded her of a German-American Nazi rally: "This girl is dangerous to me. This is a very dangerous woman, because I believe for her intents and purposes, she’s OK if everybody lives a certain way, that is to say, the way God ordained men and women to be. Well, already she’s breaking that because she’s the daddy. She’s going to run the country and the husband is going to take care of the kids. I just found the whole thing sad and very musty and very much like a Bund rally, but maybe that was just me."
Yes, Whoopi, I think it is just you. But I digress.

So Whoopi has her panties in a knot (ooh... that evoked a nauseating picture) because a woman is living a feminist dream, and she's a-- gasp!! conservative!!! How dare a conservative woman attain the acme of an egalitarian's dream! Dammit--she's supposed to be home baking cookies!

Ohh... sweet irony!

Watching the Defectives, Part III

More photos from the Anarkid demonstration at the RNC yesterday.... (click on pics for full size)

...and they call it, puppy love...

And sealed with a kiss...
And who needs a drum when you have a rubber band, a stick, some Saran Wrap, and a five-gallon pail entitled, appropriately enough, "joint compound."


...more to come...

Watching the Defectives Part II

My 17-year old son, Leo III has quite a promising career ahead of him as a journalist. At least he asks the tough questions of someone who should be old enough to know better:

BTW--my son Leo III also interviewed a masked Anarkid; It was a great interview, but it was in the middle of a noisy situation, so it would have been difficult to discern what the Anarkid was saying.

I'll post it as soon as I can work up a transcript.

Watching the Defectives...Part 1

Some interesting moments of the Anarkids attempted march in St. Paul yesterday, taken by myself and my son..

In this one, we see an Anarkid, lower left, doing a bang-up rendition of Morris Alpert's one-hit wonder, Feelings.


Proving that being an Anarkid knows no age boundaries, this scarf-wearing, pony-tail clad "gentlemen" standing next to me on the railing of the John Ireland Av. Bridge was every bit of 55 years old... as was his wife next to him.


"And I'll have a double-cheeseburger...with fries!

More to come...

~~We Were Watching the Defectives~~

My son and I went to the Convention last night; however, we never did make the proceedings.  We found ourselves otherwise occupied, taking vids and reporting on the goings on with the Anarkids yesterday.

I'll be posting some pics and videos after work tonight, including a couple of interviews done by my son, who's an aspiring journalist.

Stay tuned!

Live Stream of the Convention (bumped til 9/4/08)

Free video streaming by Ustream

The following is the live backstage cam, where speakers will be interviewed as soon as they are done with their speeches:

Free video streaming by Ustream

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Enter: Sarah Palin....Live Blog...


9:31pm...To say that there is electricity in the XCel energy center right now would be akin to saying that the sun is but a penlight.

9:32pm--Accepts nomination for Veep... and the CROWD GOES WILD!!!

-"I accept the challenge of a tough fight against competent opponents during a crucial time in our nation. "

-"It was just a year ago when McCain was counted out, and attributed it to McCain's stance on the war. But the posters and pundits underestimated the resolve and depth of John McCain.

-"There's a time for politics, and a time for leadership; a time to campaign, and a time to put our country first."

-Son Trapp will be deployed on September 11th...-"As the mother of one of those troops, (McCain) is exactly the kind of man I want for Commander in Chief."


9:36pm--introduces her family--a perfectly beautiful baby boy...

"Sometimes the greatest joys bring challenge... to the families of special needs children all across this country: For years you sought to make America more welcoming to your sons and daughters, and I pledge that if elected you will have a friend in the White House.

Husband Todd-- a world champiion snow machine racer, proud member of the Steel workers
union...

-Mom & Dad both work in the elementary school from my town.

-Like Harry Truman, People who come from small towns are the ones who do the hardest work in America. they love their country in good times and bad, and they're ALWAYS proud of America!"

--"I was just your average hockey mom and signed up for the PTA..."

--"the difference between a hockey mom & a pit bull--lipstick

--"Let me explain to them what the job involves:

  • I guess a small time mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except you have actual responsibilities...
  • We don't a candidate who praises small town people when they're listening, and then talk of them clinging to "guns and religion" when they're not listening, or talking one way in Scranton, PA and another in San Francisco

"As for my running mate, you can be certain that wherever he goes, and whoever is listening, John McCain is the same man. I'm not a member of the permanent political establishment.<>
And I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone.

But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people."


Politics isn't just a game of clashing parties and competing interests.

The right reason is to challenge the status quo, to serve the common good, and to leave this nation better than we found it.

No one expects us to agree on everything.

But we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions, and ... a servant's heart.

I pledge to all Americans that I will carry myself in this spirit as vice president of the United States. This was the spirit that brought me to the governor's office, when I took on the old politics as usual in Juneau ... when I stood up to the special interests, the lobbyists, big oil companies, and the good-ol' boys network."

Sudden and relentless reform never sits well with entrenched interests and power brokers. That's why true reform is so hard to achieve.

But with the support of the citizens of Alaska, we shook things up.

And in short order we put the government of our state back on the side of the people.

I came to office promising major ethics reform, to end the culture of self-dealing. And today, that ethics reform is the law.

While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor's office that I didn't believe our citizens should have to pay for.

That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay.

I also drive myself to work.

And I thought we could muddle through without the governor's personal chef - although I've got to admit that sometimes my kids sure miss her. I came to office promising to control spending - by request if possible and by veto if necessary.

Senator McCain also promises to use the power of veto in defense of the public interest - and as a chief executive, I can assure you it works.

Our state budget is under control.

We have a surplus.

And I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending: nearly half a billion dollars in vetoes.

I suspended the state fuel tax, and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress.

I told the Congress "thanks, but no thanks," for that Bridge to Nowhere.

If our state wanted a bridge, we'd build it ourselves. When oil and gas prices went up dramatically, and filled up the state treasury, I sent a large share of that revenue back where it belonged - directly to the people of Alaska.

(9:51pm) And despite fierce opposition from oil company lobbyists, who kind of liked things the way they were, we broke their monopoly on power and resources.

As governor, I insisted on competition and basic fairness to end their control of our state and return it to the people."


I fought to bring about the largest private-sector infrastructure project in North American history.

And when that deal was struck, we began a nearly forty billion dollar natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence.

That pipeline, when the last section is laid and its valves are opened, will lead America one step farther away from dependence on dangerous foreign powers that do not have our interests at heart.

The stakes for our nation could not be higher.

When a hurricane strikes in the Gulf of Mexico, this country should not be so dependent on imported oil that we are forced to draw from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

And families cannot throw away more and more of their paychecks on gas and heating oil.

With Russia wanting to control a vital pipeline in the Caucasus, and to divide and intimidate our European allies by using energy as a weapon, we cannot leave ourselves at the mercy of foreign suppliers.

To confront the threat that Iran might seek to cut off nearly a fifth of world energy supplies ... or that terrorists might strike again at the Abqaiq facility in Saudi Arabia ... or that Venezuela might shut off its oil deliveries ... we Americans need to produce more of our own oil and gas.

And take it from a gal who knows the North Slope of Alaska: we've got lots of both.

Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America's energy problems - as if we all didn't know that already.

But the fact that drilling won't solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all.

Starting in January, in a McCain-Palin administration, we're going to lay more pipelines ... build more new-clear plants ... create jobs with clean coal ... and move forward on solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternative sources.

We need American energy resources, brought to you by American ingenuity, and produced by American workers. I've noticed a pattern with our opponent.

Maybe you have, too.

We've all heard dramatic speeches before devoted followers.

And there is much to like and admire about our opponent.

But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate. [ooh--that's gonna leave a mark--Ed]

This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting, and never use the word "victory" except when he's talking about his own campaign. But when the cloud of rhetoric has passed ... when the roar of the crowd fades away ... when the stadium lights go out, and those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot - what exactly is our opponent's plan? What does he actually seek to accomplish, after he's done turning back the waters and healing the planet? The answer is to make government bigger ... take more of your money ... give you more orders from Washington ... and to reduce the strength of America in a dangerous world. America needs more energy ... our opponent is against producing it.

Victory in Iraq is finally in sight ... he wants to forfeit.

Terrorist states are seeking new-clear weapons without delay ... he wants to meet them without preconditions.

Al Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America ... he's worried that someone won't read them their rights? Government is too big ... he wants to grow it.

Congress spends too much ... he promises more.[In Batman parlance, that would be accompanied by the words, "Biff!" "*POW*" and "WHAP!"]

Taxes are too high ... he wants to raise them. His tax increases are the fine print in his economic plan, and let me be specific.

The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes ... raise payroll taxes ... raise investment income taxes ... raise the death tax ... raise business taxes ... and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars. My sister Heather and her husband have just built a service station that's now opened for business - like millions of others who run small businesses.

How are they going to be any better off if taxes go up? Or maybe you're trying to keep your job at a plant in Michigan or Ohio ... or create jobs with clean coal from Pennsylvania or West Virginia ... or keep a small farm in the family right here in Minnesota.

How are you going to be better off if our opponent adds a massive tax burden to the American economy? Here's how I look at the choice Americans face in this election.

In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers.

And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.

They're the ones whose names appear on laws and landmark reforms, not just on buttons and banners, or on self-designed presidential seals.

Among politicians, there is the idealism of high-flown speechmaking, in which crowds are stirringly summoned to support great things.

And then there is the idealism of those leaders, like John McCain, who actually do great things. They're the ones who are good for more than talk ... the ones we have always been able to count on to serve and defend America. Senator McCain's record of actual achievement and reform helps explain why so many special interests, lobbyists, and comfortable committee chairmen in Congress have fought the prospect of a McCain presidency - from the primary election of 2000 to this very day.

Our nominee doesn't run with the Washington herd.

He's a man who's there to serve his country, and not just his party.

A leader who's not looking for a fight, but is not afraid of one either. Harry Reid, the Majority Leader of the current do-nothing Senate, not long ago summed up his feelings about our nominee.

He said, quote, "I can't stand John McCain." Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps no accolade we hear this week is better proof that we've chosen the right man. Clearly what the Majority Leader was driving at is that he can't stand up to John McCain. That is only one more reason to take the maverick of the Senate and put him in the White House. My fellow citizens, the American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of "personal discovery." This world of threats and dangers is not just a community, and it doesn't just need an organizer.

And though both Senator Obama and Senator Biden have been going on lately about how they are always, quote, "fighting for you," let us face the matter squarely.

There is only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you ... in places where winning means survival and defeat means death ... and that man is John McCain. In our day, politicians have readily shared much lesser tales of adversity than the nightmare world in which this man, and others equally brave, served and suffered for their country.

It's a long way from the fear and pain and squalor of a six-by-four cell in Hanoi to the Oval Office.

But if Senator McCain is elected president, that is the journey he will have made.


It's the journey of an upright and honorable man - the kind of fellow whose name you will find on war memorials in small towns across this country, only he was among those who came home.

To the most powerful office on earth, he would bring the compassion that comes from having once been powerless ... the wisdom that comes even to the captives, by the grace of God ... the special confidence of those who have seen evil, and seen how evil is overcome. A fellow prisoner of war, a man named Tom Moe of Lancaster, Ohio, recalls looking through a pin-hole in his cell door as Lieutenant Commander John McCain was led down the hallway, by the guards, day after day.

[10:07pm]As the story is told, "When McCain shuffled back from torturous interrogations, he would turn toward Moe's door and flash a grin and thumbs up" - as if to say, "We're going to pull through this." My fellow Americans, that is the kind of man America needs to see us through these next four years.

For a season, a gifted speaker can inspire with his words.

For a lifetime, John McCain has inspired with his deeds." [AMEN!]


For a lifetime, John McCain has inspired with his deeds.

If character is the measure in this election ... and hope the theme ... and change the goal we share, then I ask you to join our cause. Join our cause and help America elect a great man as the next president of the United States.

Thank you all, and may God bless America. [10:08PM]

GRAND SLAM, SARAH!

10:11pm--McCain makes a special appearance on the floor-~and the crowd goes wild...

Drill, Baby, Drill!!!

That's the phrase coined by Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, (and just parroted by Rudy Giuliani) and an overriding theme of tonight's convention--there are all kinds of "Drill now" signs all over the convention floor. The grass roots are speaking and speaking loudly!

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

When I need some grounding...

All I need do is look into the eyes of my granddaughter...

Unable to be at the proceedings tonight...

due to a family situation...

But I will be there tomorrow night with bells on... you can count on it.

Meanwhile, please feel free to watch a live feed of the proceedings at the top of the main page of the Palace.

Hanging up the Hammer...

We kind of started out as a trio, actually a quartet. This blog, Jon The Night Writer, Jeff at Peace Like a River, and, of course, Uncle Ben at Hammerswing who has decided to retire his blogging hammer so as to free himself to higher pursuits.

Best of luck, and godspeed, my friend!

-Leo-

Part of our "unilateral" interventionism, no doubt...

This is a correspondence from a friend of mine who resides in the Netherlands, who writes of his son who is currently serving in Afghanistan:

It’s not all mayhem over there

Here’s a picture of my son, looking after a 1 year old Afghan baby in Kandahar hospital. I don’t know about details here, Liam is very good about the “need to know” rule.

He did say he’s been working his “rear” end off with many casualties, 26 wounded and 16 deaths in 36 hours, soldiers and civilians, not all because of fighting but also traffic accidents etc.

You can tell he’s hot though.
A big thank you, not only to our troops and their families, but to all our allies and their families, who join us in fighting the good fight.

GOD bless you all!

To Bristol Palin: You Go Girl!

Far from the field day that the dimwit-crats thought they would have with the news that Sarah Palin's 17-year old daughter, Bristol, was pregnant, this issue will prove to be a non-starter, and the oh-so-tolerant dems will once again have mud on their collective face.

You see, being pro-life doesn't mean that one will never make a mistake.

Being pro-life, however, does mean that one doesn't take that mistake out on a helpless developing infant.

A "baby" is not a punishment, Mr. Obama.

Blessings to you and your family, Sarah and Bristol.

May you and yours enjoy a long, fruitful life.

Monday, September 01, 2008

A Conspiracy Under Every Drop of Water...

I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that this woman was one of the moonbat protesters present at the Convention today:

Convention Notes...


As you may have gathered from listening to the news, today's Gustav-abbreviated RNC convention was not so much about what was happening inside, but more of what was happening outside.

For some great reporting of the mayhem, may I direct you here, here, here and here.

I have some video of the Anarkids myself having been ambling through their festivities on my way to the "X", but as of now I'm not able to transfer the video from the webcam to my computer.

But since my blogging brethren did such a bang-up job reporting on the antics of the moonbats, may I direct you to a little bit of the human interest that was happening inside the hallowed convention halls.

First of all, a bit about "blogger's row" at the convention. What it is, mainly is a nosebleed section of the XCel, with a bar, a railing, and some bar stools. There were very few outlets available to plug in a laptop; not that it would do any good anyway, since the XCel just happened to be void of wi-fi.

Now that you know what it was like for the hoi polloi, may I direct you to some nicer digs...

Now remember, with my creds, I shouldn't have been able to access this area. But due to the honest mistake of a well-meaning volunteer who guided me in the wrong direction, I got a chance see how the other half lives:

First, let's begin at the CNN suite:


A peek inside reveals posters of all the CNN stars; Wolf Blitzer, Soledad O'Brien, and Thomas Roberts are featured...
I had to take a double-glance; at first I thought they were Che Guevera posters.

Now on to the NBC suite, where we see where they get their faces powdered:


And let me tell you, those make-up booths were equipped for any contingency; for instance, if Brian Williams needed to go incognito, the NBC makeup artist was ready with none other than

A collection of fake moustaches.

Atlas at Atlas Shrugs has some similar experiences.

I have to go to my day job tomorrow, but I'm heading for the XCel again tomorrow evening; I'll likely be taking a personal day on Wednesday and Thursday, as well.

Democrats: There is a God.

So classy, and so caring of humanity, those democrats.

Real Hope for Change in America...

Check out this thread.