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The Power of Prayer

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

I’ve been feeling rather strange lately. The day before yesterday, Glenn Beck started making sense to me. I’ve found myself growing intolerant of certain types of people, mainly blacks, browns, yellows, gays, Jews, Arabs, Hindus, Buddhists, Rastafarians, Pastafaraians and vegetarians. I’m having trouble seeing why anyone but me should get health care. Public education has been revealed to me for the socialist plot that it is. I feel that I have the god given right to tell women I don’t even know whether they can have an abortion or not, and the right answer always appears to be “not”. I’m fairly certain that the founders of this country conceived of it as a Christian nation, no matter what they said or thought on the subject. I’m attracted to the idea of letting someone like Rush Limbaugh do my thinking for me.

These feelings come and go. At times I revert back to my liberal, pro-thought ways, but it’s getting harder and harder to hold on. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what was happening. Then, a friend drew my attention to this website, and the mystery was solved. I’ve been adopted:

Liberty Counsel is proud to introduce — and invite you to participate in — a vital new prayer program solidly built upon St. Paul’s admonition to pray for our national leaders:

…

Since the landmark 2008 general election, there can be no doubt that a very large percentage of our Nation’s leaders have a liberal mindset. The undeniable fact is that the 111th Pelosi-Reid Congress and the Obama Administration demonstrate a far left political philosophy. And since the President nominates federal judges and Justices of the United States Supreme Court, the judicial branch of government could take on a decidedly more liberal bent as the Obama Administration wears on.

Liberty Counsel has therefore named this special new prayer-in-action program Adopt a Liberal. And that’s exactly what we invite you to do — adopt a liberal who is in authority for regular, intense prayer in accord with St. Paul’s admonition to his disciple, Timothy. In fact, we expect that many of our friends and supporters will choose to adopt many liberals as subjects of regular prayer!

There’s no doubt about it. I am being drawn from the sinful path of tolerance and open mindedness to the godly path of hate and dogma.

Some might say that it’s highly unlikely that I’ve been adopted, since the point is to pick a “leader”. Well, some people aim low. Not everyone has the godly cajones to take on a Hillary Clinton or a Keith Olbermann, or even (and she’s on the list) Olympia Snowe. I’m a perfect target for the unambitious.

I am still trying to resist, but I’m being ineluctably drawn into the bliss of non-thought. If I do not post again, you will know that god’s work has been done in my case, and the prayers of a believer have been answered by a righteous god.


Filed in Religion | | Comments (3)

The Day back to shilling for Simmons

Sunday, October 4, 2009

It looks like the New London Day is back into full Rob Simmons support mode, after a brief hiatus in 2006.

This time it’s Paul Choiniere, who starts today’s screed with the following line:

Rob Simmons is the new Barack Obama.

Reading on, we find that there are two points of similarity. Both men are of the species homo sapiens, and both had the idea, which apparently just struck Simmons out of the blue, of raising money on the internet, which no one other than everyone has thought to do. Choiniere express wonder and awe at the fact that Simmons is even using e-mail and youtube. The guy is an innovative genius.

Now, one might dismiss this as simple proof that Choiniere is totally clueless about campaign fundraising trends of the past — let’s say 6 years, to be charitable. He might be interested to know that scarcely a day goes by that an email from one or more political candidates land in my in-box, including from Chris Dodd, at whose website you can also view those uber-innovative video thingies.

But, if we give Choiniere a pass, if we assume utter internet cluelessness, what can we make of this:

Where things could get dicey for Simmons is whether to grab for the big special interest money that will be there for the taking if it appears he has a credible chance at knocking off Dodd. Doing so would neutralize one of his greatest weapons against the Democratic incumbent – criticizing the vast amounts of campaign donations Dodd, chairman of the banking committee, has received from the banking and insurance industries his committee oversees. If Simmons turns to the same, or even different, deep-pocket special interest groups, such criticism of Dodd will sound hypocritical.

Simmons’ campaign manager dodged the issue of whether Simmons will welcome large, special interest and political action committee donations, or stick with the grass-roots variety.

Apparently, there’s another internet thingie Choiniere doesn’t know how to use. Some refer to it as “the Google”. In ten minutes he might have found that the first thing Simmons did after starting his campaign was hold a few “meet and greets” with lobbyists (why you can read about it here and here, among other places). Now, you can believe that these functions had nothing to do with trying to raise money, as Simmons claimed, but that would be requiring you to achieve a level of cluelessness far beyond what Choiniere demonstrates in this column. You might also, using the same Google, look here and see that Simmons has already raised money from PACs, including the National Rifle Association. True, he didn’t raise millions, but that’s because he did a pathetic job of raising money overall during the only reporting period to which we have access. See, I just did what’s called research. I know I’m just a pathetic, irresponsible blogger, and not a member of the responsible press corps, but this is the kind of thing I try to do on a regular basis before asserting a fact, or, in this case, shilling for a political candidate in the guise of reportage. I freely admit I’m a partisan, by the way, something which Choiniere ought to think about doing.

Anyway, Paul, you should get one of your interns to show you how to use “the Google”, it’s really handy.

Finally, if they dodge a question of whether they will accept money from certain sources, that means they fully intend to accept money from those sources, assuming it’s on offer. That’s just common sense, which doesn’t require anyone to be as cynical as me.


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Greetings from up North

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Some months ago we made plans to come up to Maine in the fall, and this is the weekend we picked. As I write this I am sitting in a hotel room in Ogunquit, Maine. This hotel is supposed to have free wireless, and it is free, on the rare occasions when one can get a signal. I suspect that they can get away with such poor service because, judging by what I’ve seen so far, I’m one of the youngest people staying here, and I’m definitely entering my geezer years. Most of the folks here are probably blissfully unaware of the internet and it’s many uses.

So, I don’t know when this will be posted. Maybe tomorrow (I’m writing on Friday Night). This means no Friday night music, since I can’t explore at youtube, and I couldn’t post if I had anything.

This also means that I’m pretty ignorant of what’s going on out there, except I do know that the right is exultant because Chicago is not getting the Olympics. American mystery: why is it okay for Republicans to trash talk people in the Reason Belt, but it’s a mortal sin for us folks to point out the deficiencies of the folks down there in the Stupid Belt?

Anyway, let me tell you about my day, which was actually very nice. We left Connecticut at around 9:00 AM and arrived at Portsmouth, NH about noon, after which we took our time, eating and drinking up the coast.

First stop, the Portsmouth Brewery (and pub) which is readily identifiable from its distinctive sign:

We had the Black Cat Stout, shown here next to a glass of water for comparison purposes:

How could I not like this place? If I lived in Portsmouth, this would definitely be the place of choice for a Drinking Liberally Chapter. Check out the wall:

Yes, that’s Barack there on the left. It was well nigh impossible to get a glare free shot. Not only is the place politically correct, but someone there is into bicycles, an avocation of mine. Where else can you buy fresh brewed beer and American made bicycle socks?

Next on to a chocolate shop for some chocolate covered anything, where we also bought, believe it or not, 10 dark chocolate donkeys, to be sold at an upcoming local Democratic fundraiser.

While we were waiting for the donkeys to be manufactured we visited the former home of one William Whipple, one of the more obscure signers of the Declaration of Independence. It’s one of the few remaining wooden structures in the center of Portsmouth, wood construction having been banned by an intrusive government after two devastating fires. This house survived both fires, along with the horse chestnut tree planted by Whipple from a chestnut he brought home from Philadelphia. I am now the proud owner of a chestnut from this venerable old tree, and I’m contemplating planting it somewhere in my yard. The house has a magnificent view of the water, but it was designed to have the grander views facing back, toward the garden, because when it was built the water was just a place to work and, in any event, the view was blocked by a warehouse belonging to Whipple and his successors. Here’s the house, with the massive, beautiful chestnut tree on the right.

Once we picked up our donkeys we headed north for Ogunquit, stopping only at the Pie in the Sky Bakery to get-what else-pie (and a cookie).

Here’s the view from the balcony off our room.

It was extra low tide when we got there. We took a walk on a huge sandbar, and lo and behold, a message did appear on the sand:

This was not my doing. Yes, I am relentlessly political, but it wasn’t me. I’m not accusing anyone, but my spouse was the only other person around.

It is my understanding that tomorrow is going to be just peachy. According to the last weather report, there may be a thunderstorm in the morning, but things will then settle down to an incessant, drenching rain. If this prediction pans out, it will significantly limit the photographic opportunities, perhaps to the relief of readers of this blog. On the other hand, if it does rain all day, we’ll probably take the opportunity to find a coffee house or something that has actual internet service, where I can inflict this post on the internet.

Pre-post update: It is now Saturday, and it is indeed raining incessantly. We are in the hotel’s dining room, where we can indeed get a signal.

Post Post Update: I guess I put my foot in my proverbial mouth, at least according to one commenter, regarding William Whipple, signer of the Declaration of Independence, etc. I continue to be amazed at the internet. I’m sure the Mr. Whipple who commented has never read this blog before, but no doubt through the power of Google was made instantly aware of my mention of the historical Whipple, who assume is his ancestor. Anyway, I appreciate the information in the comment.


Filed in Pictures | | Comments (1)

Yet another announcement

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Teri Roper, a loyal Groton Dem, has started a new career, or at least a new avocation, as a filmmaker.

She has produced a number of programs which are cablecast on Comcast in Groton, as well as Thames Valley (the public option). She has two programs that will be played on both systems public access channels at the following times:

Afghanistan: The Adventure Continues
Sunday, Oct. 4th at 9:00pm
Wednesday, Oct. 7th at 3:00pm
Monday, Oct. 12th at 6:30pm

Potluck Politics
Tuesday, October 6th at 10:00pm
Wednesday, October 14th at 3:00pm
Sunday, October 18th at 9:00pm


Filed in Announcements | | Comments (0)

Your monthly reminder

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Once again it is my duty to remind our liberal drinkers that it is time to drink again. Tomorrow night we can look fondly back to our October meeting, the last one before the 2008 election, when we were talking about Sarah Palin and Tina Fey. In fact, if memory serves, our meeting either took place the same day as the vice presidential debate, or we watched Tina parodying it. The two were so much alike.

Anyway, tomorrow it is, October 1, 2009, 6:30 PM at the Bulkeley House, Bank Street in New London.


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Global Denying Chamber is on the Defensive

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

It is often the case that there are underlying trends that are at odds with what we see on the surface. For at least 20 year, for instance, the right wing fundamentalists dominated the legislative debate about homosexual rights, and yet somehow, below the surface, gay marriage (of all things) picked up an almost unstoppable momentum. What seemed unthinkable now seems inevitable.

The Congress is about to take up climate change legislation, and the odds are that any bill it produces will be inadequate for the job. In the meantime, there may be a sea change going on in the nation at large, as more and more people whose salaries to not depend upon misunderstanding global warming start to step forward and say that enough is enough.

The Chamber of Commerce has, for reasons that defy logic, been a global warming denier for years. It is an issue upon which one would assume it should be agnostic, since it supposedly represents the interests of all businesses, many of whom would make piles of money should we effectively address this issue. After all, if it will indeed be an expensive problem to address (which is probably not the case) that money has to fill someone’s pockets.

But the good news is that the Chamber is now playing defense on this issue. Major corporations are leaving the organization. True, at the moment, they are corporations led by people whose salaries very much depend on them believing in global warming, but now Nike, which has no direct financial interest in the issue, is half joining them, by resigning from the Board of Directors. Just as in the past, the forces of ignorance may get all the surface attention, but the forces of reason may be winning below.

Unfortunately, the world could wait for acceptance of gay marriage. It’s not at all clear that it can wait long enough for the good guys to prevail on this one. Still, it’s good news to see that the Chamber is now denying its denials.


Filed in Environment | | Comments (0)

Dodd to be in Colchester on Saturday

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

A Colchester resident passes on the news that Senator Dodd will be at the Polish Club in Colchester for a pancake breakfast at 9:00 AM on Saturday. Apparently, he’s robo-calling local Democrats to invite them to join him.

The club is located at 395 South Main Street. We’ve gone to events there in the past, but we’ll miss this one, since we’re heading up to the great state of Maine this weekend


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A Brilliant Young Journalist

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

A clip from The Young Turks, interviewing a journalist who shares my last name, and bears the burden of half my DNA.

We only find out about these things from our Google alert, since he would never tell us about it. It’s a strange world when a multi-billion dollar corporation sends you emails to let you know what your kid is doing.

Anyway, this being my blog and all, I figure I have every right to show him off a bit. The interview makes reference to an article he wrote for the Globe about the fact that Congress can’t manage to get anything else done while Max Baucus is destroying any chance we have to reform health care.


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Senator Dodd to do live video blog tomorrow

Monday, September 28, 2009

This received via email from ctblogger:

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up that Senator Dodd will be
doing a live video blog on MLN tomorrow at 5PM.

As like last time, Dodd will be answering questions from the MLN
community so PLEASE leave a question for the senator in the comments
section of announcement post (at the following link).

http://tinyurl.com/yelj6md

For those who might now know, “MLN” stands for My Left Nutmeg.

Senator Dodd held a conference with some bloggers this past Saturday. I couldn’t attend for a variety of reasons, not least of them being my reluctance to traverse 91 South with the Baldwin Bridge being restricted to one lane. My particular ring of hell will consist of a highway full of cars, creeping along forever at 3 miles an hour.


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Fuzzy math, indeed

Monday, September 28, 2009

Over at fivethirtyeight.com, Nate Silver has kicked up a bit of controversy over polling done by Strategic Visions. He makes a compelling case here that there is something very suspect about their results. He makes an even more compelling case here that at least one of their polls has results that are patently absurd. In the first instance, he makes his point mathematically, in the second by I guess what you would call induction, or is it deduction?

Meanwhile one of his co-bloggers has piled on a different polling company, Prince & Associates, a company that polls rich people.

The patently absurd poll struck me as fairly obviously made up. It purports to show that Oklahoma high school students are abysmally ignorant about basic civics questions (e.g., what is the basic law of the land; what are the names of the two major political parties). While I’m quite willing to believe many Oklahomans are dumb (after all, both their senators are very dumb), I, like Nate, and unwilling to believe that they are that dumb (only 23% know George Washington was the first president?) and that (according to the poll) none of them are well informed enough to answer eight out of 10 basic questions.

The larger point is that these polls are often taken for legal tender, no questions asked, by those that purvey the results to the public. In the case of Prince & Associates, the Wall Street Journal uses their results. Strategic Visions spreads its product all over the country, like manure on a farmer’s field. It’s hard to fault the press for assuming that these people are not just making things up, but these articles show that in order to do its job, the press must not just pass on the numbers, but must have some sort of peer review process to make sure that bogus numbers don’t enter the discourse. At the very least, any pollster that refuses to be transparent regarding its polling methodologies and raw data should be ignored.

These folks (and, of course, they appear to have a rightward slant) are in one sense merely misrepresenting reality. In another sense, they are shaping it. If, for instance, George Will likes what Strategic Visions has to say, he will repeat it, and it will become conventional wisdom, against which no mere fact can stand.


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