Creeps and Liars.......Act I

Link over here and read it.

Money quote: "And expect a ton of those nasty spam type emails attacking Obama to flood your in-boxes that are usually meant for Hillary."

Guess what I received in my inbox this morning? Yep, an email about Obama.

I first thought it was a parody from The Onion or perhaps even Landover Baptist. Unfortunately, it is a serious email.

The email was pretty bad. The body of the message contained a lot of stuff like this:

Are you aware that Obama's middle name is Mohammed? Strip away his nice looks, the big smile and smooth talk and what do you get? Certainly a racist, as plainly defined by the stated position of his church! And possibly a covert worshiper of the Muslim faith, even today. This guy desires to rule over America while his loyalty is totally vested in a Black Africa!

I think that the Rush Limbaugh types would much rather see Hillary Clinton end up the Democrat nominee, she is easier to bash and her negatives are oh so high. But a lot of people out there must really hate Obama. It's either that or racism is not dead in American.

To those who would even think to send out emails like this: Remove me, un-suscribe me, delete me, take me off your email list, just don't send me anymore junk like this. No, wait a minute, keep me on that list, it lets me know what you are up to.

McCain's New Ad

The True Ozarks

Thanks to the Ozark Daredevil for an interesting post about the "True Ozarks".

I think the "True Ozarks" started dying after the construction of Tablerock Dam.

I started a new blog, Ozark View Points which will feature True Ozark photos and history.

I have some photos up there right how. The old farm house in the photo belonged to my neighbor, Jack Pettijohn. That is him and my son in the photo which was taken about 15 or 16 years ago. The farm house had not been changed since it was built in 1909, except for electricity was added to it. Unfortunately, it burnt down this last Spring. It was devastating, burned to the ground, flue fire. Went out to chop firewood, and came back the house was on fire. Burned to the ground. It was rebuilt this summer on the same foundation. I will post pictures of the new home later.

Just Waiting For The Caucuses To Start,,,,Obama and Huckabee Projected Winners

Anedotal evidence from Tim Russertt more women, more independents, more young people than voted in 2004. Large numbers, one polling place in West Des Moines had 84 in 2004, 250 plus tonight.

Obama and Huckabee win in Iowa. Well, not really a definative win, but they got more delegates than their opponents. It's not even 50% plus 1.

Some news person said Obama and Edwards were the anti-clinton candidates because 66% of the caucus goers voted against Hilary. Well, the same holds true for Obama and Edwards.

Romney proves that, like Steve Forbes, you can't buy Iowa. It also helps to have 60% of the Republican Caucus goers be evangelical Christians.

It is 8:52 pm, cst, the Iowa caucus winners have been projected. Andrew Sullivan said it best: "In the end, voters want real people with actual arguments in order to change the country. That's why Huckabee and Obama have prevailed. They're real. The establishments of both parties lost." We now return to our regularly scheduled programing.

Down To The Wire In Iowa.....Noun, Verb, 9-11

Tonight's the big night. Senators Clinton, Edwards, and Obama are in a dead heat. Thompson and Guiliana seem to be fading fast. The battle is between Romney, McCain and Huckabee (we still think his name would be great for a restaurant chain: "Huckabee's" as the following photo shows, they've already got the shirts: Then comes this ad, remember noun, verb, 9-11? It worked for Bush, will it work for Rudy? BTW,it's a real ad. The Washington Post has an article about the Iowa caucuses that lists 8 questions Iowa could answer tonight. And you know how us bloggers love lists. The article is here. The Post is also reporting a story about a Obama / Biden deal. Andrew Sullivan talks about that here. Sullivan thinks it would be a good ticket. I don't know, I don't think the American people are ready for a Obama/Biden ticket. It looks too too close to Osama Bin Laden...I mean, didn't Romney call him that? Osama Obama or something like that? I just googled it, it wasn't Romney, it was Rush Limbaugh, the Romney fan from Cape Girardeau. Read about it here.. We knew Romney had something to do with Obama and Bin Laden, look at this post from last July.

Airstreams, Easy Rider and Otto Ernst Rayburn

An Airstream trailer and a Ford Station wagon are shown in front of the Atomium in Brussells, Belgium. Built for the 1958 World Expo, the Atomium is made of polished aluminum as are Airstream trailers. Some readers might confuse the Atomium with a Rock-O-Plane.

And now, the best song from "Easy Rider":

Below is a photograph of Otto Ernest Rayburn, a collector of Arkansas and Ozark folklore. The photograph was taken in April 1946, probably in Eureka Springs, Arkansas where he maintained an office and sold real estate. Rayburn edited a magazine of Ozarks folklore and places about this time. Some readers might confuse him with Vance Randolph or even Will Rogers.
Courtesy of Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville

Need Help In Locating Blog......

I was over at Life Of Jason reading the post about his new digs and how he was hunting new haunts to haint. I posted a comment on what I considered to be the best Italian restaurant in Springfield, ever: Napolitano's. It was on Walnut Street just west of Jefferson.

They didn't have a liquor license but customers could bring in their own wine. Many a night we would sit in their vinyl covered booths, eat pasta and drink red wine. Good memories.

My wife and I went thrift store shopping today. There are always interesting things to find at thrift stores and flea markets. I will buy almost anything except clothing with people's names written on the tags in magic markers. Just can't do that. We went to a flea market on West Trafficway west of the Salvation Army store, way west, it was next to Stubb's RV (remember Stubb's? It was the place in Springfield for Holiday Rambler parts.)

Browsing the booths, we saw one booth had sweatshirts commemorating the Christmas Train. Remember the Christmas Train? Every year Burlington Northern employees would donate their time to decorate a freight train with lights and Christmas decorations and run the BN route through Southern Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma if memory serves me correctly.

I remember once driving home to Springfield and seeing the train on the tracks that run parallel to highway 60. It was quite a sight. That train was a neat thing. Does anyone else remember it?

My wife and I also remembered the Sycamore Inn, a coffee shop/ restaurant that was located at the SE corner of Glenstone and St. Louis. It was one of the few eating establishments open after the bars in Springfield closed.

The Cat and Fiddle, I saw the sign that graced their building in a flea market here in Springfield somewhere. When my grandparents would come to Springfield to visit us back in the 1960's, my grandfather and I would sneak away for refreshment there. The drinks were the cheapest in town. Across the street was the original Casper's and a little Brown Derby, barely big enough for a beer cooler. It was just a little bit bigger than the liquor store in Galloway.

Somewhere I came across a blog that talked about these old landmarks in Springfield, but I can't seem to remember where I came across it and I can't find it anymore.

My wife just hollered, remember the restaurant that used to be in Heer's! Yes I do, it was on the second floor. I got my first suit from Heer's. I wanted one from Marx but my folks had a charge card from Heer's.

That same flea market where I saw the Christmas Train sweatshirts I saw a blown up photo of the Springfield Stock Yards. Now a metal recycling place occupies the space.

One thing in Springfield hasn't changed: since 1958 the Pizza House, tucked away in a strip mall at Glenstone and Bennett, serves the best thin crust pizza in Springfield. Cravin' Pizza across from Sam's on East Sunshine almost duplicates it, but the original is hard to beat. My wife has been eating there since they first opened, I got started on it in 1964. great pizza.

btw,my new best friends are in the running for Plunger Award of 2007

Bush / Huckabee

Read the full post, complete with video, here.

There is no question that the Republican "establishment" is having serious trouble getting excited about Mike Huckabee's run for President.

To put it mildly.

But in 2000, most of the same folks who are now trying to stop Huck by citing his "inexperience" quickly got behind George W. Bush's run for President.

Why?

We don't personally dislike George W. Bush but let's be honest - In 1999 the sum total of George W's qualifications for President were 1. I'm a successful manager of a weak executive office (Texas), 2. I beat alcoholism, 3. I've found God, 4. I never really ran a successful business and 5. My daddy was President.

That's it. No matter what Rove/Hughes/Bartlett and company said.

Noted: We laugh at Will Ferrell's portrayal of candidate Bush because it's so damn funny (read: accurate). Not because we're a sniveling liberal who doesn't take anything seriously.

But seriously, even folks who don't like Huck must (should) admit that Huckabee's qualifications to be President are at least as strong as Bush's were.

So why does the GOP establishment that that now slams Huckabee get so quickly behind Bush in 1999?

We think that if your answer (prominently) includes Bush's bloodline, Bush's money and his family's connections well, you're on to something.

Which shows the raw hypocrisy (and elitism) of the Republican Party's leadership.

Which is pure poison for the long-term health of an organization that is spread out across several economic and social demographics.

We're just saying.

New Year's Eve 2008 Bus Trip To Jordan Valley Park To Watch The Fireworks! What A Grand Time! Part 1

Anna's thinking, "Do I really want to get on the bus with these people?" Kristin can't wait to get her coat on, Daniel is still looking for his other glove. (hint: Check your other pocket.)
Austin says, "I got the best seat in the bus! Little Jim points to the Sara Lampe sticker on the bus and says, "I voted for her!"
Sara in her pink New Year's coat getting on the bus.
Zach, The artist who also coaches girls soccer and representing The New Mexico contingent boards the bus.
Anna's got her coat and hat on and is ready to go on a bus ride!
Uncle Bartlett.
"Hey, it's so hip to be square!"
Callie, the hostess with the mostest!

New Year's Eve 2008 Bus Trip To Jordan Valley Park To Watch The Fireworks! What A Grand Time! Part 2

A bus full of happy people getting ready to ring in 2008!
Austin wearing Uncle Bartlett's hat. (Now we know why Uncle Bartlett wears a hat.)2008 New Year's kisses
Zach gives the thumbs up while two girls hug.
New Year's Laughter. We all had a grand time!
Jim and Kristin smile for the camera while Austin can't keep his eyes off of the fireworks.
A Bus full of happy people join for A New Year's toast!Heading back to the bus barn!