Operation Chaos supported by Hammond report

Andy Hammond has tempted the ire of the left by coming out in support of Rush Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos". There have been many venomous comments left in response to his post. While I don't intend to participate myself (someone needs to chose OUR candidates for other offices), I must remind leftists that they have employed these tactics as well. Some liberal voters have been encouraged to vote for Romney before our Presidential contest was decided.

I don't feel great about the ethics of such maneuvers, but those who threaten legal action over this have little to go on. Montana has an open primary. I get both ballots before going into the booth to vote. Are you going to follow me in to see how I vote? Try it! We'll see who gets arrested.

Republican caucuses leave me cold

Here we are at "Super Tuesday" folks. Are you all as excited as I am? Maybe not. You see, regular voters like me who consider themselves Republicans get no vote this time around. Only Elected officeholders and party insiders get a voice. I can still vote in the primary, but the caucus results will be used no matter how the primary vote comes out.

Our beloved party switched to the early caucus because they failed to get the earlier primary they desired. It was more important to them that THEY be heard earlier in the process than for rank and file conservative voters to get that very vote. I'm not against an earlier primary, but I WANT A VOTE! Wyoming had caucuses even earlier in the year. I didn't see much attention coming their way. I know who won that one, but do you? Few do. If you know who won it, you know who I'm leaning toward supporting.

I intend to support ending caucuses in the future and return to a primary. If the party supports it, we can vote in February. I'd actually like to see a rotation of the order of the primaries. Let each state eventually get to be among the first. What's so great about Iowa and New Hampshire?

Chargers lead a division of losers

As of this posting, my Chargers are fresh off an undeserved win over the Colts. I still say they only won because I picked them to lose in the office pool. If it weren't for spectacular Sproles returning both a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns, the Bolts would have had no chance at all. Even with those gifts, they still had to get a missed chipshot field goal attempt at the end. Sheesh! Rivers is aweful and the running game isn't what I expect. LT can't run if there's no hole. He's good, but who's that good?

Since the Denver Donkeys beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead, the Chargers are in first. Big deal. Denver stinks and they ruined KC. Oakland is deserving the basement. None of them are going anywhere in the playoffs. Let me state what's obvious to any NFL fan. The Patriots are going to take it all. They're just too good.

It's almost that time of year!

Time to turn thoughts to another football season. May my Chargers go all the way this time. They certainly have the talent. I know there are many Denver Donkey fans out there who'd like to spoil things, but be prepared to get swept away. I think my boys have an excellent chance to win it all as long as Ladanian Tomlinson (quick prayer) stays healthy. The Chiefs are a minor threat and the Raiders seem to be a broken unit. I think the Colts are San Diego's biggest obstacle. Tom Brady & Co. are a concern as well.

Let's hear it for your team. Who's your money on? Who will improve the most? Who will be a disapointment?

The real inconvenient truth

Go to Craig's place and see this post by Gman on global warming:

http://www.mtpolitics.net/archives/5508-The-REAL-Inconvenient-Truth.html

Many of us agree the Earth is getting warmer. Some of us think it is a more natural thing than man made. The sun has a lot of input to this 'problem'. This piece also shows that a warmer planet causes higher CO2 levels- not the other way around. It's a long piece (presented by ACTUAL SCIENTISTS) but worth seeing if you really want to know what's going on. I'll warn you liberals that there are some 'inconvenient' facts included which will challenge your beliefs if you're honest with yourself.

Is Civility Dead?

I find the level of civility in discourse about politics to be falling into the gutter lately. It seems many are quite willing to belittle people who disagree with them and call them names. Both sides are quite willing to overlook facts if they are inconvenient and go for the throat of their political opponent. I'll not claim to be free of guilt on this point, but I try to avoid it and show at least a bit of respect for my opponent. My grandfather always told me to try to "be the better man" in an arguement. I try to remember that. Even if your opponent seems to deserve little respect, you'll feel better about yourself if you refrain from acting childish.
I'm not referring to any single person on this point. We need to debate positions and show each other courtesy. I find this lack of respect in a lot of places. Rush Limbaugh often disrespects people. He loses me when he stoops to that level. He's certainly not alone in doing this. Visit daily Kos and you'll find plenty there too. It alienates some and convinces few on the author's point. Unfortunately, it seems to be everywhere. It might help to admit when your debate opponent is right on some things instead of blindly ignoring their point while pursuing ideological superiority. That will lose you respect as well.
We have plenty of problems and concerns in our world today. Working toward coming together somewhere in the middle seems to be a better idea than the polarization that is happening now. Neither the "left" or "right" has all the answers. Most of us really aren't that extreme anyway. I agree with liberals on some points and conservatives on some others. It just seems counterproductive to fight each other so hard. We need each other if we are to do what needs to be done. Our nation would be better served if blatant partisanship died.

Missed Vacation!

Since I'm starting the new job with Century gaming, I felt I had to forego the planned family vacation to Puerto Vallarta and the five star Barcelo La Jolla hotel. My wife and son will enjoy the trip along with my sister-in-law. This place looks like a fabulous getaway. Too bad I have to miss it! I guess having the house to myself for a week will have to suffice. That will be nice in its own way. Maybe I can get a few rounds of golf in. Unfortunately, no local course will be as nice as the ones down there!