[No subject]

I've vented way too much about Libya, but the last 24 hours and proven just as farcical as the previous three weeks have. Andrew Sullivan is shocked, shocked I say that President Obama has ordered covert assistance be given to the Libyan Rebels and is probably just as shocked that the CIA has teams on the ground in Libya.

Me, I'm stunned at the apparent naiveity of the American media and even more astounded that we seem to be announcing these things. Surely, if it's 'covert aid' then it should be, I don't know... secret?

We can debate the pros and cons of intervention in Libya until we're blue in the face, but the fact remains that in issues foreign or domestic, if the President makes a decision, he shouldn't be so damned half-assed about it. Don't start dropping bombs unless you want to go all in. You can't just hover on the edge of the pool. It makes me crazy that we look so stupid right now. This isn't leadership, it's war done by argument and it's really pissing me off.

It's very simple: of course the aim is to get rid of Qadafi. So slap a no-fly, drop some bombs and then given the Libyan people every possible tool they need to finish the job and then get the hell out of dodge.

Seems simple to me.

The First Plan

The First Redistricting Plan was released today and I haven't heard much in the way of early reaction to it yet, but I know the more I look at it, the more I like it. It's very sexy and symmetrical. Two Republican Congressmen (King and Latham) and Two Democratic Congressmen (Loebsack and Braley) get thrown together in the new 4th and 1st Districts respectively. 3rd District Rep Boswell has to be feeling all right about this as well, as he gets to keep Polk, Dallas and Warren Counties and gets Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County thrown in for good measure- I don't think that guarantees him a win in 2012, but it could have been a lot worse.

As for the Second District: I'm not hating it. Democrats will probably loathe and detest it- as it splits up Johnson and Linn Counties- two of what I'd imagine would be the most Democratic Counties in the State, but we picked up Newton and the Quad Cities in the bargain and generally speaking, urban areas tend to trend more towards moderation. (Though come to think of it, that isn't always true necessarily: Michelle 'CrazyPants' Bachmann represents a healthy chunk of the northwest Twin Cities Metro area.) Should this plan go through, I think the 2nd District will become tougher, but not impossible for Democrats and easier but not a sure thing for Republicans. So there's balance there again. Very sexy.

In fact, I love this plan. It's a nice, balanced plan that seems to trend towards an even split in Congressional seats. 2 Democrats and 2 Republicans (I'm betting 1 and 3 go Democrat and 4 and 2 Republican) and with a split between our Senators it seems to be promoting something sensible and quintessentially Iowan: balance and moderation.

I like it.

Dr. House Sings The Blues...

...coming in May. Along with Lady Gaga's new album. Which are you more excited for, kids?

Meanwhile In The Ivory Coast...

...the ugly little conflict that the World is carefully ignoring, rebels are advancing towards the capital, as the two would-be Presidents continue their war of words.

Think the Ivory Coast doesn't matter? Noticed the price of your Snickers bar lately? It's the leading supplier of cocoa to the entire world... (and no, I don't know if there's been a price spike in chocolate. I tend not to notice that quite as much as I do with gas.)

Greens To Govern

...in the German State of Baden-Wurtemburg anyway. The State Elections this past Sunday there saw the Green Party ride to power on a huge wave of anti-nuclear sentiment that followed after the Earthquake and the now ongoing crisis at Fukushima. This was a huge blow to German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Coalition- and an especially vicious one, as Baden-Wurtemburg has long been a bastion of her perty, the CDU- for the past 58 years.

Now the big question: can the Greens govern?

(Another question: Will Merkel's Coalition survive?)

Caught On Tape

Does no one think about hidden cameras anymore? Former SEIU Official Stephen Lerner was caught on tape talking about a plan to crash the Stock Market, bring down the economy and redistribute wealth all to revitalize the Labor Movement.

I'll believe this when i see it.

Must Be The Money

Interesting news from the Twin Cities today- looks like Penn State has decided to add varsity hockey to their roster of sports and as a result, Minnesota is bolting the WCHA (which it helped to found in 1952) to help form Big 10 Hockey.

Big 10 rules require at least 6 schools have the sport before it can be eligible for a conference tournament, so we should have one up and running by 2014 it looks like. But it begs a question: will more Big 10 schools follow?

I think it'd be interesting. I'd certainly be a fan if Iowa had a hockey team. I've been to one hockey game thus far in my life and enjoyed it immensely. We've got some local presence for the sport with the Rough Riders up in Cedar Rapids but I'm just not sure how big hockey could be at Iowa.

(Oh and the naysayers are entirely correct: this is all about the Benjamins. If you have a television network for your conference, you've got to feed the beast somehow. So why not a hockey tournament?)

Hmmmm....

Irish Whiskey sales are booming, says MSNBC.

I've got a ways to go before I have to re-stock on good whiskey. There's some of that beautiful Glenmorangie Lasanta left to drink and there's some Templeton to get through. I managed to work my way through the old standby Glenlivet and some nice, locally produced stuff from Cedar Ridge up north of here. But, as always, I've started pondering my options for the next buy.

I'm not going to lie: I'm having a serious love affair with Glenmorangie's line... but I've also toyed with diving into Balvenie... but now, I have to wonder about Irish Whiskey. This bears further research...

Happy Birthday, Italy!

Italy celebrates 150 years of unification today and as with a lot of European countries, it seems that there are times where the nation can be less of a nation and more of a family squabble than anything else- and Italy's famous North-South divide is still apparent, even 150 years after Garibaldi.

I'd like to go back to Italy. Rome was amazing- between the food, the history and the wonderful fact that we walked everywhere down these narrow, winding streets that always seemed to be hiding surprise after surprise around every corner. (My Roman Holiday Faves: Santa Sabina, The Pantheon, The Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, the food, the wine and most importantly of all, the gelato.)

But there's also more to Italy worth seeing. I'd like to go to Venice and I'd really like to see the Palio in Siena. That's definately on my bucket list.

Happy Birthday, Italy- if I can find a Peroni when I'm out on the town tonight, rest assured I'll raise a toast to you!

Iowa Gets Gonzaga

While the Iowa men are rebuilding and bubbling along nicely, the Iowa women have earned themselves a 6 seed and a trip out west for a big, big test against hometown team (and 11 seed) Gonzaga...

Iowa State and Northern Iowa managed to score themselves a 7 seed and 13 seed respectively, so Iowa is well represented in the Women's Tournament this march.

(Oh and in a shout-out to City High... looks like Iowa has Virginia Johnson to look forward to next season. Great player, should be an awesome addition to the women's team- and it looks like the Men have landed themselves a good recruit out of Georgia.)

Hang In There, Japan

Japan can't seem to catch a break. 3 explosions at 3 reactors at Fukushima so far and BBC has it that there's a fire at the 4th reactor. I've got a very bad feeling about all of this... (BBC's amazing live blog can be found here.)

Japan, I'm rooting for you. I don't speak a word of Japanese, I've never been to Japan, let alone Asia, but I think it's fair to say that as a nation, you've had the worst week ever and I'm thinking, praying and hoping that you get some good news really soon.

I Agree...

...with Bill Kristol on this one. President Obama's response to Libya has been disgraceful, there's no other word for it. We've gone way past the point of pathetic and this is an outright national shame. These people weren't asking for an invasion, they just wanted help. And maybe a no-fly zone. And we managed to help the Afghans chase the Soviets out by giving them Stinger missiles by the bucketload- not even a no-fly zone there.

What's happening in the Middle East is the most important foreign policy challenge the President is going to face. And he's fucking it up. I'm not a neo-conservative who thinks we should invade everyone for freedom, liberty, truth, justice and The American Way and all that crap, but these guys are asking nicely. We should send them more than a damp handshake and rhetorical drivel. We can do that at least.

First Wisconsin, Now Michigan

This is a little hardcore, even for my tastes. I've said it before and I've said it again, kids: we need sensible limits on public sector unions and they have to be willing to step up to the plate and help out. (Latest word out of Des Moines is that Our Perpetual Governor and His Party are contemplating a $100 surcharge on Health Insurance for everyone- that way everyone would have to pay a little something. I'm OK with that, should it happen- other people still pay a lot more.) Of course, the flip side to this happy little equation is that we have to strip out ALL corporate goodies from our tax code and subsidy system. No more tax money for obscenely large corporations.

Tax should be low for everyone, simple to do and there should be ZERO loopholes for people with money to get around.

That said: Michigan's plan for 'financial martial law' is a little much even for my tastes... OK, so you want to clean up your finances as much as possible- but you're not even going to ask citizens what they think? Voters don't get a voice? And how much money is going to feed the corporate vultures that hover over the political system and do as much damage as public sector unions do? Not cool. If I was a Michiganite, I might make a sign and start marching...

UND Mascot Controversy

This story has been rumbling around, especially in the Medium White North for a couple of years now, but it looks like it's finally coming to a head: the University of North Dakota has now officially found itself embroiled in a mess after the State Legislature passed a bill requiring the school to keep it's nickname, mascot and logo of 'The Fighting Sioux.'

Now, NCAA policy states that any mascot/team name/school name that might be seen as 'hostile or abusive' to Native Americans has to change their name or face sanctions- UND would not be able to hold post-season tournaments and athletes would not be able to where the logo and/or name on their uniforms. And UND officials are worried that the controversy might disrupt their planned move to the Big Sky Conference next year.

Where this gets messy: UND has decided to ignore the state senate, stating that it only takes it's marching orders from the State Board of Education and plans to drop the Fighting Sioux name are proceeding as planned. (For now. I doubt they'll get to thumb their nose at the legislature with impunity.)

I'm not sure what to make of this one. NCAA policy requires the sanction of the affected tribes (which is why Florida State gets to remain the Seminoles) but between North Dakota's two main tribes of Sioux- the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake, one has said 'sure' and the other has declined to even vote on the matter. So what do you make of that? Does North Dakota have to get the approval of ALL Sioux, everywhere to be incompliance with the policy? Or does the approval of one band of Sioux count? How, in a tribe- and God, I know that's probably the wrong word, let's say in a people as diverse and as widespread as the Sioux are do you get permission? Especially when a lot of them aren't IN North Dakota and probably won't care about UND athletics all that much.

Hmmmmmm.... I'm not really sure where I come down on this. I can see the argument that a lot of these team names (such as Braves, Squaws, Redskins) could be seen as derogatory and it does make you cringe to see a whole nation of cultures, traditions and languages reduced to a face on the side of a jersey- it seems to diminish Native Americans to a commodity and I've got to admit: I wouldn't enjoy being a commodity. Especially given how obscenely consumer-driven athletics has become.

That said: you can also flip the argument around and say that there's publicity, pride and yes, even a certain amount of tradition associated with these names for all concerned.

But I don't know... political correctness run amuck or decent attempt at cultural sensitivity? (And more to the point: does UND need approval from all Sioux, everywhere? Or just the Sioux in its state? Or will one group of Sioux do?)

Quake In Japan

I'm sure everyone's already heard about the major earthquake in Japan that happened last night... the BBC has had a liveblog running all day and the devastation just looks horrible.

If you want to help, check out the Red Cross- and in the meantime, Japan is in my thoughts and prayers today.

Sounding Better and Better...

Let's see here:
He's disclosing every donation he gets, whether he's required to or not.

He won't take more than $100 from anyone.

He won't take PAC-money from anyone.

He told a crowd in the middle of corn-happy, ethanol loving Iowa that he'd elminate the ethanol subsidy.

And he wants to eliminate oil subsidies as well.

Buddy Roemer, you've officially got me interested and then some. Keep this up, I might have to volunteer for you.

Late Night Chronicles 79: Sand In My Waffles

Cross-posted on Facebook just minutes ago...

The Obama Administration has spent the last month and a half waffling so much it should, by rights, own a whole chain of pancake and waffle houses by now. I've stopped watching the news as much as possible, because as Colonel Nutbag continues to unleash his airforce, tanks and assorted heavy weaponry against his own citizens, all the United States seems to be capable of doing is watching. And, of course, waffling.

Don't get me wrong: I'm not saying we go all Strangelove on the place and I get that the Middle East is an incredibly complex, delicate situation for any President to handle at the best of times, never mind when a whole generation of pissed off Arabs are waking up and wondering why their governments seem incapable of delivering even basic economic prosperity to anyone but themselves- but this is starting to get ridiculous. No, I take that back: ridiculous was reached two weeks ago. This is now descending to the levels of bad farce. Are we wracked by indecision? Are we incapable of making decisions now? Was it possible that the Secretary of State, who I'm sure is just doing the best she can, given the Waffler-In-Chief's apparent incapacity to do something, was correct in her assessment of the President just three short years ago? The phone has been ringing off the hook for all hours of the day (not just at 3 AM) for what seems like weeks now and nobody wants to pick up the phone and do something.

There's a whole host of tiresome arguments we can get through. We don't want to offend more Arabs. We don't want to offend Europeans, the United Nations, Russia, China, Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba or a whole host of other nations. We don't want to get involved in yet another mess in the Middle East. The old chestnut of 'it's not our business' and 'we can't be the world's policeman' seem to be starting to bubble up to the top of the pot as well. All the arguments put forth amount to little more that spurious dribble from an Administration that is looking like it needs a crowbar and several gallons of Vaseline to get it's foreign policy machinery into any semblance of coherent sanity at this point.

To whit: the Libyan Rebels aren't asking for the moon on a string. They've been tortured, beaten and oppressed for four decades now and understandably, they'd like the honor of hunting down Colonel Nutbag and all his merry men and stringing them up from whatever lamppost happens to be handy. They'd like weapons and maybe a no-fly zone. And here we come to the part that's making me absolutely nuts, kids: these are things we can DO! They're easy, easy things that don't involve sending troops into harms way and help people out that just want some semblance of an actual government for themselves for once. Am I crazy or wouldn't it be great if we helped Libya liberate itself and they said 'hey, thanks for those missiles, guys...' wouldn't it just give you a warm, fuzzy feeling to know that there are Arabs who remember that when the chips were down and they needed the help the United States didn't get all iHop about it and stepped up and actually helped?

And yes, I know, I know- that didn't work out so well for us in Afghanistan. We chased the Soviets out, gave them all the weapons they could possibly want and yeah, that's how we ended up with Osama Bin Laden. And yes, yes, yes, I know that a no-fly zone is not as simple as it seems and that there are risks to American lives there as well but knocking off Colonel Nutbag would be good for our interests in the region. Stabilizing Libya as quickly as possible: also good for our interests in the region. Given the fact that gas is now $3.49 a gallon, at least where I am, stabilizing a country that has a whole boatload of oil would also be good.

I can understand, given what's happened in Iraq and what's still happening in Afghanistan the Administration's unwillingness and hesitation about possibly getting drawn into yet another conflict in the Middle East. No one wants to see more American troops on the ground in yet another country over there- especially when all our fighting men and women aren't even home from Afghanistan and Iraq yet. So that's understandable. But here again, we run into the rage inducing part of all of this. The Libyan Rebels? They don't want boots on the ground. They've been saying this in I don't know how many different ways for weeks now. No foreign troops on Libyan soil. None, nada, zilch, not a single one- they just want some help. And given the fact that Colonel Nutbag has blown up airliners and killed American soliders in his time, I'm flabbergasted why we aren't jumping at the chance to get rid of him. Colonel Nutbag is a certifiable loon who will do who knows what to these rebels should, God forbid, he actually manage to grind them down and reclaim his country. It will, undoubtedly be a massacre. And if we stand by and do nothing we will be party to what will essentially amount to genocide.

That is totally unacceptable. International cooperation is always good in situations like these, but 'waiting for a UN resolution' isn't going to cut it. We all know that relying on the Security Council is code for 'we want to talk and condemn this douchebag as much as possible without actually doing anything.' Russia has pretty much made it clear they will veto any resolution and if by some crazy happenstance they don't then China probably will. The British and the French (and I'm sure the Italians, who aren't crazy about the thought of refugees pouring into Sicilly) seem interested in a no fly zone. So does the Arab League and even the African Union has made noises in that direction. Sit down with the EU. See what the Arab League and the African Union think and then slap that sucker into place. Popular Mechanics even made a point that sustained air strikes would probably do just as well, because if you destroy Colonel Nutbag's air force then it levels the playing field some and the Libyan Rebels- well, I think I'm going to start calling them the Libyan people, will actually have a fair fight on their hands.

And if, should the Waffler-In-Chief actually decide to get serious about doing something, he finds that the flirtations of the rest of the world amount to little more than cheap words and idle talk while Libya burns, then yes, the United States should stand alone. We should shake loose the rusted barnacles of Cold War realism from our foreign policy establishment and come down firmly on the side of self-determination, liberty, human rights and democracy. (OK, so that's like five sides. So as a nation, we do a lot of yoga. We're flexible.)

Should even that be beyond the courage of this Administration, then send band-aids and ammo. Lots of ammo. If we apparently lack the courage to make strong decisions and come down on the side of what's right, then the bare minimum would be at least something. And at this point, kids, the bare minimum would be a big step in the right direction.

Cap'n Crunch, 1963-2011

This makes me incredibly sad, but Quaker Oats has announced that it is no longer going to market Cap'n Crunch directly to children. This effectively marks the end for the veteran of the froth Sea of Milk that filled cereals bowls of children across this country. No more will Horatio Magellan Crunch and his trusty crew of children do battle with the Barefoot Pirate Jean Lafoote and fend off the evil Soggies that threatened to undo the stability of that wonderful cereal with every passing minute.

Yes, kids, an icon of my childhood is sailing into obscurity. I was a fan and will remain a devoted fan- CrunchBerries, Peanut Butter Crunch and yea, verily even the man himself Cap'n Crunch were all staples of my breakfast as a child and undoubtedly Stoners everywhere will mourn the loss of one of their staple foods.

However, for Eastern Iowans (and Cedar Rapidians especially should smile) there's a potential upside to all of this: if the Cap'n will no longer be around to make it happen, then there's the distinct possibility that Cedar Rapids might, just maybe, smell just a tiny bit better than it does right now.

I think Walt Whitman alone can do this sad event justice...

Chaos In Madison

Wisconsin Senate Republicans have slammed through provisions of Governor Walker's 'Budget Repair Bill' that strip collective bargaining rights from public workers in Wisconsin. This is all over the news, kids, so you've probably already heard...

This is precisely what I didn't want. We need big changes in this country and we need to firmly take both Republicans AND Democrats off of the teats of their respective special interests. I believe in low taxes for everyone, including businesses- and I believe in ending loopholes and subsidies that give multi-billion dollar corporations free taxpayer money. They don't deserve their sweetheart deals any more than public sector unions do. We need BOTH parties OFF the teat of special interests if we're to get anywhere close to fiscal stability anytime soon.

Democrats: stop frothing at the mouth and start going after corporate welfare, loopholes and subsidies... fair should be fair for everyone.

Oh and Althouse and Instapundit: stop, stop, STOP taking pot-shots at local law enforcement, please. (Here and here.) If you've got evidence that local police are involved in some kind of slowdown to let these protestors have their way with things up there, then produce it, but in the meantime, what are those cops supposed to do when a mob shows up? Start shooting? Officers have got to be able to look after their own safety as well as everyone else's and trying to hold back the mob is only liable to get them and protestors hurt. Which is what nobody should want.

If Eliot Spitzer...

thinks it's a good idea, then it's time to do something.

Disenfranchise The Young

Way to win the future, Republicans. It's bad enough the older generation is robbing my generation blind of any and all choices it might have in life, tying us down with student loan debts that while of our own making have somehow become an economic necessity if we want any shot a somewhat comfortable middle class existence and to top it all off, we get to pay for your retirement.

And now, they want to disenfranchise college students. Why? Well here's the money quote, kids:

New Hampshire's new Republican state House speaker is pretty clear about what he thinks of college kids and how they vote. They're "foolish," Speaker William O'Brien said in a recent speech to a tea party group. "Voting as a liberal. That's what kids do," he added, his comments taped by a state Democratic Party staffer and posted on YouTube. Students lack "life experience," and "they just vote their feelings."

Feelings? What feelings would those be? Irritation bordering on outright rage that my future is being taken from me by a bunch of self-centered, paternalistic narcissists? Those feelings?

I'd like to offer a counter-proposal: I think it should be illegal for anyone over the age of 40 to vote. People that old start to lose their mental capacity for anything resembling common sense so that when they do govern they waste time with social issues no one cares about instead of fixing the damn economy like they're supposed to be doing!

Badger 14 To Return?

Hmmm... the 14 missing Senators from Wisconsin might return soon to take the vote they've been avoiding for a couple of weeks now. The polls they're reading seem to indicate that if it passes, it'll be a big loss for Republican Governor Scott Walker and a big win for them. Somehow.

Of course, the cynic in me says that they've realized what a losing fight this was to begin with and just want to make themselves look good for then finally come crawling back.

Again: something's gotta give. I'm getting seriously tired of Republicans pushing their social agenda down my throat when the economy is in the state it's in. I really don't give a damn about gay marriage and not having a uterus it's especially hard for me to comment in any coherent way on abortion- though the thought occurs that if you want less abortions, defunding Planned Parenthood probably isn't the way to go, given the access to contraception they provide to women (and men) of all ages around the country. More condoms equals less abortions in my book- I just wish the Republicans would pull their heads out of their asses and well, agree with me. Because I'm right.

Back to my original point: something has to change. Teacher's Unions are standing in the way of meaningful reform and Boomer Pensions could seriously send the whole damn country over the cliff. The days of wine and roses are over for the Boomers and they're just going to have to suck it up and deal. Everyone else is.

Wow.

You don't see this often. But, in the closest race in the 98 year history of the Big Ten Wrestling Tournament, Penn State just nipped Iowa for the title- it's first. The margin: 1 whole point.

I'm not a huge follower of wrestling and if you don't think this is newsworthy consider this: in the 27 years I have been alive, Iowa has NOT been conference champion only 7 times and 6 of those times were in the last ten years alone.

Grrrr....

Kids, I'm pissed off. This administration has been particularly underwhelming when it comes to the field of foreign policy, especially these past two months with events in the Middle East, but enough is enough- news that we asked the Saudis if they could airlift weapons to the Rebels in Eastern Libya just really rubbed me the wrong way. We've got ships- a shitload of 'em right off shore. Pick up a phone, contact someone and send a damn boat full of weapons to Benghazi.

Why, why, WHY are we bowing and scraping to the Saudi Royal family? Jesus, I'm all for a humble foreign policy and I don't think it's especially neighborly to crash around the world slapping our national genitals into the face of every country we feel like, but this is getting ridiculous. We've got boats, planes and the best military in the world. If we're going to arm these people (and we should) then fuck the damn Saudis, load up the guns and get 'em to Benghazi already!

Can we have a foreign policy, please? Can someone in this administration grow a damn backbone and make a damn decision already? If we're going to arm them, then arm them! If we're going to take out Colonel Nutbag's air force- then what, I'd like to know are we waiting for? I believe in diplomacy and I believe in international cooperation- but those carrots are only effectively if you're willing to decisively and without hesitation use a stick when necessary. This is starting to degenerate into a national farce and I'm getting seriously tired of it.

Mr. President: stop waffling and do something.

Ru-roh, Raggy...

Saudi Arabia is anticipating some unrest (I can't imagine why. Seriously now, Wahabbi extremism is just so warm, fluffy and FUN.) so they've gone ahead and banned protest rallies just in case and are mobilizing something like 10,000 troops to the Shi'ite heavy provinces in their northeast just in case things get crazy.

Awesome. Gas jumps 30 cents in a week because Colonel Nutbag finally done pissed of his people for the last time- and our response? Sternly shaking our finger in his direction. If Saudi Arabia goes tits up, I'd imagine our dear allies in the House of Saud will just start shooting and if that doesn't take care of the problem, then imagine how high gas is going to get then.

And what's the President up to today?

Ah, excellent.

(Meanwhile, what are the British and French up to? This and this. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the Europeans are nutting up and doing something, but this just makes us look idiotic. Can we get a HOLLA and some coherent foreign policy in the house please?)

Dear Republicans,

Color me unimpressed. (Me and George Will.)

No one wants to say it, but the Republican bench is very, very shallow so far this cycle. I honestly don't think any of them can beat President Obama at this point and the one heavyweight they have, Sarah Palin is going to have to overcome perversely low expectations if she's going to compete in a general.

But this guy got my attention, kids. I'd like to know more, Mr. Roemer. You've intrigued me with your principled stand against special interests and corporate moneys... tell me more, please.

Iowa 67, Purdue 65

Nice. Very nice.

Might be a little too soon to say that all is right in the world of Hawkeye Basketball again, but this was one heckuva way to send off senior Jarryd Cole- who, to his credit has stuck with the program through some of it's worst years and ends his career here at Iowa on his third coach. I'd like to hope that Mr. Cole will end up doing some time in the pros and if there's any justice in the world, maybe he will- but one thing is for sure: Iowa fans have long memories- and they will remember Mr. Cole.

As for everything else: I've liked what I've been seeing all season and I think Gary Barta finally got it right this time. We've got some momentum heading into the Big 10 Tournament, Coach McCaffery is pounding the pavement looking for the recruits he wants and there's a sexy hint of optimism in the air. Good things might just be afoot.

In other words: turn, meet corner.

Albums2010 #36: Straight Outta Compton

Have you ever wondered if NWA was in fact, the Beatles of our generations? Tall Pale Redwood Man asked me this question some weeks ago and as I usually do I gave him a funny look and wondered why anyone could possibly want to even discuss that. Turns out, upon further reflection, it's a question worthy of discussion- though personally, I still don't think you can top the Beatles. Ever.

But NWA: Straight Outta Compton marks the first pure rap album to appear here on Albums2010 and I guess if you're going to pick a rap album, you might as well pick a damn good one. To me, the whole long, hard slog of gangster rap started here- with genuine, street-concious groups like NWA, Public Enemy, Tupac and Biggie- people who had seen the plight of the inner city up close and personal and wanted their art/music to speak to that experience. When Tupac and Biggie got themselves killed- the general quality of rap plummeted to a nadir that didn't really begin to revese itself until Kanye took the seen. Eminem was a breath of fresh air, to be sure- but this era of rap was revolutionary- and a true, radical, genre busting artist didn't blow up the rap scene until Kanye.

So what makes NWA so revolutionary? First and foremost, there's a gritty, unflinching realism in their lyrics that's surprising at times. Controversy aside, the song 'Fuck The Police' really spoke to a lot of people in their community tired of police brutality and corruption- and given what happened a bare four years later after the Rodney King verdit, NWA might have courted controversy with the song, but they seem positively prescient in hindsight. The title track as well provides an introduction to a community that many people ignored or overlooked- I mean, why pay attention to the problems of the inner city anywhere if you've got a nice little suburban life?

But when it comes to their gritty realism the track that really grabbed my attention was 'Dopeman.' A sort of day in the life story of a street-hustling drug dealer, it pulls no punches talking about the damage crack does to people and what people are willing to do for crack when addicted and really, it's hard to argue with an anti-drug message that says 'if you smoke 'caine you're a stupid motherfucker.'

Then of course, there's the most radio friendly of the tracks off this album- the ever popular, pretty kick-ass 'Express Yourself.' Which to me, remains the one 'must have' track from this album for non-rap fans. If you're a serious devotee of the genre, screw tracks: you should have this whole damn album. This is the Highway 61 Revisited of the rap world. No excuse not to have it.

Overall: gritty, hard realism that helped birth the genre of gangsta rap makes for a damn good album. Must have for any true fan of rap.

And We're Off...

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is set to dip his pinky toe into the waters of a Presidential run Thursday by announcing the formation of an exploratory committee- officially getting the race for the 2012 Republican nomination underway.

I suppose someone had to get this show on the road- so why not Newt? Everything seems to have been moving behind the scenes for the past few months, so it'll be refreshing to get some actual debating and campaigning going on. I'm not saying I'm particularly wild about the Republicans- there seems to be a populist-radical streak emerging in me these past few months that's getting wider. I don't just want to rein in public sector costs and unions- I want to cut sweetheart deals for big business. (The Quiet Man twigged me to this link, which shows that Iowa taxpayers subsidized $43 million in research to corporations last year that paid NO TAXES whatsoever. WTF? I don't think so..)

But what's interesting is that there's no clear front runner- and everyone's got some baggage. Romney is organized and has cash in the bank, but he also passed his own version of ObamaCare when Governor of Massachutsetts that included an individual mandate- which is going to be Kryptonite to any Republican this cycle. Barbour doesn't have a good national profile and has made some dubious comments on growing up in the South back in the day. Pawlenty is trying, but again, I'm not sure he's going to have people jumping up and down in excitement anytime soon. Palin is lurking- but Palin also has a lot of expectations to confound. And Newt? Well he's so 1995.

It's going to be interesting. Especially when you consider this.

Colonel Nutbag Strikes Back

Time to nip this in the bud. Even the Rebel Opposition is calling for UN backed airstrikes, so let's saddle up and do this thing- and by thing, I mean a no fly zone and some air support for these guys. Gas has gone up who knows how much in the past week and shows no sign of stopping and I can't afford to buy a horse to ride to work.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the Libyan people deserve more than our talk.

Nooks and Kindles…

Ah-HA! I had a brain wave just yesterday and figured out why I can't stand these new fangled e-readers- yes, it's because I become a luddite when it comes to books, but it also is because there's no way for me to put my existing books onto the new-fangled e-readers.

And even if there was, I would probably still disapprove.