The American Idol Party

The Maine Democrat Party (aka, The American Idol Party) Convention is apparently running in typically f*cked up Democrat fashion, as the Obama delegates caused a major traffic jam with their late arrival at the Augusta Civic Center.

While check-in was to be completed by 9:00 am, the Millennial Kool-Aid Kids (affectionately known as Obama delegates) had trouble getting out of bed at such an early hour. Hence, check-in was extended to enable America's future leaders the chance to roll at their leisure.

Then, Michelle Obama's limo caused another major traffic snarl, further pushing back the essentials of the convention, namely, the caucusing.

[Michelle Obama whipping her husband's supporters into a frenzy]

America's future first diva made an unexpected, surprise appearance. The mercurial wife of Democrat front-runner, Barack "Barry" Obama, gave a spirited performance, ripping off Obama campaign standards, "Hillary Don't Sho' No Respect," "Back to the USSR," and the show-stopping, "Barack Is Just Alright Wit' Me." Several Obama delegates reportedly had to be taken out on stretchers, after they were slain in the spirit.

My wife texts that "the Androscoggin County delegates suck," so she's been adopted by the York County contingent.

It appears our Saturday evening dinner date is in jeopardy, a victim of Democratic politics.

Ad hominem radio

My wife is off to Augusta, waging battle with her fellow Democrats at their state convention. She'll have her hands full, as she is supporting Hillary, and the Obama-rama crowd will do all they can to push forward their American Idol candidate.

I've cooled on the presidential race, as all three candidates have become more and more disappointing, as the race has progressed. If the presidential election occurred today, I'd probably sit it out for the very first time in my life.

Beng a political junkie, it's very tough for me to ignore politics entirely, however. As I was out and about, running Saturday morning errands, I managed to listen to much of John McDonald's show, on WGAN-560. I even managed to place a call and shamelessly work in a plug for Moxietown. John's a gentleman, and a storyteller supreme. Most of the time, he manages to promote some reasonable debate, and respects his listeners.

The follow-up program, Inside Maine, with Phil Harriman (who is always absent, requiring a weekly guest host) and Barbara Merrill followed. This week's fill-in was Mike Violette, who is part of the left-right morning team of Ken (Altshuler) and Mike.

[Violette (R), plays Mutt, to Ken Altshuler's (L) Jeff]

Weekdays, Violette plays Altshuler's right-wing foil, regularly resorting to personal attacks, and ideological blathering on issues that more times than not, would benefit from a more nuanced approach. That's not part of WGAN's programming, as nuanced would be at the bottom of a list of characterisations befitting a lineup the likes of Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh (who at least has some entertainment value), and Bill O'Reilly, with few exceptions.

This morning, Violette took shots at credible Second District Congressman, Mike Michaud (calling him a "moonbat"), as well as 1st District Senate candidate, Laurie Dobson (can't remember the term used for another personal attack), and besmirched 75-year old psychologist, Dr. Herbert J. Hoffman, also running against the status quo candidates, Susan Collins, and Tom Allen. Hoffman's crime? He dared support Dennis Kucinich, which in Violette's book, is the equivalent of a political scarlet letter. Sadly, Kucinich was a candidate with integrity, and someone still in touch with his less than stellar origins, and people facing the economic challenges that he's managed to conquer.

WGAN is free to staff their programming with anyone they want. The market obviously supports their choice of hosts, like Violette, who cling desperately to ideology, rather than offering the kind of pragmatic solutions that Maine, and beyond, require. But then again, all he has to do is talk, and spew his attacks. He doesn't have to actually contribute something tangible towards making Maine a better place to live.

The arc of history

In today’s sound bite-obsessed culture, no one pays much attention to the ebb and flow of history. Last week is ancient history to most, and historical literacy is knowing what last night’s sports scores were.

I find myself listening to more right-wing talk radio lately than I ever thought I possible; certainly more than I care to admit to. Given the state of the FM dial, one can only take the same five songs in rotation for so long, however, and I’m sick of my CD collection, and I continue to resist the marketing hype of Apple, and its iPod (I miss my tape player, in my old car, and its mix tape possibilities). In the strange landscape that is presidential politics in America, it is one of the only places where you catch occasional glimpses of lucidity. For many who’ve drunk the Kool-Aid offered by those on the left that statement probably causes you to think I’ve taken leave of my senses. As they say, politics makes for strange bedfellows. Hell, Rush Limbaugh, as well as Michael Savage are making more sense than the Obama’s minions on the left, the likes of Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann, and all the rest of the Obama-rama sycophants.

Speaking of right-wing talk show hosts, one of that pantheon’s chattering heads was commenting on McLellan’s shilling of his new book, What Happened (an amazingly lame title of a book that is bound to sell far too many copies than it deserves to), and mentioned how history will ultimately contextualize the presidency of George Bush.

Let me first say that I always thought Scotty McLellan was a lying weasel. Everytime I’d see that sack of shit up at the mike, taking questions, I knew this administration’s HR people had burned through their stack of resumes of qualified candidates. The less said about McLellan, the better, in my opinion. I’ll just say that regardless of how you feel about Mr. Bush, McLellan is turncoat personified. I can’t say I’m surprised, however, given the state of manhood in America. Turn on your friends, your pastor, your family, and even your fucking dog. That’s what loyalty’s become in our time. As Harry Truman once said, “You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog.” Just have the good sense not to turn him out for political purposes.

Back to my right-wing talk show host. He was making the point that Harry Truman, who is lionized today, by both the right, and the left, when he left office in 1953, with an approval rating of 23 percent, was forced (along with Bess) to pack up his things into his car, and make the long drive back to Missouri, alone, without any secret service entourage. Making that trek, back before the advent of the interstate highway system, was probably a long, painful sojourn. I can see the Trumans, stopping off at one of the many roadside cabins common in the 50s, built for America’s first wave of car travelers.

This host’s point, and I think, mine, is that history provides a much better lens for adjudicating a president’s legacy, than our current stick a wet finger in the air, and decide who you’re for today, way of doing things.

Tend my garden

There have been a number of features about gardening on the local 6 o’clock news programs. After listening to a few of these, I've come to the conclusion that the average viewer knows little, or nothing about growing their own food. It’s not surprising, really. I think most Americans believe that their food originates in some big warehouse, and gets trucked to their local supermarket.

While my wife and I have been keeping a modest 30 X 20 plot the past six years, or so, growing a small variety of vegetables, we’ve regularly added new elements, and variety to our spring planting. In 2007, Mary added an herb garden, and also planted tomatoes on our hill, which I had discontinued mowing, and had let go wild. The sandy soil, and abundant sun on the northeastern side of our property, helped them do quite well.

[Prep the soil, and then gather your favorite seed packets]

Given the price of food this year, we’ve decided to double the garden plot, adding additional greens, like mesclun, some extra kale (which we fell in love with, last year}, a hearty root vegetable, like beets, as well as two varieties of beans, squash, zucchini, and another salad mix.

[Miss Mary's own personal herb garden]

While having a small garden requires some initial work, preparing the soil, and the actual sowing process, the effort is well worth the yield, and mid-summer bounty that will be forthcoming. Noted writer, economic and cultural critic, and first and foremost, a farmer, Wendell Berry wrote about this in his essay, “The Pleasures of Eating” (from What Are People For?), urging readers to get involved in their own food production. Berry advocated participating “in food production to the extent that you can. If you have a yard or even just a porch box or a pot in a sunny window, grow something to eat in it. Make a little compost of your kitchen scraps and use it for fertilizer, Only by growing some food for yourself can you become acquainted with the beautiful energy cycle that revolves from soil to seed to flower to fruit to food to offal to decay, and around again. You will he fully responsible for any food that you grow for yourself, and you will know all about it. You will appreciate it fully, having known it all its life.”

[Our borrowed 3 HP friend helps save our backs]

There is something magic that happens when you get your fingers in the soil, and get some of the earth under your nails. A closer connection to the natural world keeps us human, and that is always a good thing.

[The garden genie will keep watch over the crops]

Let's hear it for the little guys!

For most baseball fans, particularly those that only know the professional variety, chemically-enhanced, and overrun by WWF histrionics, this weekend's D3 College World Series, in Appleton, Wisconsin, is probably not on your "badar" (baseball radar).

[Fox Cities Stadium, host of the D3 WS, and home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers]

I got to experience this great community (along with Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss, and cheese curds), and my very own D3 World Series in person, in 2006, when my son Mark, a senior on Wheaton (MA) College's baseball team, was a participant. That was a magic spring, and one I won't soon forget. The Lyons secured their first ever trip to the World Series, by winning the Northeast Regional. I got to witness the one of the more dramatic home runs I've seen during my baseball life, courtesy of Pat O'Connor's bat, and Wheaton finished number two in the country, losing to Marietta, and 7th round Major League draft pick, Mike Eisenberg.

[The Fox Cities' playing surface is on par with any Major League park]

I'll be following the exploits of the Trinity Bantams over the weekend. This club, the Northeast representative in Appleton, beat Cortland State on Friday, 2-1, their 42nd consecutive win. It was fitting that the Bantams had an opportunity to avenge their last loss, which came a year ago, to Cortland State, when the Red Dragons eliminated Trinity, during the 2007 New York Regional, ending their season.

[The view from center field (put me in coach, I'm ready to play...)]

Just like their big brother, the Division I World Series, in Omaha, Nebraska, the D3 equivalent has plenty of compelling stories. Trinity's foe, this evening, will be Linfield College, from Oregon. The Wildcats are making their first D3 WS appearance, and are coached by none other than Scott Brosius, the former Yankee that Red Sox fans came to hate. Brosius, a Wildcat alumnist, led the team to a 34-11 season in his first year at the helm.

While there won't be live video until the last two days of the tourney, audio feeds, as well as live stats will keep fans updated.