Can We Stand Just One More .....

... comment regarding last weekend's 'Lulu in Lubbock' between UT and Texas Tech? This one's been circulating through the e-mail the last few days, and it's awfully cute ...
On the local blogosphere, Jimmy at Sticky Doorknobs beat me to the punch on this one ... but I still wnated to share it!

The Birth of GOP's Elephantasy .....

On this day in 1874, Harper's Weekly featured a cartoon by Thomas Nast, an image that included the first important use of the Republican Elephant.
According to this archive piece in the New York Times, the cartoon is one of Nast’s most important because, "it marks the first notable appearance of the Republican Elephant, which the cartoonist would develop over the next few years into the universally recognized symbol for the Republican Party. An elephant had been associated twice before with the Republican Party ... however, in neither case did the caricature have a lasting impact on other political cartoonists or the public as a symbol for the Republican Party."

Strike Up the Birthday Band .....

John Philip Sousa - American musician, composer, director, writer, and the namesake for my beloved Sousaphone - was born on this day in 1854.

Being the son of a musician and member of the Marine Band, combined with the martial spirit of Civil War days of his youth in Washington, served to give Sousa's talent the bent which made him America's "March King." I would have a chance to enjoy that legacy during visits with my Dad to Marine Barracks-Washington ("8th & I") for summer evenings of music and marching that included several of Sousa's works.

Here is a nice site devoted to Sousa, maintained by the Dallas Wind Symphony. You can also visit the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music and Sousa's obituary in the New York Times .... hey, Jim, did you know he died just up the road from you, in Reading?

OUT With the Alien, IN With .....

PhD APE TO COUNSEL MCCAIN FOLLOWING HISTORIC LOSS
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - After losing the 2008 presidential election by nearly 200 electoral votes and nearly six percent of the popular vote, Senator John McCain is understandably in very low spirits.
Read the rest of the story in the Weekly World News

And, it's time for what Jessica's Well calls the "super secret right wing blog astroturf network" to start sharpening their quills for the next election ...

OBATMA 2012
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - In the wake of President Elect Barack Obama’s speech, Obatma took to the stage to make his own announcement.
Read the rest of the story in the Weekly World News

"Remember, Remember .....

..... the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot."

Was Guy Fawkes a patriot or a villain ..... a martyred saint or the Devil incarnate? It's been 402 years since the "Gunpowder Plot" was foiled ..... a date that (under a variety of names) is still marked to this day in England ..... It has also provided the


foundation for a society of its own, and a popular modern film. On the blogosphere, here is one Brit's view, and a site that helps you make your own Guy Fawkes mask (ala "V for Vendetta") which looks A LOT snazzier than a paper sack over your head, another blog channeling Fawkes' spirit ..... plus Brian Appleyard's profile of that blog's creator.

( I've wondered if some scurrying about Midland's corner of the blogosphere imagine themselves like the proprietor of Guido's blog )

Ahhh, Hindsight .....

It's all so clear, now ... it's all so obvious. I wish there was some way I could have had all this hindsight beforehand.

In the actual world AND the virtual world, in discussion's of Barrack Obama's election as President of the United States, there will be lots of variations on "I told you so" making the rounds this morning ... but not here. I wish I could say that ... but I can't ... I already fessed-up - long ago, on these pages - that had no idea how the presidential election would turn out.

But now, with the aid of hindsight, I find myself looking back on some indicators that brook larger and more significant now, in these post-election hours, then they did when I first encountered them.

The Maverick Factor: Just how much distance could John McCain put between himself and George Bush's administration? Apparently - today, at least - not enough. As I have noted before, John McCain's willingness to stand-up to the Bush administration was a refreshing exception to the politics-as-usual rule in Washington ... there WAS distance, but not enough.

The Economic Factor: Sometimes you have to look-and-listen outside the bubble that is this part of West Texas, both virtually and actually, to learn what it's like out there, in the majority of our nation. The view from actual friends in other parts of the state, and e-friends in other parts of the country just wasn't as good as ours. How might this election have turned out if it hadn't been for the national/world economic news of the past month or so?

The Palin Factor: Over the last few weeks, I met and spoke - actually and virtually - with a growing number of people who told me they would have cast their vote for McCain IF he had someone besides Sarah Palin as a running mate. One soccer dad suggested suggested Joe Lieberman would have been a better choice, while another observer suggested Elizabeth Dole. Even on our local blogosphere, Palin's credentials as an opponent of "Big Oil" were being questioned in light of her tenure as Governor of Alaska, a state that is one of the most Big Oil-enriched in the nation.

The Race Factor: I know, I know, tread carefully here. But I have to wonder what impact the prospect of electing America's first black President had on those who might otherwise have felt dis-enfranchised by our political process ... and those who believed we might finally reach at least a sense of the equality which so many have sought for so long.

Earlier this year, I spent part of the month of February in the nation of Thailand, in southeast Asia. Thailand is a very westward-looking society and is a longtime ally of the United States. More than once, I was asked about U.S. politics (we were in the midst of the primary season at the time), and what I thought of the chances of some of the higher-profile candidates actually winning election. Would America elect a black man President. I was asked ... or how about a woman? "At this time," I answered, "I just don't know."

NOW I know ... it's all so clear, now ... it's all so obvious. I wish there was some way I could have had all this hindsight beforehand.

Conceding with Grace .....

A week ago, in this column for the Midland Reporter-Telegram, Ed Todd recalled a time when Presidential candidates could conduct themselves with grace, even genitility in addressing their opponents.

Ed noted that, in 1952, in the hours following Republican Dwight Eisenhower's election as President, Democrat Adlai Stevenson said, “the people have rendered their verdict and I gladly accept it. General Eisenhower has been a great leader in war. He has been a vigorous and valiant opponent in the campaign. These qualities will now be dedicated to leading us all through the next four years. It is traditionally American to fight hard before an election. It is equally traditional to close ranks as soon as the people have spoken.”

Perhaps the magnanimity, the grace displayed by Stevenson has not been trampled underfoot by what our political prcess has become ...

In the hours following Democrat Barrack Obama's election as President, Republican John McCain has said, "In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving."

John McCain is no stranger to "grace under pressure" ... he was well schooled in it as an officer and a gentleman, a combat verteran, and a victim of brutal captivity and torture. It should be no surprise that he conceded yesterday's results with grace.

"I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him," he told supporters at his headquarters in Phoenix, "but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited."

McCain closed with, "I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president. And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe, always, in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here. Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history ... we make history. Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America."

HERE is a transcription of McCain's concession speaach from the Associated Press ... I recommend you read it.

And a Little Child DID Lead Them ....."

Last night I offered this post about the Weekly Reader Presidential Election Poll, and its amazing string of correctly predicting the next president in 12 out of 13 elections.

Now, in the wake of Barrack Obama's election as President of the United States, it's 13 out of 14 elections.

And the poll numbers may have fallen within that margin-or-error that pollsters and other statisticians like to throw around in their analyses. In the 14th Weekly Reader election survey, with more than 125,000 votes cast from kindergarten through 12th grade, the result was Obama 54.7% and John McCain 42.9% (with 'other' candidates receiving 2.5% of the student vote). At5 this time, it's being reported that, with 96% of the results in, Obama has 52+%, McCain has 46+%, and Other has -2%.

And That's a Wrap .....

Good night, folks ...

Decision '08: Presidential Election Results .....

... from msnbc.com

"And a little child shall lead them ....."

I know, I know ... they're probably just another tool of that left-leaning, Obama-loving mainstream media. But they also have a great record for political prognostication.

Kids don't have a vote, but they do have opinions on who should be America's next president, which has made the Weekly Reader Presidential Election Poll such a popular feature for the past 52 years ... and a pretty good indicator of how those kids' parents will vote in the days ahead.

According to this report in MarketWatch, "for the past 52 years, the results of the Weekly Reader poll have been consistently on target, with the student vote correctly predicting the next president in 12 out of 13 elections. (The only time the kids were wrong was 1992, when they chose George H.W. Bush over Bill Clinton.)"

So what do they say this year?

"The nation's students resoundingly say that Barack Obama will be the country's next leader," MarketWatch reported. "In the 14th Weekly Reader election survey, with more than 125,000 votes cast from kindergarten through 12th grade, the result was Obama 54.7% and John McCain 42.9% (with 'other' candidates receiving 2.5% of the student vote)."

And it's looking like the kids are about to make it 13-out-of14. Way to go, kids ... and your teachers, too!

Oh, By the Way .....

Happy Birthday to my favorite member of the First Family! Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States - and one more example of how most of us men trade up - WAY UP - when we marry.

I've interviewed Laura Bush twice - both occasions when she was First Lady of Texas - and found her gracious, to say the least, with what must have seemed ubiquitous questions. She was sharp, too, providing clear and direct answers to those questions. I also found her to be a woman of great perception, having declared that both of my boys (she met Elder Son during a visit to Alpine, and Younger Son during a visit to McDonald Observatory) were "wonderful."

Here is Laura Bush's official White House page and the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries website - an outgrowth of her former profession of librarian, and her continued interest in that profession.

A Special Note to Voters in Midland County, Pct. 206 .....

Your voting location today is kind of the same, and kind of different. You'll still be going to the Midland College main campus (at 3600 N. Garfield Street) to cast your ballot ... but you'll be going to a different building.

Today, voters in Precinct 206 may cast their ballots in Room 110/111 of the F. Marie Hall Academic Building, in the southeast corner of the campus, just east of the Allison Fine Arts Building, and across the loop road from the Dollye Neal Chapel.

The change in buildings is because the normal polling location - Scharbauer Student Center - is closed for renovations.

Polls around Midland County are open from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. today. According to this report from KWES-TV, local election officials anticipate a very good turnout, with long lines expected first-thing-in-the-morning, durig the noon/lunch hour, and after work.

For more information about voting in Midland County, you can visit their elections web pages.

Community College Community: VOTE .....

According to MC Campus Police Chief Charles Gunn, the polling location at Midland College is enjoying a brisk turnout today.

Midland College has long provided a location for Tall City voters to cast their ballots ... and resources for lots of other, related activities, as well. Some of the first public forums for the current election year - sponsored by the League of Women Voters - were held at our main campus on N. Garfield Street, and at our south campus - the Bill Pace Cogdell Learning Center on Florida Avenue.

Over the years, Midland College has also provided faculty members for interviews on a variety of topics, with the local media.

It's also a natural location for elected officials to meet-and-greet the public. Tomorrow (November 5), for example, State Senator Kel Seliger will be here for a Town Hall Meeting at 1:30 p.m. in the Wagner-Brown Auditorium of the Allison Fine Arts Building. "Considering that we'll know the results of the election," meeting organizers say, "it should be an excellent time to ask him questions and to get his thoughts about the upcoming legislative session beginning in January."

And then there's the use of MC facilities for polling locations. The Cogdell Center just finished a successful run as an early voting location this year.

Our voting location for today - election day - is kind of the same, and kind of different. Voters from Midland County's Precinct 206 will still be going to the Midland College main campus (at 3600 N. Garfield Street) to cast their ballots ... but they'll be going to a different building. Today, voters in Precinct 206 may cast their ballots in Room 110/111 of the F. Marie Hall Academic Building, in the southeast corner of the campus, just east of the Allison Fine Arts Building, and across the loop road from the Dollye Neal Chapel. The change in buildings is because the normal polling location - Scharbauer Student Center - is closed for renovations.

Polls around Midland County are open from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. today. According to this report from KWES-TV, local election officials anticipate a very good turnout, with long lines expected first-thing-in-the-morning, durig the noon/lunch hour, and after work. According to Chief Gunn, were 2-for-2 so far, with a brisk turnout both in the early morning (those first-in-line showed up at aboyt 6:00 a.m.) and during the noon hour. He expects the predictions will hold true for the after-work hours, as well.

For more information about voting in Midland County, you can visit their elections web pages.

Now It's OUR Turn to Speak .....

AP Photo by Ed Reinke
HERE is a slideshow of Americans having their say, assembled by msnbc.com

A Special Note to Voters in Midland County, Pct. 206 .....

Your voting location today is kind of the same, and kind of different. You'll still be going to the Midland College main campus (at 3600 N. Garfield Street) to cast your ballot ... but you'll be going to a different building.

Today, voters in Precinct 206 may cast their ballots in Room 110/111 of the F. Marie Hall Academic Building, in the southeast corner of the campus, just east of the Allison Fine Arts Building, and across the loop road from the Dollye Neal Chapel.

The change in buildings is because the normal polling location - Scharbauer Student Center - is closed for renovations.

Polls around Midland County are open from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. today. According to this report from KWES-TV, local election officials anticipate a very good turnout, with long lines expected first-thing-in-the-morning, durig the noon/lunch hour, and after work.

For more information about voting in Midland County, you can visit their elections web pages.

The Weather's No Excuse .....

... for not getting out to vote today. According to Kurt Mueller at KWES-TV, we have a beautiful day ahead of us, clear skies and sunny, above-average temperatures. Sure, a little breezy ... maybe even gusty ... but hey, it's West Texas!

Happy Birthday, Beastie! .....

It was on this day in 1954 that Godzilla – “King of the Monsters,” Japanese movie icon, and the world’s foremost community DISorganizer – first unleashed his fury.

It’s been more than half-a-century since Godzilla – the product of an evolutionary process gone haywire from the testing of atomic bombs – was awakened, and set off on the first of his many deadly rampages.

For many of us in the United States, our introduction came through an “Americanized” version of the Japanese original, with added scenes and narration featuring Raymond Burr. The re-working is actually done pretty well, and “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” still remains my favorite of the 25-30 films that feature the creature … a career that eventually landed him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from MTV.

Here’s Wikipedia’s entry on Godzilla, and another entry on answers.com. You may also want to take a Godzilla Trivia Quiz.

A Two-Way Street .....

It’s a good thing when media and law enforcement can get along. Even if it is a sometimes-agreeing-to-disagree-kind of getting along, it’s STILL a good thing … good for news makers, good for news reporters and good for news consumers.

Some are better than others at this. Among law enforcement professionals, county sheriffs tend to be the best at working with the media, at least based on my own experience this past quarter-century in Texas. I’ve wondered if that has something to do with the nature of the sheriff’s position. Sure, it’s a professional law enforcement position … but it’s also a political posting, where you have been placed by the electorate, by the people. And those same people will be re-visiting their decision every four years.

First and foremost, doing your job and doing it well is your primary concern … heck, that goes without saying, and it should be the case for all of us. But on a more personal, career basis, keeping in touch with the people, and keeping them apprised of what you and your staff are doing is another important concern. Let me quickly add, though, that this second concern also ties-in to doing your job better … is there any law enforcement professional out there who insists that connecting with the community is NOT important?

Getting along also helps news reporters. Producing a better report - more comprehensive, more informative, more satisfying to news consumers – is easier when law enforcement cooperates. And that cooperation comes from the knowledge that you will also do your job, and do it well, and do it fairly … even if it’s bad news, which many of us have had to cover at one time or another when officers are confronted with an investigation into their conduct - maybe even charges.

It’s a two-way street. In one direction, keep it simple, keep it straightforward, ask the hard questions, report the answers word-for-word, and be sure to follow-up. In the other direction, make yourself available, keep it simple and straightforward, answer those questions, and don’t be afraid to ask for help getting the word out, and raise concerns over excesses or shortcomings .

It’s a good thing … good for you, good for us, good for everybody.

BTW: The photo at the head of this post was taken last week, outside the Pecos County Courthouse Annex. That's Bill Warren and his crew from KOSA-TV. The big guy with the hat is Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter ... of all the law enforcement professionals I have worked with across West Texas, he probably has the best rapport with the media.

... On a More Serious Note .....

Whatever the outcome of Tuesday's balloting for President of the United States, we are witnessing the latest development in an historical process that has been in the works for more than a century. "Breaking Barriers" is the title of this slideshow on msnbc.com, where a long and distingished list of "first women to ..." are recalled.

It's a great lead-in to the possibility of another "first woman to ..." being added to that list, depending on the outcome of "the upcoming" this Tuesday.

Earlier this year, during the height of the primary season, I was in Thailand - a very westward-looking nation, and a longtime ally of the United States. Inevitably, presidential campaigns in the U.S. would come up in discussion. Among those that seemed to attract the most attention was the campaign of Hillary Clinton which, it was noted, could have historic implications for America. I suspect that discussion has been renewed, following John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as a running mate.