Almost Friday I Don't Know Stuff Edition

by Benjamin J. Kirby

There is a lot going on, and I'm behind on my reading.  It is not the fault of any one thing.  I've just got a lot going on.  

At work, things are getting interesting.  I've been asked to do a follow-up presentation on social media to an influential Tampa Bay-area group.  I have been invited to a leadership symposium to discuss social media in a few months, and I'm really looking forward to that.  I sit on the board of a prestigious national organization, and they've asked me to serve on the executive committee as Secretary (the vote on that is pending).  There are things happening day-to-day which frustrate me, but long-term, a lot of fascinating, even fun stuff is in the works.  

Read back three our four or five posts and you'll see how things have been here at home.  Finn is still on stand-by.  We're scheduled for induction next week, so one way or the other... 

We still miss Conan terribly.  But it's getting easier with each passing day.  Or we're just getting used to not having him here.  

Anyway, all of that -- and more -- means I'm sort of plugging in and out of the scene, back and forth.  So here's some stuff kind of on my list (but not necessarily absorbed yet).

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First, there's this promising Salon piece on Tucker Carlson.  I don't know why, but I particularly dislike Tucker Carlson.  

Maybe it's just because he doesn't ever seem to go away.

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Yeah, the Obama interview in Rolling Stone is on the list.

I told you I'm behind.

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I've got to learn about CISPA.  Doesn't look good.

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The U.S. Senate race in Utah is not one I'd normally watch, but having met Senator Hatch a number of years ago, I might take more of an interest in this primary.

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I need to dig a little deeper here, too, but I'd venture to say A.) Vern Buchanan is lying, and B.) he's worried about his chances in November.

Neither of those things should surprise you.

Vern Buchanan 22 points up on Keith Fitzgerald?  I don't think so.

Florida-wide, Romney's only up on Obama by two, 47-45, I'm sure well within the margin of error.  

Congressional job approval is something like -64.  A generic U.S. Congressional ballot only has Republicans over Democrats 44.4% to 41.2%.

22 points?  You're trying to tell me that the richest -- and most corrupt -- Member of Congress is up on his opponent by 22 points?  

This is a guy who won't even release his own tax returns.

Keith did:

“I am releasing my personal tax returns because I believe the public has the right to know where and how politicians earn their income. For decades, special interests groups have lobbied Congress to create a complicated, loophole ridden tax code that protects the profits and bonuses of powerful corporations over middle class families and seniors.”

I just refuse to believe the guy who is transparent is down 22 points to the guy who is, well, under multiple investigations.

Of course, I don't really have to.  In first quarter fundraising numbers, Keith outraised Vern Buchanan, the fundraising head of the National Repulican Congressional Committee, which is charged with, well, fundraising for Republican Congressional candidates.  

Keith's campaign received more than 1,500 individual contributions with an average contribution of $136.  Money talks.  Vern's bullshit poll numbers can take a walk.

But don't forget: Vern really is, like, the richest Member of Congress.  He can throw a boatload of cash at this race, and he will.  So go donate to Keith's campaign, as much as you can spare.

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It's almost Friday.

Comments

[Robert Zimmerman]

"I'm goona raise me an army - some tough sons-a-b**ches,
I'll recruit my army from the old religions.
I've been to St. Hermon's church and said my religious vows.
I've sucked the milk out of a thousand cows."
Better now than he ever was!