Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:00:03 -0400
Today was the start of the "dog days of summer," according to one calendar on the wall (yes, I have more than one.)
Everyone knows that the “dog days of summer” occur during the hottest and muggiest part of the season. Webster defines “dog days” as...
1 : the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere
2 : a period of stagnation or inactivityBut where does the term come from? Why do we call the hot, sultry days of summer “dog days?”
Find out here:
http://wilstar.com/dogdays.htm
Your source says,
...and the constellations that are now mapped out in the sky come from our European ancestors.
Not really. The ancient civilizations of the Middle East, primarily the Persians and Arabs, identified and named most of the constellations still in use. Then first the Greeks and the Romans adapted the names from their own mythologies. The post-Copernican Europeans tweaked the system, and the current system was finalized in the early twentieth century by the International Astromonical Union.
http://www.astro.illinois.edu/~jkaler/sow/const.html
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark: "We're no better than our own sense of humility."
In my opinion, the most likely reason why Sarah Palin is quitting her job as the governor of Alaska is probably because of what no political pundit can publicly say and that is Levi Johnston!
Sarah Palin’s entire political career (whether running again for governor in 2010 or running for president in 2012) is basically at the mercy of Levi Johnston right now as this article implies:
http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/encounter/57746/
49 Minutes With Levi Johnston
By Chris Rovzar Published Jul 2, 2009
“He (Levi Johnston) thinks that by talking publicly about how the Palins prevented him from seeing his son, he was able to pressure the governor to give him more access. He now sees Tripp a few times a week, when Bristol swings by to drop him off…”
No political pundit can publicly mention Levi Johnston's hold over Sarah Palin (which is to publicly talk about her and say whatever he wants to) as being even a possible reason why Palin is quitting because it cannot be tangibly proven, that would only help to empower Levi Johnston even further, and that would probably upset the Palins to the point where they could lose their political job!
Again, this reason is only my opinion but Levi Johnston's hold over Sarah Palin to go public and air his complaints about the Palins if Sarah runs in any future race is factually true. Probably any major media outlet in the country (outside of FOX News) would be glad to have Levi Johnston on their shows and let him say whatever he wants to about the Palins!
If Levi says anything big about the Palins to the media while Sarah Palin is running in any race (whether it is for governor in 2010 or for president in 2012), then it would basically be Levi's word against the Palin's word. Sarah Palin would then have to spend more time trying to put out all of the fires that Levi starts as opposed to using that time to run a serious campaign.
If Sarah or Bristol Palin do not give in to Levi's demands about the baby or if they upset him, then Levi in my opinion definitely has the name recognition and the star power to ruin any future political race that Sarah Palin runs in!
Sarah Palin quitting now and not running for President in 2012 will end any hold that Levi has over her. That means Sarah and Bristol Palin can do whatever they want to Levi as far as the baby or anything else is concerned and Sarah herself will not pay any political price for it (outside of maybe hurting her influence to help Republican candidates who she likes running in competitive races or to raise money for the GOP) regardless of what Levi publicly says!
Happy 4th to all Clarkpeople, everywhere!
the commentators are all wet with this one
ed rollins, one of the few who knows what
he is talkingabout, says Palin is all done
he is right
Gov of Alaska is one thing
never was prez material; go figure mccain?
GOP in all its evil is reeling
frontrunner has to be Romney
I suspect 2010 there might be a huge
Libertarian revival
all the best to you all and General Clark
Bill (from RI)
I got an e-mail this morning saying that an embezzlement scandal is about to break regarding materials used to build Palin's house and the Wasilla sports complex.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark: "We're no better than our own sense of humility."
apparently the same materials were used for the Palin house that Todd built with his buddies, but whether there is any truth to the rumors aren't clear.
What is clear is that Sarah Palin is a goofball. The only difference between her and my dog, Liberty (2 years old today) is that he doesn't talk nonsense and she doesn't run around with her tongue sticking out...
"It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and one to hear." - Henry David Thoreau
Palin does wiggle her tail a little, though.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark: "We're no better than our own sense of humility."
in my opinion could possibly have won the 2012 Republican nomination because of how very popular that she is with the Rush Limbaugh activist base of the GOP as long as Levi Johnston did not publicly air his complaints about her and Bristol which her primary opponents could have easily used against her. Again, Palin's entire 2012 presidential candidacy (the GOP primary and the general election if she managed to win the nomination) would have been at the mercy of Levi Johnston in my opinion!
But Sarah Palin's popularity right now is almost limited to the Rush Limbaugh wing of the Republican Party. That in my opinion means she definitely could not win in the 2012 general election because very few people outside of Limbaugh's activist base would take her presidential candidacy seriously after how badly that she looked in 2008 and after how she quit her job in 2009.
Sarah Palin's own political career is over right now in my opinion and any hold that Levi Johnston had over her and Bristol is also over as well. Palin will make a lot of money from her book deal, by charging thousands of dollars for making speeches, and by being a big fundraiser for the GOP and for far right wing GOP candidates because of her strong popularity with the hard core GOP activist base!
So at the end of the day, Palin ended her political career but did what was best for herself and her family in my opinion. Palin by quitting now is getting rid of her Levi Johnston problem, she will make a lot of money for herself in the long term, and she probably realizes (though she would never publicly admit it) that she would probably not be electable against Obama in the 2012 general election even if she was able to win the GOP nomination!
Depending on the events of the next 30-36 months, Mickey Mouse in drag might be able to defeat Obama. On the other hand, he might be unbeatable, but the odds are against him.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark: "We're no better than our own sense of humility."
could potentially be extremely vulnerable in 2012:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/17644
Why so much talk about "Republican irrelevance" now is premature and dangerous!
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on May 31, 2009 - 8:08am.
It is just my opinion that Sarah Palin would be one of Obama's weakest Republican opponents no matter how badly that things may look for him because of how Palin looked like an idiot to most of middle America in 2008, because of how she quit her job in 2009, and because her candidacy would be at the mercy of what Levi Johnston might come out and publicly say about her which could potentially destroy her campaign if she is the 2012 Republican nominee!
Mitt Romney in my opinion would be a much tougher opponent for Obama compared to Palin if you are right that "Mickey Mouse in drag might be able to defeat Obama." Romney claims the economy as being one of his biggest strengths (he went after McCain over that issue big time in the 2008 GOP primary when McCain said "the economy is not my strong point"):
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_8142027
denver & the west
Romney: McCain weak on economy
By Chuck Plunkett
The Denver Post
Posted: 02/01/2008 03:24:09 PM MST
Updated: 02/02/2008 02:56:31 PM MST
"Citing his strong business and economic experience, Mitt Romney argued in Denver Friday that John McCain would be wrong for the country in the current climate.
Speaking before an overflow crowd of about a thousand at a Denver Ford dealership, Romney reminded those gathered that McCain had said the economy isn't his strong point.
"I think at this time, we need a president for whom the economy is a strong suit," the former Massachusetts governor and successful businessman said..."
If Mitt Romney is the 2012 GOP nominee and if Obama is highly vulnerable because his policies (especially on the economy) did not work out to the satisfaction of most of middle America, then we are going right back to Neocon foreign policy if Romney wins:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/14152
Mitt Romney IS a Neocon; His NRO endorsement should hurt him if he is nominated!
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on December 17, 2007 - 4:59am.
Mitt Romney's 2008 NRO endorsement and his previous support of Bush which would have hurt him in 2008 if he was the GOP nominee instead of McCain will probably not hurt him very much in 2012 when Obama will be the main issue instead of Bush!
get economy back on track
but then seriously put fiscal breaks on
he will have to move to the right, like it or not
O will not be able to ignore W's deficits
Bill (from RI)
don't know about embezzlement
the AK bureau of investigation made a statement
that says no
but the feds? dunno
palin's lawyer threatening to sue everybody--that overreaction makes me suspicious
the "higher calling" stuff is crap
she is a goofball, PA, a very dangerous
one
I would like to see the GOP implode and a new party emerge
Bill (from RI)
She is attractive to a small group of vocal extremists, but she would never be elected as President, never, never, never. She is one of the big reasons why I think the Republican Party may not have a credible presence for a long time...let her talk. Let Sanford talk. They are only digging the hole deeper.
"It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and one to hear." - Henry David Thoreau
Sarah Palin's entire political career was at the mercy of Levi Johnston and what he publicly says about her as long as she remained in elected office and/or if she tries to run for President in 2012. Sarah Palin resigning now and not running for President in 2012 ends any hold that Levi Johnston had over her (and Bristol regarding their baby).
I do not see how Sarah Palin could maintain any credibility while she was in office as governor of Alaska or if she runs for President in 2012 as long as Levi Johnston can come out any time he feels like to make comments like the ones below. Palin would have to spend more time trying to put out the many political fires that Levi Johnston can start which will hinder her from being effective in office or running for any office:
YouTube - Levi Johnston: Money Prompted Palin to Resign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-c6sGqtVJw
Levi Johnston: Money Prompted Palin to Resign (1:11)
AssociatedPress
July 09, 2009
"The former fiance of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's 18-year-old daughter says he thinks he knows why the Alaska governor is resigning-- concerns over money. Johnston spoke at a news conference Thursday at the office of his attorney.(July 9)"
-----------------------------------------------------
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009425352_apuspalinresignation.html
Originally published July 10, 2009 at 6:17 AM | Page modified July 10, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Levi Johnston: Palin resigned to cash in on fame
A spokeswoman for Gov. Sarah Palin is scoffing at comments by Bristol Palin's former fiance, who says he thinks Palin resigned to cash in on her fame.
By MARY PEMBERTON
Associated Press Writer
Related
Video | Levi: Palin not 'cut out' for presidency
http://video.ap.org/?t=By%20Section/U.S.&g=0710dv_levi_johnston&f=wasee (2:59)
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A spokeswoman for Gov. Sarah Palin is scoffing at comments by Bristol Palin's former fiance, who says he thinks Palin resigned to cash in on her fame.
"It is interesting to learn Levi is working on a piece of fiction while honing his acting skills," Palin family spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Levi Johnston, 19, whose wedding to Bristol Palin was called off earlier this year, said Thursday he lived with the Palin family from early December to the second week in January. He claimed he heard the governor several times say how nice it would be to take advantage of the lucrative deals that were being offered, including a reality show and a book.
"She had talked about how nice it would be to take some of this money people had been offering us and you know just run with it, say 'forget everything else,'" he said.
He said he thinks book deals were really what appealed to Palin.
"I think the big deal was the book. That was millions of dollars," said Johnston, who has had a strained relationship with the family but now says things have improved.
Compensation details of Palin's book projects haven't been disclosed. The former GOP vice presidential candidate has said she is facing more than $500,000 in legal fees.
Johnston made his comments at a news conference Thursday at the office of his attorney, Rex Butler.
Johnston came forward, Butler said, because Alaskans want to know why Palin has decided to resign, effective the end of the month.
Johnston is pursuing his own book deal and movie deal while working as a carpenter.
Asked if he would vote for her if she ran for president, Johnston said: "I think she's a great lady, but after seeing what she did now, you know, leaving Alaska, I would have to say, 'no.' Obviously she's stressed out as governor. I mean moving up to the vice president or president is huge. I just don't think anymore that she's cut out for the job."
"It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and one to hear." - Henry David Thoreau
It's 66 degrees and sunny out this morning, although there's a good chance of some showers in the late afternoon and evening. I'm hoping the picnic I'm going to will be dry and that the Rockies get their game in and the fireworks don't get doused.
Have a great day, everybody!
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark: "We're no better than our own sense of humility."
