The following bloggers are very lucky people

750 Volts
Anonymous is a Woman
Bacon's Rebellion
Bad Rose
Bearing Drift
Black Velvet Bruce Li
CatHouse Chat
Chasing Sophia
Daily Whackjob
Deo Vindice
HR Conservative Central
I'm Not Emeril
Leslie Carbone
Madison Thacker
NoVA Townhall
Republitarian
Scott's Morning Brew
Spank that Donkey
Spark it up!
un altro breve rapporto su legge
Virginian's for Fred Thompson
Virginia Virtucon
Vivian Paige
XRLQ
Yankee Philip

Why, you ask? Well for one, because they get to meet me and the rest of the crazies at the Blogs United Conference in Newport News. The event is only 13 days away and you can still register for the conference and a low priced room at the Marriot. What are you waiting for? Have you seen how spoiled we will be? I mean, it may just be me, but I see the words "happy hour", "decadent dessert" and "cocktails", and I am packing my bags. I am more than psyched to leave the dog at home with "Dad" for a weekend and enjoy a bipartisan weekend of politics, social events, and of course, beer.

So, if you are going to the conference, it'll be good to meet you if I haven't already done so. If not, there is still time to register. Think about it; it's bound to be a great time for all who attend, no matter what your political leanings are.

Check out some other great Blog Conference posts over at AIAW, Vivian Paige, and the greatest blog ever, the DWJ.

Most brilliant and HILARIOUS 5 second video on the web

Enjoy!

The GOP's plan - turn macaca into a positive

You have to be a real moron to think you can turn one of the biggest political gaffes in history into a "positive stepping stone" for the party as a whole. So really, no one should be surprised that the GOP is trying to do just that with Allen's "macaca moment" which cost him not only his Senate seat, but also any chance at holding political office ever again.

The Macaca moment has morphed into an official learning tool for the Republican establishment.

It's right there, on pages 18 and 22 of an Internet guide from the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee that its chairman, Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), hopes will become scripture for the 2008 candidates.

Always assume you're being recorded, and always record your opponent. The blogs -- oh, scratch that -- the Republican blogs are your friends, so use them for rapid response in good times and bad.

"The paradigmatic example of failure to do so is the 'macaca' moment," reads the guidebook (excerpted here), referring to a remark last year by former Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) that was captured on video and sunk his reelection campaign.

I'm sorry, but does that mean that you should fuck up and then blame the blogs for calling you on it? Or, for not rushing to your defense when you clearly don't deserve it? Or even worse, blame the person with the video camera for pressing "ON"?

The guidebook, 39 pages long and distributed last week to GOP Senate campaigns, underscores attempts by Republicans to level the Web-based playing field after Democrats, in Ensign's view, leveraged their Internet savvy into electoral wins. Republicans remain almost haunted by their 2006 missteps, particularly the way the macaca incident exposed chasms in their new media campaign strategy.

"It is critical that Republicans not let Democrats continue the edge," Ensign said. "They have had an edge on us."

The NRSC has hired two press secretaries for blogger outreach, and an in-house Web designer and video producer to assist campaigns. The committee also built a production studio in its basement for candidates to cut Web ads and trained campaign aides.

OK. Well, good for them. I'm glad the Republicans have finally discovered the internet. Looks like the Democratic party feels the same:

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," said Matthew Miller, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. "I'm glad the NRSC discovered the Internet in 2007."

Miller said the committee hired an online communications director two years ago, and has been training Senate candidates for months on Web strategy. "This isn't new for us," he said.

Nice. I'll take sarcasm and wit over insanity and CRAZY any day of the week. Here's the last bit of advice from the handbook, which yes; demands that candidates "go Oprah-style and get personal in a video blog, or vlog".

Don't be antisocial. Yes, that crazy thing the kids are doing these days -- posting their life details on social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook -- can be good for candidates, too. The NRSC calls it "the next big thing in politics." So candidates need to step to it and start talking about their favorite ice cream flavors and such. Will TMI (too much information) be MIA in 2008?

Open the campaign checkbook. Hire at least one staff member, but hopefully three, to lasso the wild Web. Basically, the Internet can't be a payroll afterthought. Campaigns must have people who constantly update the website, manage postings on YouTube and MySpace, and monitor the hundreds, if not thousands, of chattering bloggers.

Remember the top blog dogs. Speaking of which, get in good with five of the best-read national conservative bloggers. The guide names names: Instapundit, Michelle Malkin, Captain's Quarters, Power Line and Hugh Hewitt. Do the same locally. Do an interview with "one friendly blogger," and interest from other local bloggers should follow.

Make blogs your first point of contact. It used to be that campaigns checked in with newspaper reporters, then everybody else. Now, friendly blogs should be the first point of contact. (The NRSC bumped the mainstream media to step eight on its nine-step plan for communicating the campaign's message to the public.)

The non-friendly blogs, i.e. "hostile, liberal blogs," should never be engaged directly by campaigns. "Doing so only legitimizes them," the guide states. Leave that up to surrogates. Instead, monitor the critical sites for inaccuracies that can be "useful down the road to delegitimize these blogs as a source for reliable information to the mainstream media."

But really, bloggers are no different from the MSM. OK, so maybe they have at least two things in common: They both like scoops and feeling special.

"Bloggers, particular national bloggers who've developed a reputation, have no interest in being BCC'd on a press release," the guide states. "They do, however, eagerly desire inside information about rapidly developing storylines of interest to their audiences. Personalized attention is important. Quick, personal response to any questions or concerns they may have about the information that you give them is also important."

Blogs are your canary. Treat them "as an 'early warning system' to help discern if an opponent's attacks are gaining traction," the guide reads, using Allen's campaign as an example. "Conservative blogs, who had long been lauding Sen. George Allen, were annoyed by shifting justifications and turned on Allen with a vengeance. Sen. Allen was never able to regain his status with bloggers, many of whom, at the time, were still touting Allen for President."

Blog yourself. They are an essential tool, the guide states, to thank donors and update supporters on the campaign.

The NRSC, however, could serve as a cautionary tale. It recently tried something different on its blog, removing the veneer of party unity and giving voice to critics of the Senate's bipartisan immigration bill. It caused a stir, and the site is no longer available. An NRSC spokeswoman said the site "was never fully launched.''

One last thing: Don't get sued. There are copyrights, trademarks and privacy laws. Be careful, give credit and pay the fees to use a photo. It's worth it to do so, the guide states, "rather than taking the chance of defending your actions in court."

I am ALL FOR the Republicans utilizing blogs and the web more in their quest for power. Hey, if it goes as well as it did this week in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Democratic party will have all of the power for years to come.

Late congratulations to Don

What a thrill! Don McEachin won the race against Benny Lambert so easily, I didn't have to sweat at all. He is going to make a wonderful Senator. Of course, now that I have moved, I am in Senator Marsh's district, so I cast my final vote in my old precinct on Tuesday for Don McEachin. I was more than proud to do so, and turnout was heavier than I expected. What a great day.

Don also called in to Blog Talk Radio to thank Ben, Lowell, and the netroots for their help. I thought that was an incredibly classy move on his part, and I know the entire netroots community appreciates being thanked for what they do. I hope other politicians start thanking the netroots as opposed to punishing them for becoming part of the process.

Congrats again, Don! I know you will make us all proud!

Happy Election Day!!! Richmond city info...

GET OUT THE VOTE, VIRGINIA!

Don't forget to get to your polling place and cast a vote, no matter where you live here in the great Commonwealth of Virginia. Remember to bring a friend to vote. Remember to tell your friends, co-workers, and acquaintances (I also tell strangers) that it is election day, and remind them to vote.

Most importantly, remember to vote Democratic if you care about the United States of America. And if your choice is between Benjamin Lambert III and Donald "The Don" McEachin, remember to PROUDLY touch that screen next to Don's name.



Richmond.com has a great article on the races that affect the city of Richmond. After a long, private decision making process, I have decided I **will be voting for** support Jackie Jackson to replace Donald McEachin once he wins the nomination for Benny Lambert's current seat. I wish Jackie luck today. **I know, I am a huge dumbass; you gotta live there to vote in the election. I'll take spankings**

Stay tuned for more info, details, predictions, and news from the trail...

Signs don't vote, and neither do angry business owners

I couldn't help but notice that the Lambert folks have been hard at work putting up campaign signs on abandoned buildings and homes in the city of Richmond. I mean, nothing shows confidence like seeing a sign masking taped to a boarded up wall with 7 "no trespassing" signs on it, right? Hahahahahaha, RIGHT. However, the crew probably should have stuck with abandoned and condemned property, bc I have noticed that more and more signs have been torn down off of the walls, and it appears that perhaps the Lambert campaign was a bit too liberal in their signage. I watched a woman tear 2 Lambert signs off of her hair salon windows the other day. Apparently, she had closed the shop temporarily and was none too pleased to come back to open up her shop now covered in signs she neither requested, nor wanted.

It's safe to say Lambert lost more than one vote over that incident.

Meanwhile, Don McEachin's awesome flier has been circulating around Richmond, and he is clearly making his point known. Lambert's ties to Bush and Allen have not gone unnoticed, and have been the talk around town in political circles. I have heard the race mentioned quite a bit, both at work and while I am out and about, so I think we McEachin fans are in for a happy ending.



GO DON GO! West Of Shockoe will be an all Don, all the time address for the next 48 hours. Stay tuned for victory posts!

This makes me smile

Paris Hilton = 0
Whole World = 1

The California justice system makes me sick

NOTE: Bad words below; I am angry

So... to recap...

They can't convict OJ.

It took two trials to get the Menendez brothers.

They can't convict Robert Blake.

And now, the Whore Of Babylon serves approximately 4% of her original jail sentence and gets out.

That's it, California. You've proven you're as dumb as a sack of fucking doorknobs. You don't get control over your judicial system and law enforcement anymore. Send in the National Guard (as soon as they get back from Iraq).

I'm flattered, and I don't blame you.

If I were some of the other people in the Virginia blogosphere, I would want to be me, too.

As I was catching up on Virginia political news, I couldn't help but notice that there have been a number of comments left on the blogs by a person who goes by the name of "Jaime". That's pretty interesting, since even though my name is common, the spelling I use is not common at all. So I find it funny that in my absence, a newbie has come on the scene with the same name and spelling. I have never seen comments by this person before, and frankly, I was pretty surprised to see them pop up only in my absence this week. Of course, this very well could be a real person with the same name with comments for blogs and bloggers, but I have received a number of emails from people asking me why I have dropped the "phriendly" from my name. Because of this, I must address the fact that this other commenter going by the name "Jaime" is not me.

Let me go through some choice inane comments made on my friend Myron's blog and explain how they couldn't possibly have been made by me to prove my point (also bc I am bored, the Democratic debate is boring, and I am drinking beer to celebrate my move-oh,I won't be driving, though, like certain people's wives do when they drink):

...Last I heard, you’re 26, live at home and have no job. So it seems sitting back and watching other people is right up your ally. How about you get up off that old hiney and get out there yourself?

I have no idea how old Myron is, but I know that he has numerous jobs and a lovely wife whom I adore and consider a friend. Also, I would have used the word ASS because I am not eleven years old.

And lastly, I know some of these people pointing fingers have also done shameful things in their lives too. So don’t act all offended as if you’re perfect. After all, we’re only human, right? I know Sayre has received plenty of come backs from supporters sending in dirt on Emmit, yet he’s not turning down that path. How about we get on with the REAL campaign, and stop acting as though we’re 10 years old, you poopy heads.

OK...first of all, I would back up the gossip threat with some actual gossip. I mean, c'mon. Get a grip, and act like an adult. Oh, that's another thing; next time you call someone out for acting immature, don't call them a "poopy head" in the same sentence. How old are you? "Shit head" is a fine word, and should be used to describe more people. Oh, and you spelled Emmett wrong, dumbass.

Say what you want, I refuse to start a name calling war.

Except when she/he calls people poopy heads.

Everyone, EVERYONE, has something. Some more than others, but in Gods eyes, every sin is equal.

I don't know about that. When I get drunk at home and call my friends and harass them and break something because I trip, God (if you believe in him/her, that is) may be annoyed, but I bet if you drive your car drunk and kill a family, or get your family member out of a DUI charge all hush hush because you can...well, I think God knows the difference between me and the "other persons" I described.

But like I said, i’m not starting a war. Besides, I’m upset about the poor things already said that are not even related to Sayre, so why would I turn around and do the same to Emmett? Sorry, but you’re not getting the drama you want out of me.

Hahahahahahahaahaha, yeah, sure. "Jaime" sure sounds like a drama queen to me, how about you, readers? Hilarious.

So let me go on record with the following: this is complete bullshit, and Scott Sayre should immediately explain how he got his wife treated better than Paris Hilton.

The New Dominion has independently confirmed the report. According to online court records, the 2003 conviction in Rockbridge County General District Court was for an Aug. 26, 2003, offense that resulted in a 30-day suspended sentence and a $100 fine, and the 2006 conviction in Staunton General District Court was for a Jan. 13, 2006, offense that resulted in a 30-day sentence, 20 days of which were suspended, and a $250 fine.

According to the court records, the second incident at first led to a charge for Sayre of DWI-Second Offense, which upon conviction would have subjected her to a mandatory minimum fine of $500 and up to a year in jail.

Sayre was ultimately convicted of DWI-First Offense in that case.

Well, I guess I have to change the name of this blog, huh?

I finally have internet service again, and since my fingertips are the only part of my body that is not in pain, I figured I would throw a post up so everyone would know that I am indeed alive.

After a very long, arduous decision process, I am finally in my new place. Thadd and I just moved from downtown Richmond (literally West of Shockoe, both the "Slip" and the "Bottom") to Church Hill, which equates to only about 1.5 miles difference from new address to old address. The entire moving process took 3 trips with a 10 foot truck, 9 trips with a Nissan Altima, and about 32 full hours of moving boxes and furniture and bags and then a midnight till dawn cleaning frenzy of the old place to try to get a security deposit back. Of course, we couldn’t be bothered to even THINK about packing until about a week and a half ago, so we deserve the pain from procrastinating. At this point, I am just numb from the aches and pains, and convinced that I will never again move unless I hire a crew to do it for me while I go on vacation. Seriously. I am not kidding. Had a homeless person, student, illegal immigrant, or ANYONE imaginable offered us help in exchange for money, food, or sex, both of us would have been very inclined to say yes and let the chips fall where they may.

Oh, and note to all: before you cry hysterically for 4 hours, thinking that your cat is gone forever because he is mad that you moved and/or the dog chased him out because he was so excited about his new backyard and back porch, check behind the dryer. My eyes are still swollen.

I’ll post before and after pics soon.