So we’re not the only ones, eh?

From the Drudge Report:

DEAN UNDER FIRE FROM PARTY DEMS; NEARLY ALL CASH SPENT
Mon Jan 30 2006 10:52:31 ET

Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill are privately bristling over Howard Dean’s management of the Democratic National Committee and have made those sentiments clear after new fundraising numbers showed he has spent nearly all the committee’s cash and has little left to support their efforts to gain seats this cycle, ROLL CALL reports.

Congressional leaders were furious last week when they learned the DNC has just $5.5 million in the bank, compared to the Republican National Committee’s $34 million.

Senate and House Minority Leaders Harry Reid (Nev.) and Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), along with the Senate and House campaign committee chairmen Charles Schumer (N.Y.) and Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), have made their concerns — directly or indirectly — known to Dean, claims the paper.

Emanuel was particularly upset last week upon seeing the latest DNC numbers.

“A lot of people are scratching their heads as to what’s going on,” said one senior Democratic aide.

Another Democratic source familiar with the party fundraising apparatus said there is “obvious displeasure” among the leaders.

Here is the article referenced by Drudge. And no, I’m not a subscriber; I couldn’t acquire the full piece.

So Dean’s not just a loon — he’s a mismanaging loon.

Whilst I’m here, let’s review some of Dean’s Greatest Verbal Hits:

— Republicans don’t understand the lives of hard-working Americans because they “never made an honest living in their lives.”

— Republicans are “a pretty monolithic party. They all behave the same. They all look the same. It’s pretty much a white Christian party.” — true, huh, Neo, Soc?

— The Dems vs. the GOP: “This is a struggle of good and evil. And we’re the good.”

— Republican leaders are “the ayatollahs of the right wing.”

— At least Dean was honest. Once. He said: “I hate Republicans.”

— In a radio interview with San Antonio station WOAI on December 5, 2005, Dean said the “idea that we’re going to win the war in Iraq is an idea which is just plain wrong.”

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Looks like it’s time for me to cut another check to the RNC.

On September 11th, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing 757, was delayed 41 minutes on the ground in Newark, New Jersey, enroute San Francisco. It was waiting for heavy runway traffic to clear.

Flight 93 finally became airborne at 8:42 AM.

Around 9:22, at least three of the four hijackers on board stood up and put red bandanas around their heads. Two of them forced their way into the cockpit. One took the loudspeaker microphone, not knowing that it could also be heard by flight controllers, and said that someone had a bomb onboard and that the flight was returning to the airport. He told them he was the pilot, but he spoke with an accent.

At 10:03 AM, according to the 9/11 Commission Report (other accounts give 10:06 or 10:10 AM), and as per eyewitness statements, the 757 was upside down when it crashed nose-first into an empty field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at an estimated speed of 580 MPH. It left a crater about 115 feet deep. All 40 passengers and crew plus the four hijackers were obliterated.

The destination was supposed to be Washington, DC. The United States Capitol and the White House were probable targets, with the Capitol being the more likely of the two. Had the plane struck either building, it may not have killed anyone other than those on board the plane. Both of those buildings had been evacuated by 9:45 AM.

But as opposed to the anticipated high death count from the World Trade Center buildings, striking the Capitol would have been more symbolic than anything else — though a horrible blow to the history of this nation.

The largest flaw in the plan was the unforeseen 41-minute delay on the ground in Newark. Absent that, the strikes may have been close to simultaneous.

And absent the passengers of Flight 93 taking it upon themselves to fight back.

The first call at 9:20 AM from Tom Burnett, in answer to his wife Deena asking if he were alright: “No. I’m on United Flight 93 from Newark to San Francisco. The plane has been hijacked. We are in the air. They’ve already knifed a guy. There is a bomb on board. Call the FBI.”

Deena Burnett’s phone rang again. Tom was there and Deena told him: “They’re taking airplanes and hitting landmarks all up and down the East Coast.”

“OK,” Tom Burnett said. “We’re going to do something. I’ll call you back.” The line went dead.

At about 9:55, Tom Burnett called Deena the final time and said: “A group of us is going to do something.”

Deena said: “No, Tom, just sit down and don’t draw attention to yourself.”

“Deena,” he replied, “If they’re going to crash the plane into the ground, we have to do something. We can’t wait for the authorities. We have to do something now.”

A short time later, Todd Beamer put down the airphone he’d been using, but didn’t hang up. “Are you guys ready?” Beamer asked. “Let’s roll,” he said.

Honor Wainio was speaking to her stepmother. “I need to go,” she said. “They’re getting ready to break into the cockpit. I love you. Goodbye.”

One of the last conversations: “Everyone’s running to first class,” Sandy Bradshaw told her husband. “I’ve got to go. Bye.”

__________________________

Fast forward to today: believing it to be your final flight, what would you have done?

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Tonight on A&E: “Flight 93.” I was reminded of their sacrifice. I’m going to watch. To remember.

And never forget.

It’s about time I change some, rearrange some, eliminate some and update my blogroll of The Usual Suspects.

I suppose I have a different take on blogrolls.

I’ve noticed that most blogs have a seemingly-endless list of linked blogs in their rolls — sometimes the lists go right to the bottom of the viewable page and, boys and girls, that’s a lot of blogs. I just can’t read or make note of that many blogs. I’m sure they’re all good — at least I’d hope so.

But I don’t have the time to click on each and every link in another blogroll. I don’t think you do either. So, as you’ve likely determined by now, my blogroll is, shall we say, brief.

Those who make my blogroll of The Usual Suspects have earned their place. And you don’t arrive on my blogroll overnight. You have to work to get there. I have to find myself reading your blog frequently. I have to like not only your perspective, your writings but your layout as well. And I don’t simply place someone there; I announce them.

As it is now: my Suspect list is updated. First up to bat:

1. My Republican Blog

Gayle writes this most excellent blog and portrays herself in this fashion:

I am not a born Redneck. My husband and I adopted the state of Texas whether Texas likes it or not. We have chosen to be Rednecks because we admire Rednecks. They use guns and you don’t mess with Rednecks. Not if you haven’t got pickles for brains! (But I don’t like grits.) My husband is retired Army and a Vietnam Vet. I am a retired Army dependent and wife of a Vietnam Vet. We have three large watchdogs outside and one large watchdog inside. Old-fashioned actual bars go up across the doors at night, and several weapons that seem to work very well with bullets are handy. Our farm is 80 acres but without livestock. I’d make pets out of pigs and cows. I don’t make pets out of chickens however; chickens are the dumbest birds on the planet! We grow every type of vegetable immaginable. Our place is a farm and nursery as we also have a large greenhouse and grow flowers.

Gayle features some great writing with a vision that encompasses generations and various perspectives — but is conservative in nature. Gayle also operates a graphic blog entitled Let Our Voices Be Heard – Laughing but this piece of the Blogosphere is soon to be shut down.

Welcome aboard, Gayle!

2. Caucasionally Challenged Christian

This site is operated by a fellow calling himself Neo, Soc, who says:

I am a Christian before I am an American, a father, and black man! My title is politically correct (‘pc’) because I think ‘pc’ jargon is gettting way out of control! So, please don’t expect me to be flowery, unless I’m in one of my craziness journalistic modes!

Neo, Soc has been commenting on my blog for some time now, and it’s time I reciprocate and return the favor. He’s a well-grounded American who writes well and has some excellent points to make! Do yourself a good turn and visit his blog for some salient insights into today’s world.

Welcome aboard, Neo, Soc!

3. Quid Novi?

A site written by Echotig, wife of the Big White Hat, she posts about life, her five children (one of whom is autistic) and has a wonderful sense of humor.

Don’t believe that one post with a picture. It’s not her. She’s cuter. I know because she told me so. Go check her site out. Right now. Because if you don’t, you’ll be very, very sorry indeed!

Welcome aboard, Echotig!

One deletion: SactoDan’s blog. Once in hopes of getting into the Western Alliance, I’ve not felt any love whatsoever, though I was once promised a link at Fetching Jen’s blog. G’bye, Dan.

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Please, go visit these and my other links as frequently as possible.

Everyone is there for one very salient reason: they’re simply good.

Iran crisis ‘could drive oil over $90’

Prices climb ahead of critical week as nuclear row escalates. Opec says it won’t increase quotas to cover for production shutdown

Heather Stewart, economics correspondent:
Sunday January 29, 2006: The Observer

Oil markets are braced for a nail-biting week, as world leaders demand action against Iran over its nuclear ambitions, and analysts warn that crude prices could reach $90 a barrel if the oil-rich state retaliates by blocking supplies.

The International Atomic Energy Agency meets on Thursday to decide whether to refer Iran to the United Nations Security Council. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran’s president, has threatened to respond to any punitive action by cutting off the 2.6 million barrels of oil a day it pumps into the markets – 5 per cent of the world’s supply.

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Do the “logical extension.”

What is petroleum-based? Rubber? Plastics in particular?

Perhaps it’s time to stock up on plastic bags in all forms. Don’t say I didn’t tell you.

Oh, well. Except that would classify me as a Moonbat.

What I’d like to do with the unsupervised, loud, obnoxious kids I encountered in the theatre today.