A cat belonging to an Arkansas Democratic campaign manager was found dead on Sunday night with the word “Liberal” spray-painted across its side, the campaign manager said.

The cat was a pet of Jake Burris, who manages Democrat Ken Aden’s bid for Arkansas’ 3rd Congressional District. Aden is running against incumbent Republican Representative Steve Womack.

Burris was returning to his Russellville, Arkansas home with his four children when he found the cat on his doorstep, the Aden campaign said in a press release on Monday.

www.reuters.com

It is difficult to believe that anyone could be that heartless.  It makes me very sad.

First, the people using them think they are examples of the worst possible regimes that have existed on the other side of the political divide - both paties fall back on Nazi imagery, conservatives on “commies” and socialists because those used to be the ultimate bad guys.

Second, these terms are simplistic and everyone thinks they understand them. (I think they’re wrong, but that’s another story). Call someone a communist and people think they know what that person must be like, even though of course there are many different ways people can be or have been communists.

Third, and most important, people are lazy. They don’t want to actually have to think about issues and positions and facts – give them a quick soundbite that they can grab on to and understand. If Obama is a “socialist”, then people think they know what he stands for, without bothering to do any actual thinking.  It’s shorthand for lazy people, and of course it is almost always wrong.

The Holocaust was a total eclipse of humanity, it is not healthcare, it is not Arizona law,  it is not a woman’s right to choose. It was an attempt to exterminate a race. If you tried to scream the names of 2,000 Holocaust victims every day, it would take you eight years to finish.  That’s what a holocaust is.

Just as I was writing this, I had a final thought – the political leadership in the US for the past 50 years has been men (mostly) who grew up on WWII and the Cold War. Nazis and Commies are the enemies they know, so they use the imagery they understand.

I do not have personal experience with this magnitude of wave, still, there was this one day when the surf was big.  We went to Ocean Beach where the waves were always thicker than anywhere else on a normal day. This was not a normal day. O.B. has a pier that was closed this day due to the 20 foot swells. A chain link fence that closed it off.

After attempting to paddle out a few times, Renny and I decided to just climb the fence and run out to the end of the pier and leap off to make it outside.

It worked 5 times before we were stopped by the local life guards. I have to tell you, 4 of those 5 rides were as excited as I had been during that period of my life.

Massive drops, mind bending cutbacks off the lip, riding a 7′ round tail tri fin. What a frikkin great day!

4 out of 5, you ask…. one of the rides was more memorable than the others. Took off too late on a close out and dropped freefall, my friend Steve, just there to look at the big waves, watched from inside and saw me disappear for too long. He later told me he thought I was “toast.”

I remember bouncing off my board and then just tumbling as the wave captured me. Hitting the shallow sandy bottom. After the washing machine let me go, and being totally out of breath, I was tumbled a bit and realized my leash was broken. I remember thinking for that instant, ‘oh crap, I hope my board won’t be hurt’

I kicked and stroked three strong times and….. hit the sandy bottom again. I was swimming down, absolutely confused.

I made it to the surface just in time for the next wave of the set. A breath was all I needed. I survived.

Oregon’s incredible offense busted up Wisconsin and the record books on the way to the Ducks’ first Rose Bowl victory in 95 years.  I thought it was a great game.

Among the records broken in Monday’s Rosebowl:

• Total points scored: 83 (previous: 80, Washington vs. Iowa, 1991)
• Highest-scoring 1st quarter: 28 points
• Highest-scoring 1st half: 56 points

Read more and see the uniform

Nike will celebrate the Ducks’ return to the Rose Bowl with the debut of its latest Nike Pro Combat system of dress – the most advanced football uniform system ever assembled.

This fully integrated uniform system, debuted in its first iteration by the University of Oregon during last years’ BCS National Championship Game, incorporates the pinnacle in performance innovation and design from the world’s most renowned athletic outfitter. The new uniform provides enhanced thermoregulation and more durability with the inclusion of Nike Chain Maille Mesh – a lightweight ultra-breathable material – used in both the jersey and pant. 

Read more at Nike.com

The Badgers sport none other than Heisman candidate Montee Ball, who has some gawdawful amount of  touchdowns.

The Ducks boast junior LaMichael James, who’s only slightly slower than lightning.

In the end, this matchup is going to come down to who racks up the most points.

That team will be Oregon.

Both teams have spectacular offenses. They are two of only 12 teams to score at least 80 touchdowns in a season since recorded time, and the Ducks have done it twice.  If you watch, see how Oregon’s fast-paced, no-huddle offense will just wear out the Badgers.

It’s going to be a close, back-and-forth game between Oregon and Wisconsin come Jan. 2, but the Ducks will come out on top in the end.

Oregon 41, Wisconsin 38

This time to Munkhsaikhan Gantumur in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to purchase more products for his grocery store.via Kiva.org. 

Kiva.org is an organization that allows people to lend money via the Internet to microfinance institutions in developing countries around the world and in the United States, which in turn lend the money to small businesses and students.  Merry Christmas Munkhsaikhan!

Visit my lender page.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin rekindled speculation about her 2012 plans Monday, offering a teasing response to a question about whether she or anybody else might still get involved in the presidential race.

“It’s not too late for folks to jump in,” Palin said during an interview on the Fox Business Network, according to advance excerpts. “Who knows what will happen in the future.” Palin winked.

Huffingtonpost – Dec. 20

Last week she was turned down on the offer of her husband for a reality show. Her speaking engagement­s have dried up. Her books don’t sell. Her bus trip was a bust. Her contributi­ons to Faux have been lackluster­. What to do….”I know. Run for president.­”

She missed the debates and the filing deadlines, but hey. She has never intended to work. Just to pose. This ought to beef up her market value.

I said a long time ago she might say she wasn’t running so that she could skip the debates. And then: Voila! She becomes the female Moses without ever having to give her views on things she knows nothing about. It will be all about “common sense” and “family values.”

In my opinion, however, she’s just trying to squeeze this  nonsense for every dime she can.

4,000 American troops currently remain in the country at two military bases, as compared to the war’s peak in 2007, when 170,000 troops populated 505 bases. By the end of 2011, combat troops will be withdrawn completely.

Funny, but I don’t hear a lot of cheering about this so I will cheer.  YAY.  Finally!  This ill-conceived, unjustified, illegal war is over.

Welcome home brave soldiers.

This time to a group of people running a beauty salon in Tanzania via Kiva.org. 

Kiva.org is an organization that allows people to lend money via the Internet to microfinance institutions in developing countries around the world and in the United States, which in turn lend the money to small businesses and students.  Makes me feel good everytime I do it.

Visit my lender page.