And On the 8th Day

Some of you may know that I am a friend and big fan of Congressman Bill Thomas (R-Bakersfield) the Chairman of Ways and Means. He is the one who pushed through President Bush's tax cuts and is going to get us social security reform.

I was thinking of him as I read the reports on how whiney mad the Dems were about the extended voting period for the medicare bill. I recalled Congressman Thomas telling me about a similar tactic the Dems had used against us when Jim Wright was speaker. I've been e-mailing people and commenting on other's blogs, hoping someone could remember the incident.

Thanks to Joel B visiting the Fresh Potatoes who pointed me to Pejmanesque It happened in 1987. First they added an 8th day to the week, then they stretched 15 minutes out and out and out. Pej' writes:

The initial vote on the bill--which the Democratic majority supported--was defeated as a result of 41 Democrats defecting, and all of the Republicans standing fast against the bill. Initially, the Democrats were going to come back the next day with a new bill, but feared that overnight, word of their defeat would make them look bad. So Wright's chief of staff suggested that the House adjourn early for the day, and then reconvene again on the same day. The adjournment would create a second legislative day within the same calendar day, the Democrats could lean on defectors, and win the vote--thus erasing their earlier loss from the headlines. Wright agreed to the suggestion.

Republicans were enraged. One Republican confronted then-Majority Leader Tm Foley (who succeeded Wright as Speaker, and later served as Ambassador to Japan), and mentioned that as the Book of Genesis had stated that God had created the world in six days, and rested on the seventh, the creation of an eighth day was quite the big deal. Sarcastically, the Republican asked Foley what the new day was being called. Foley replied that it was going to be called "The Guaranteed Deficit Reduction Act."

Go and read the whole thing.

Google Hits

I just got a google hit Is George Clooney Irish? Who cares - He's Creepy.

Wictory Wednesday Roundup

I'm getting lots of out-of-state visitors. If you want to some day visit California, I've got the real deal on the most fun you could have with Things You Should Do In California.

It's Wictory Wednesday


Today is Wictory Wednesday. Every Wednesday, I ask my readers to volunteer and/or donate to the Bush 2004 campaign.

If you're a blogger, you can join Wictory Wednesdays simply by putting up a post like this one every Wednesday, asking your readers to volunteer and/or donate to the Bush campaign. And do e-mail the polipundit so that he can add you to the Wictory Wednesday blogroll, which will be part of the Wictory Wednesday post on all participating blogs:

I've made a roundup on what the Wictory Wednesday crowd is up to. Please go visit them.

And please don't forget to give me your suggestions for Things you should do in America.

Argghhh!!! reminds us that today is National Ammo Day
Backcountry Conservative lets us know what's up with the Citadel
Blogs for Bush relays info about the dopes at ABC
The BlytheBlog says we don't need babysitters
Boots and Sabers tells us about Monika's dates
Bowling For Dean is a full-time Bush Blogger
BushBlog says some people think Southerners aren't Americans
BushCheney2004 reports on the President's most important speech
The Deeper Thinker wants to e-vote
Dustin.net has moved
Egged doesn't know why people sleep
ExPostFacto talks about Down Syndrome
Freedom of Thought jokes about Canadian healthcare
The Hedgehog Report keeps us up-to-date on Gov Erlich
The Irish Lass (that's me) has a crush on Sargent Shriver
Jarhead has a new home (on the web)
Jeremy Kissel says Cornyn is taking on the filibusters
Left Coast Conservative reminds us of Churchill's words
Mark Kilmer says the Indians don't like Dean
Matt Margolis reminisces about Mary Jo Kopechne
Miller's Time (my fellow BearFlagger) volunteers for Arnold
The Ole Miss Conservative knows alot about Mississippi politics
Pardon My English tells us what's happening in Taiwan
Polipundit (the Wictory Wednesday Captain) tells why we should be happy that President Bush has no primary challenge
Reagan Country reports on Liberal Assumptions
A Rice Grad loves poker
Ryne McClaren tells about the German Moore lovers
The Sarcastic Southerner was there for the Louisiana election
Slublog shares some memos
The Southern Conservatives keeps reading the Daily Kos
Spot On's looking for Republicans in Syracuse
The Viking Pundit wants recess appointments
The Wise Man has some advise for Senator Rockefeller

I Love Sargent Shriver

You should have seen him. At the end of the ceremony, the band was playing Culyfornya Here I Come. Sargent Shriver is up, using his cane like a Drum Major's Baton, leading the crowd in singing. He was clearly so happy.

It Was a Wonderful Day

On a wonderful day like today,
I defy any cloud to appear in the sky,
Dare any raindrop to plop in my eye
On a wonderful day like today.

On a wonderful morning like this
When the sun is as big as a yellow balloon;
Even the sparrows are signing in tune
On a wonderful morning like this.

On a morning like this I could kiss ev'rybody,
I'm so full of love and good will.
Let me say furthermore, I'd adore ev'rybody
To come and dine -- the pleasure's mine --
And I will play the bill!

May I take this occasion to say
That the whole human race
Should go down on its knees,
Show that we're grateful
For mornings like these
For the world's in a wonderful way
On a wonderful day like today.

(thanks Anthony Newley)

Wasn't the speech, ceremony, everything great!?

Text of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's inaugural address:

"Mr. Chief Justice; Governor and Mrs. Davis; Governor and Mrs. Wilson; Governor and Mrs. Deukmejian; Governor Brown; legislative leadership; constitutional officers; my fellow Californians:

I am humbled, I am moved -- and I am honored beyond words to be your governor.

To the thousands of you who came here today, I took this oath to serve you.

To others all across this state -- Democrats, Republicans, Independents -- it makes no difference. I took this oath to serve you.

To those who have no power, to those who have dropped out -- too weary or disappointed with politics as usual -- I took the oath to serve you.

I say to everyone here today and to all Californians, I will not forget my oath and I will not forget you.

Let me first thank Gov. Davis and Mrs. Davis and their entire administration for a smooth transition. There's been a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation, and I thank you for that.

My fellow citizens: Today is a new day in California. I did not seek this office to do things the way they've always been done. What I care about is restoring your confidence in your government.

When I became a citizen 20 years ago, I had to take a citizenship test. I had to learn about the history and the principles of our republic.

What I learned -- and I've never forgotten -- is sovereignty rests with the people, not the government.

In recent years, Californians have lost confidence. They've felt that the actions of their government did not represent the will of the people.

This election was not about replacing one man; it was not replacing one party. It was about changing the entire political climate of our state.

Everywhere I went during my campaign, I could feel the public hunger for our elected officials to work together, to work openly and to work for the greater good.

The election was the people's veto -- for politics as usual.

With the eyes of the world upon us, we did the dramatic. Now we must put the rancor of the past behind us and do the extraordinary.

It's no secret I'm a newcomer to politics. I realize I was elected on faith and hope. And I feel a great responsibility -- not to let the people down.

As soon as I go inside the Capitol behind me, I will sign my first order as governor.

I will sign Executive Order No. 1 -- which will repeal the 300 percent increase in the car tax.

I will issue a proclamation convening a special session of the Legislature to address California' fiscal crisis.

I will issue a proclamation convening a special session to reform our workers' compensation system.

I will call on the Legislature to repeal SB60 and I will work to reform government by bringing openness and full disclosure to public business.

I enter this office beholden to no one except you, my fellow citizens. I pledge my governorship to your interests, not to special interests.

So I've appointed to my Cabinet Republicans, Democrats and Independents -- because I want people to know that my administration is not about politics. It is about saving California.

The state of California is in crisis.

As I've said many times, we spent ourselves into the largest budget deficit in the nation.

We have the worst credit rating in the nation.

We have the highest workers' compensation costs in the nation.

Next year we will have the highest unemployment insurance costs in the nation.

And we have the worst business climate in the nation.

But even though these problems are staggering, they do not even compare to what Californians have overcome in the past.

Our state has endured earthquakes, floods and fires. The latest fires have destroyed lives, homes, businesses, and devastated hundreds of thousands of acres of the land that we love.

On behalf of my fellow citizens, I salute all those who have served on the front lines of the battle. Firefighters, emergency workers, law enforcement officials, National Guard and thousands of volunteers. As we watched the firestorms raging, we saw bravery that never faltered and determination that never wavered in a fight that never flagged.

To the families of those who gave their lives and those who have lost their lives, your loss is ours. As Californians, we mourn together, we fight together, and we will rebuild together.

And just as California will come back from the fires, we will also come back from fiscal adversity.

I know there are some of you who say that the Legislature and I will never agree on solutions to our problems. But I've found in my life that people often respond in remarkable ways to remarkable challenges.

In the words of President Kennedy, "I am an idealist without illusions."

I know it will be hard to put aside years of partisan bitterness.

I know it will be hard to overcome the political habits of the past.

But for guidance, let's look back in history to a period I studied when I became a citizen. The summer of 1787. Delegates of the original 13 states were meeting in Philadelphia.

The dream of a new nation was falling apart. Events were spiraling downward. Divisions were deep. Merchant against farmer. Big states against small. North against South.

Our founding fathers knew that the fate of the union was in their hands, just as the fate of California is in our hands.

What happened in that summer of 1787 is that they put their differences aside -- and produced the blueprint for our government; our Constitution. Their coming together has been called "the Miracle of Philadelphia."

Now, the members of the Legislature and I must bring about the "Miracle of Sacramento" -- a miracle based on cooperation, good will, new ideas -- and devotion to the long-term good of California.

What we face may look insurmountable. But I learned something from all those years of training and competing.

What I learned is that we are always stronger than we know. And California is like that, too.

We are stronger than we know.

There's a massive weight we must lift off our state.

Alone, I cannot lift it. But together, we can.

It's true; things may get harder before they get better. But I've never been afraid of the struggle. I've never been afraid of the fight and I have never been afraid of the hard work.

I will not rest until our fiscal house is in order.

I will not rest until California is a competitive job-creating machine.

I will not rest until the people of California come to see their government as a partner in their lives, not a roadblock to their dreams.

Today I ask all of you to join me in a new partnership for California.

One that is civil and respectful of our diverse population.

One that challenges each and every one of us to serve our state in a joyful, productive and creative way.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have an immigrant's optimism that what I have learned in citizen class is true: The system does work.

And I believe that with all of my heart.

I have big hopes for California. President Reagan spoke of America as "the shining city on the hill." I see California as the golden dream by the sea.

Perhaps some think this is fanciful or poetic, but to an immigrant like me, who, as a boy, saw Soviet tanks rolling through the streets of Austria, to someone like me who came here with absolutely nothing and gained absolutely everything, it is not fanciful to see this state as a golden dream.

For millions of people around the world, California has always glimmered with hope and glowed with opportunity. Millions of people around the world send their dreams to California with the hope their lives will follow.

My fellow citizens.

I have taken the oath to uphold the Constitution of California. Now, with your help and God's, I will also uphold the dream that is California.

Thank you very much.

God bless you, and may God bless California.

Thank you, thank you.

Today's the Day


I'm leaving for the swearing-in. We're assigned sections, but within those sections, it's first-come, first-serve. The gates open at 8:00 and my sister, niece and nephew, best pal and other pals will be there to cheer for Arnold. I'll fill you all in when I can, but for now... hear's my hit parade of Arnold posts.


August 28, 2003
I'm officially a Californian for Schwarzenegger. Look here.

And it looks like I may have been their very first donor ;^)


September 3, 2003
Nephew Patrick and I were amongst the throngs at the State Fair on Monday to greet Arnold. He was very enthused as he snapped a close-up photo of Arnold and shook his hands. Pat enjoys he benefits of being young and tall (he's 22 yrs, 6'6") and maneuvered himself right up front. Hope to post his pic soon.

Apparently Arnold invited some (or all?) of the other Republican candidates to join him at the fair. A couple of them were trying to work the crowd near me. One was a fellow with a long ponytail and the other was a woman from Placer County named Cheryl. I don't kow why, but this morning I looked her up on the web and realized that she was the younger sister of a college roommate of mine. Don't really remember much about her, but they grew up in a beautiful house on the bluffs of the American River in Carmichael. I don't know what would make a person want to run for gov as a novelty candidate. If you love your state, don't you realize that the thousand or so votes you take away from a mainstream candidate might be what makes him lose? It was only 3 years ago that the Presidency was won by that margin.

September 6, 2003
I just got back from Arnold's Sacramento fundraiser. There were approx 300 people in attendance and the ticket was $1000 per person, so he made some bank. He gave an incredibly fabulous inspirational speech. After, as he greeted the people... he said to me "You have a wonderful smile, an encouraging smile." I had some things I was going to say to him, offers of help, etc., but after his statement I thought this is perfect, why say more :^)


September 9, 2003
I was caught in the middle of a hornet's nest at the voter registration event with Maria Shriver today. The anti-recallers were primarily male union thugs. Clearly these guys had walked alot of picket lines and had some aggressive altercations outside the factory gates. With over 100 people shouting slogans (both anti and pro recall) Maria remained calm and focused, chatting up the press with a smile on her face.

September 18, 2003
Do you think this means Arnold will be living in the neighborhood?

KING: How about Sacramento? Are you looking forward to Sacramento? Not your kind of town, is it?

SCHWARZENEGGER: No, absolutely. You know, it's a funny thing, people sometimes come up to me and says, can you imagine you, Arnold, going form Hollywood to Sacramento? I say, you know something, I love Sacramento. I think that the whole, the huge, beautiful parks that they have there, the trees, that the buildings, the historic buildings and all this stuff, it's a beautiful quaint little town.



September 19, 2003
Today the Sacramento Chamber held their 9th Annual Perspectives Conference and the headliner was Dennis Miller

Some of his jokes...


If Bill Clinton were any more low rent he'd be a spring break destination.


I'm just saying listen, I'd like to have allies too. What's happening in this world right now, we have a competency chasm. We are getting real good at what we do and the whole world is going to hell in a handbasket. As that gap gets wider, they'll hate us more and more and more. We are simultaneously the most hated, feared, loved and admired planet — nation on this planet. In short, we are Frank Sinatra and you know something, the Chairman didn't get to be the Chairman lying down for punks outside the
Fountainbleu.


The only thing I have against Gray Davis is, you know, let's face facts. California is circling the crapper at the speed of light. The deficit doesn't even bother me that much. ... They talk about us owing like $400 billion or something. I always think, 'Do we actually owe somebody that?' And if we do, you know, don't pay 'em. Nobody pays us! There ya go, I just solved the deficit."


I look at the California budget, and I see that we're paying to remove tattoos. It's the petri dish for untethered liberalism. I'm telling you, this place is turning into Sweden. Except, at least there the blondes are authentic.


I would work for Arnold in a second. You know, it's no longer the San Andreas Fault. It's become Gray Davis's fault."



You know all the Democrats are going to hell in a handbasket. Now they got [California's] Nancy Pelosi. ... You ever see she has that pop-eyed look all the time? I always thought she might be hyper-thyroid, but then I heard her speak a couple times. She's stupid! The reason her eyes are so wide is that she's as shocked as we are that she made it that high!


Robert Byrd, this guy stands there and lectures Bush in the well of the Senate. He was in the Ku Klux Klan! He's demented. You know this guy's burning the cross at both ends! And you know something, if Robert Byrd were your grandfather and he came to Thanksgiving dinner and went off one of these demented screeds, everybody would sit there smiling at him, and as soon as he left the room, somebody'd say, 'Hey, what the hell are we gonna do about grandpa?


Howard Dean can roll up his sleeves in public all he wants, but as long as you can see that heart tattoo with Neville Chamberlain's name on his right forearm, he's never going to get off the pad. I hope they send Howard Dean out to do battle with Bush because he'll get his ass handed to him quicker than someone who just got out of liposuction surgery.



And the Clintons won't shut up. If that marriage were any more about convenience, they'd have to install a Slim-Jim rack and a Slurpee machine at the base of the bed. [Hillary] jumps on every opportunity to take a shot at Bush. They have a blackout in New York, she starts blaming it on Bush. You know, this woman doesn't miss a trick – unless it's the one her old man's with on any given night



When you notice that 15 of the 19 terrorists who attacked us are from the same country, that's not profiling, that's being minimally observant.


The French should just gas up the dingy and go fishing with Fredo, they are dead to me.



Shakespeare said first kill all the lawyers. I've been doing some some thinking, I think we could get away with it because if you kill all of them, at our murder trial, we wouldn't have adequate representation.


There's a lot of differing data, but as far as I can gather, over the last hundred years the temperature on this planet has gone up 1.8 degrees. Am I the only one who finds that amazingly stable? I could go back to my hotel room tonight and futz with the thermostat for three to four hours. I could not detect that difference.


i took some notes while he was speaking, but to get the words just right, my thanks to political humor





September 28, 2003
The sky is green, the sea is orange, the sun is blue. Jon Fleischman apparently supports Arnold.

September 29, 2003
Lots of posts all over the net about the California Republican Party endorsement for Arnold, but did you know that it was unanimous?


Some question the benefit of this endorsement - at least one big one - postage rates. Official state political parties receive the lowest possible postage rate. It use to be less than half the non-profit bulk mail rate (if memory serves)

October 5, 2003
I'm just back from the huge rally at the State Capitol - it'll be on all the nets tonight and in tomorrows papes. It was great fun but I was on security and am exhausted and in a puddle, so I have nothing witty to say. It was great fun. Reporters said it was the biggest turnout yet, and they had 7,500 in Bakersfield. I'd guess there were 10,000 cheering Arnold supporters in the park today.

I got a little bump from Bob Mulholland, who didn't get past my gate.

October 10, 2003
The Chron says that Arnold's looking for a home in Sacramento. I'm going to be scouring the papes for a nice big house in East Sac. Perhaps next year He'll be able to show it in the Sacred Heart School Christmas Home Tour

October 14, 2003
If they ever pick a date for the governor's inauguration, I'm planning a blogger's feast. I'll serve Rossi pasta (because they advertise on Rich Galen's Mullings.com)
and make something special from one of my many Nigela cookbooks (Nigella's father was a political ally of Margaret Thatcher). For dessert some GOP Ice Cream.

October 25, 2003
I've nearly completed the list I'll be submitting with my application to serve on the California Tourism Commission. Any last minute suggestions?

1. Sing at the Piano Bar at the Mission Ranch Inn, Carmel
2. White Water Rafting on the Kern River, followed by Prime Rib at Ewing's On the Kern, Kernville
3. Sail the San Francisco Bay
4. Watch the polo matches in Griffith Park
5. Take a night hike in Topanga State Park, Pacific Palisades
6. See a show at Yoshi's Jazz Supper Club, Oakland
7. Make a wish in the Snow White Fountain at Disneyland
8. Have a drink at Yamashiro's watching the blinking light at the top of the Capitol Records Building spell out "Hollywood" in Morse Code.
9. Shop with the musical geniuses on Haight Street, San Francisco
10. Sip some Barbera at Villa Toscano Winery, Amador
11. Drive a Convertible on the 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach
12. Hear a Jazz Singer at the park in Marina Del Rey
13. Watch Irma the Ghost play the piano at the Magic Castle in Hollywood.
14. Learn to Race at Thunderhill Park, Willows
15. Tour the State Capitol (will be way cooler when Arnold arrives)
16. Rent a beach cruiser in Santa Barbara
17. Jay Leno Show, Burbank
18. Take a hiking break at the Tourist Club Chalet, Mill Valley
19. Ride the Big Dipper in Santa Cruz
20. Go to Corky Carroll's Surf School, Huntington Beach
21. Rent a Houseboat on Lake Shasta
22. Watch a Whale, San Mateo
23. Enjoy Opera at the Bear Valley Music Festival
24. Hike the Tahoe Rim Trail
25. Fireworks on the Beach in Santa Barbara
26. Visit the oldest McDonald's in Downey
27. Make out in the garden @ the Norton Simon in Pasadena
28. Have a Bolivar at the Grand Havana in Beverly Hills
29. Stay awake at the Buena Vista Cafe
30. Brush Up On Your Shakespeare in Lake Tahoe
31. Be a Hip Chick at a Shag show.
32. Squish some clay at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach
33. Sing Summer Nights behind the stands at Marshall High
34. Row through the canals of Venice
35. Get certified to officiate at a California wedding at the Norwalk City Hall
36. Let Steven Spielberg's mom cook a kosher meal for you in West LA
37. Sleep on the beach at Pt. Mugu
38. See the Giants beat the Doggies in (newly named) SBC Park, San Francisco.
39. Kayaking on San Luis Obispo Bay followed by soaking in Sycamore Springs
40. Have a beer at Brennan's and watch the turtles race in Marina del Rey
41. Cut a rug with Buck Owens, Bakersfield
42. Watch the planes take off and land while you get drunk at the Encounter in that building at LAX
43. Go old-fashioned to the Victorian Christmas, Nevada City
44. Count Koi at the pond at the Sportsman's Lodge
45. Lose yourself in books in Brentwood
46. See some blood at a Rugby Game
47. Place some flowers on John Ritter's star on the "Walk of Fame" in Hollywood
48. Crash a party in Holmby Hills
49. Cruise by the Governor's Mansion, Sacramento
50. Swingtime at The Derby, Los Angeles
51. Dance at the Sacramento Jazz Festival
52. Have an afternoon beer at the Awahnee Hotel, Yosemite
53. Visit the Donner Memorial at Truckee, CA -- make bad jokes about cannibalism.
54. Go to the Rose Bowl Flea Market and get some really GOOD junk to replace your old worn-out junk.
55. Take your Harley on the Avenue of the Giants
56. Ride the cable cars in SF
57. Watch the Christmas boat parade in Newport Harbor.
58. Go off-roading in Death Valley
59. Place a wager on the horses at Del Mar ("And away they go!")
60. Take a cruise on the Tahoe Queen, Lake Tahoe.
61. Watch the sea otters play in the water at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and read Steinback's Cannery Row while enjoying a bowl of Clam Chowder soup.
62. Feel the celebrity handprints at Mann's Chinese Theatre.
63. Taste a Syrah at the Firestone Winery, Maybe you'll run into The Bachelor and Jen, Santa Barbara.
64. Ride a hot air balloon in Napa.
65. Pan for gold in the American River where John Sutter started the Gold Rush, Coloma (near Placerville)
66. Climb Half Dome in Yosemite (there's a trail up the back side).
67. Watch the sunrise over the Mojave Desert from the (aptly named) Sunrise Highway in the Laguna Mountains.
68. Waterski the Delta
69. Watch the hangliders take off at sunrise from Glacer Point, Yosemite NP
70. Visit the ultimate hands-on science museum, the Exploritorium in San Francisco.
71. Eat a lumberman's breakfast at the Samoa cookhouse, Humboldt County
72. Don't get cheated at Pat O'Shea's Irish Bar, San Francisco
73. Attend Gilroy's garlic festival and learn what good food really tastes like while those around you pass out:
74. Watch the sunset over the San Francisco Bay from Grizzly Peak Blvd in the Berkeley Hills.
75. Hang out on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley
76. Have a pint of quality microbrew in the garden of the Mendicino Brewing Company in Hopland, CA.
77. Shop at the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market.
78. Enjoy an In-N-Out double double with grilled onions while watching a drive in movie.
79. Try to figure out the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz.
80. Help assemble next year's Rose Parade float.
81. Ride a boogie board on the waves at San Clemente.
82. Watch the seals sunbathe on the beach at Children's Pool in La Jolla.
83. Celebrate the return of the swallows to Mission San Juan Capistrano on St. Joseph's Day, March 19th.
84. Take the tram to the top of the mountain in Palm Springs and go hiking.
85. Drink and dance the Sunday afternoon blues away at the Whole Enchilada and Moss Landing Inn, Monterey.
86. Roller blade along Venice Beach.
87. Take the ferry to Avalon on Catalina Island.
88. Surf in the Morning, Ski in the afternoon.
89. Have brunch at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego.
90. Visit Julia Morgan's grand design at Hearst Castle, Cambria
91. Go to the Big Game at Stanford or Cal.
92. Pamper yourself at the Golden Door Spa, San Diego
93. Hang with Tiger and Kevin Costner at the Tap Room, Pebble Beach
94. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
95. Shop on Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles
96. Celebrate Fleet Week on the Jeremiah O'Brien (one of the last remaining Liberty ships) in San Francisco.
97. Run the Rock-N-Roll Marathon, San Diego.
98. Bike and Drink in Calistoga, unwind with a mud bath
99. Cross the border at the Cal-Neva Lodge where Frank use to hang out, win a big jackpot, bring the money back to California to spend it, and
100. Have a Schnitzel at Schatzi's.

What numbers have you done?


November 7, 2003
Thank heaven for my non-puntual sister. We're going out of town for a few days, and she was supposed to be here an hour or so ago. But she's not, the mailman arrived, my invite for the Schwarzenegger Swearing-In arrived, and I've called to reserve us some seats.

Yahooooo

The Irish National Drink

Thanks Earthling for reminding us... Guiness really is good for us.

And I can't believe that no one can give me any insight into the central valley martians! (scroll down)

Infosmells

Justene at Calbog is getting some trouble from a bogus business directory publisher, Infotel. Xrlq spells out all the details and the blogospherics keeps a running blog on her defenders from the Bear Flag League.

I'm not a lawyer, but I do have some expertise in this area. I sell yellow page advertising for the phone company.

One result of the breakup of Ma Bell in 1984, was the proliferation of independent or niche phone books. The phone companies were obligated, by law, to sell their directory lists to anyone who wanted to buy them. As a consequence, hundreds of business directories and independent yellow page companies exist is the USA, most of whom have a pretty weak product. A common practice is to copy your ad from the phone book and send an invoice asking you to verify the information is correct for the next edition of the book. The invoice is very plain looking and states in small letters "This is not an Invoice" and that the ad will be $365 annually. You sign that the info is correct and now you've placed an advertising order. Their success is based on the fact that the amount is small enough that the bookkeeper sometimes just pays the bill.

When Dan Lungren was Attorney General, he took action against some of these companies, but I don't have access to the legal journals.

I have had dozens of customers show me invoices over the years. These companies do a huge business, and bring absolutely no value to the businesses who list or advertise with them.

Justene, enjoy your travels and forget about these scumbags. The Bear Flag League rushes out to defend you.

Martians visit Central California

Late Sunday afternoon, my sister and niece and I drove back to Sacramento from LA along I-5. We were about half way through Kern County when we noticed lightening flashes in the distance. Strange, there was no rain. Stranger still, these flashes occurred every two to three minutes. Strangest still they continued for almost 2 hours. We were captivated ... what could this be? The flashes were centered around Merced or so. We discussed the possibility of a UFO invasion. Perhaps news has spread and visitors are arriving from outer space for the Schwarzenegger inauguration. We saw between 25 and 50 of these flashes as we traveled north. Traffic on I-5 crawled along --- only 75 to 80 miles an hour rather than 90 +. Eventually we passed it.

Anyone know what we could have been seeing?