This headline:

Falls under the news category of "well, no shit." I love these studies that state something I could have told you with just anecdotal evidence and an ice cold mojito. I don't know what research they used, but let's take a sip of gin and get our own conclusions.

Is the military ready for a homeland attack? You cannot cite any sources to back up your claims. GO..

I don't believe the military is ready to mobilize after an attack. Our troops are spread thin in engagements around the world, so much so that I believe Reservists are still being called up. That has a double whammy effect. A.) There aren't as many troops on U.S. soil to respond quickly and many "First Responders" are also Reservists that have been called to active duty. That could possibly thin out the numbers of first responders in local communities.

Also, the bulk of military budgeting is focused on the war at this time and not on domestic military needs.

An in depth study on this shouldn't be on the fact whether or not the military is prepared, because we have already seen an example of enormous unpreparedness during 2005's Hurricane Katrina. A study should focus on what milestones we expect the military to achieve so that we are prepared, as a nation, for a domestic catastrophe.

Done. Now it's your turn. Is the military ready for a domestic attack/catastrophe. GIve us a report without sources or analysis. Do not make up fake statistics. Don't blame it on an incompetent administration or George Bush, and let's see what you come up.

Best one gets a prize.

Seriously, there may be a lot of things you are at risk for in Round Rock but terrorism isn't one of them. What is a terrorist target in our auspicious suburb? A TGIFriday's getting car bombed?

Austin was added to this list as well, which is equally as ridiculous...just not as funny. Austin is, by far, at risk...from startup companies that fail and create economic issues, speculative real estate that drives up the prices and eventually goes bust...oh and dope-smoking hippies. Ugh. Hate them the most.

It's so exciting! What stupid new equipment will the cities buy with their federal money?

No, that's not Rick Perry's drag name, but it is what he thinks will happen if Hillary Clinton is elected. Perry's endorsement meant so much to Rudy that he decided to try it again with McCain.

It's funny he said that because hell in a handbasket is pretty much what's happened to Texas under his administration. I guess it takes one to know one.

Oh, in case you have the time to listen to 37 minutes of rambling from Rick, KXAN has posted the entire thing on their YouTube channel.

But, he still thinks George Bush is a tool.

The politicos say that there is no way that a Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton ticket could occur. Too much bad blood. No chance whatsoever. Too polarizing. Well, there was no way Kennedy would ever pick Johnson. Clinton might pick Obama, but I don't see Obama picking Clinton. One thing we know: no one will pick Governor 39%!

Ok, Mike. Read Acts 5:38 -- "For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." If God wanted you to be president, you would be winning! (Who actually thinks God cares about our elections? She has a lot more to worry about than our elections!) You could apply this to Romney also, except that we know Moroney is not a Christian!

via freakgirl

The GOP Presidential debate last night. I probably won't watch the Dem debate in California tonight, either. What is it going to be, an hour long argument between Clinton and Obama?

I did watch the clips of the GOP debate and I loved that Romney claims McCain is outside the mainstream of the Republican party because if Romney is IN the mainstream then Lord help us! In Florida he said that America should return to a time when people waited until after marriage to have babies. Oh yes, the 1950's was a great time. There were back alley abortions, a cold war with the Soviet Union and black people couldn't eat at the Woolworth's counter. But, on the positive side, I think people sure did dress smartly, didn't they? I could get a fedora!

Good. That is all.

I'm off to get some Veuve.

Rudy's out and will maybe endorse McCain? McCain was grinning like an old man that just crapped his pants last night in his victory speech last night. The best part about this news is that I don't have to keep trying to spell Giuliani right anymore! Whew!

Romney says he'll stay in the race. Great, it means we still have to pay attention through Super Tuesday. I guess it now looks like there will be some presidential campaign money spent in Texas for the first time in a while.

Pink Lady always posts when she sees somebody out and about and how they shun her. Yesterday morning I was Austin Java for a butt crack of dawn breakfast meeting and standing next to me getting coffee or breakfast or something was none other than Patrick Rose. He had no idea who I was, but when I turned back he was gone.

I said to the girl at the counter, "Did I just make Patrick Rose leave?" She replied, "You kind of have that affect on people." Burrrrrrn.

For all their big talk, the Democrats in Congress are not impressing me. All the shouting and rhetoric about the government overstepping and Bush abusing power, yet they just extended the surveillance crap? Seriously? Seriously.

As someone that has some conservative leanings, this bothers me. I do not care for government intrusion into privacy. I also do not believe that everybody is a potential terrorist. While I appreciate a strong national defense, I am well entrenched in my opinion that this administration has stepped over the line on too many occasions to count.

Poor job, Congress. Poor.

That this dumbass has never voted before. Why is she going to mess up a good thing this time?

I have to say...Lloyd Doggett's response was really my favorite to the State of the Union. Short, to the point and was a major Burrrrrrrn.

"There's nothing wrong with the state of the union that cannot be made better by getting a new President. 357 more days and counting. Meanwhile, he remains an obstacle to both a sound economy and a sane foreign policy. He can talk of benchmarks or earmarks, but all the President is really doing is marking time until his successor can begin cleaning up his mess."

Senator KBH released a statement of affection for the president. Including, "We must only accept victory in Iraq and we can only do that if the Congress fully funds the troops ably led by Gen. Petraeus." Really? KBH? So, at what cost? I mean in all categories...money, lives, relations with other countries, threat to our own crumbling economy....just full speed ahead to victory, damn the torpedoes?

See, I know KBH is not stupid. But, this kind of statement released with these platitudes you would expect from a third grade Sunday School teacher irritate me. Dear Senator Hutchison: I am not retarded. Please quit talking to me like I am. Oh, an your hair looks like a wig.

State Senator Leticia Van de Putte gave a response broadcast on Univision, I think. It's posted on YouTube and too bad the only Spanish I know is "piso mojado" or I could tell you about the content.

Rep. Mike Conaway also released a statement. Who? I don't know either, but he's got his finger on the pulse of America....I tell you what. Here's his gem sentence: "As always, the number one priority continues to be keeping our homeland secure." Yes, sir, as foreclosure rates climb higher than ever before and bankruptcies sweep the nation and oil prices rise and drought scours parts of the country and corporations practice predatory lending...the number one priority remains homeland security. There is nothing to fear but Republican fear mongerers and do-nothing congressman, Conaway. So thanks for that. 'Tard.

Pinkdome's analysis. LAST ONE! LAST SOTU from George Bush! Everybody dance now!

There's a press conference tomorrow, so we'll get the deets. Anybody know who wants that seat...real bad?

Jenny Hoff at KXAN is doing her first liveblog, ever. Go visit and comment!

Here's the text of the speech in case you couldn't bear to hear him speak.

Glen Maxey, the former legislator, is running for Travis County Tax Assessor. The Statesman ran a piece that claims he asked the District Attorney for special treatment for his lover. Maxey clearly wasn't prepared for such an attack and stumbled in his answers.

The Statesman's sensationalist reporting was very tittalating and spends an inordinate amount of time on the young paramour, painting him as rough street trade.

I do think that if you knew the District Attorney and your husband/wife/child was facing jail time you might go to them and talk about what you should do as a family member and how you could help. Not to ask them for leniency, but still I am not sure we wouldn't all do the same thing.

Two Dems have filed to take on U.S. Rep Michael McCaul in Austin. McCaul's district includes West and North Austin and parts of Pflugerville and Manor. One is a policy wonk that isn't raising a lot of money and the other is a folksy lawyer that had his own show on Fox Television.

This is a pretty vulnerable district for the Republicans. Even Ted Ankrum got 40% of the vote in 2006 and he didn't have hardly any money at all.

Does the 'folksy lawyer' gig still work in Texas?

Since Charleston is my real home, I know a little bit about the state. First, outside of Charleston it's f'ing scary. Much like Austin, when you pass Crosstown Blvd, it's no teeth and aggressive ignorance for miles and miles.

I'm actually a little surprised that Obama took SC. I knew Edwards wouldn't because even though he's got roots from the area, people hate him there. He was a trial lawyer, you know. Plus, he's the richest man in NC and lives in a big ass mansion. So, a.) He's new money and not Southern Aristocracy and if there's one thing we hate it's interlopers and b.) Running around saying you're the son of a millworker gets old. We all want to say, "But you sure are rich now, John." Besides that, more than half the GD populations of SC and NC are sons and daughters of mill workers. What the heck do you think was the economic roots of those states...nuclear engineering?

Ok, on to Clinton. While people may have loved Bill...or begrudgingly accepted him in the South, that love did not and does not translate to Hillary. When I visit, I hear people talk about her and some literally think she is Satan. I'm not talking about thinking she's a devil...they think she is the literal Lucifer himself come to bring the Apocalypse if she is elected. I know.

I believe this trend will be similar in her support throughout the Southern states.

So, that leaves us with Obama. The South has a large percentage of African-American voters and young voters. (Maybe? I don't know...you know I don't look at statistics. I just make them up.) I'll just say there's a lot more black people back home because I see them and I don't see as many in Austin. There's the basis for my hypothesis. I'm a social scientist! Look at me!

Obama's victory cut across all demos and is an interesting look at changing attitudes and voter behavior in the South.

The vote for Obama tells me that people are fired up. They do want dramatic change and if there is anything South Carolina will do...it's stir some shit up. You'll remember it was that hot head Calhoun that basically started the whole "Let's secede, y'all." thing.