TalkJunkie

“The pilot announced the weather (sunny and 60) in three languages and cheerfully told us all to have a great day. Have a great day may seem an odd thing to say to people who just arrived in Iraq, but this is Kurdistan. I did, indeed, have a great day.”

Michael Totten gives an update during his fourth trip in fourteen months to the northern part of Iraq. He describes the visible progress of development everywhere: a western-style mall to encompass 6,000 stores and offices, thousands of brand new houses and an upcoming massive tourist resort from Hilton.

But he also discusses the obstacles ahead for an Iraqi Kurdistan, where 99.8 percent of Kurds have voted for full independence from Iraq. Read A New Power Rises in Iraq.

average spending and revenue increases are displayed on a chart on QandO. The chart is from the Heritage Foundation. The story is tells is sickening.

I was sitting in Firewaters in Atlantic City, late Sunday night, transfixed on the view across the bar, a luscious sight, inviting, begging me to partake of the joys of 50, yes fifty beertaps. Yes, the flight of taps along the wall was speaking to me.

My beer day had begun early in the afternoon at the Convention Center and the 2nd Atlantic City Beer Fest. After 10 hours, taps can talk. But out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Fred Thompson on Fox. Senator Breckgirl wouldn’t have been able to distract me from the imperial porter calling my name.

But Thompson commands attention, even after a long day of drinking, I mean tasting. Yes I was just tasting.

American voters are trying to satisfy a thirst also. They want an alternative from the usual political swill. Not being able to hear the tv audio, I wondered if he had declared. Not yet it turned out, but every few days it seems more likely. So if you’d like to learn even more about the real Fred Thompson, then take a look at Frank Facts About Fred from IMAO. For instance, “Fred Thompson took over what was Al Gore’s Senate seat, thereby dramatically reducing the Senate’s carbon footprint.” and “Fred Thompson once ended a filibuster by ripping out a Senator’s heart and showing it to him before he died.”

Every one of the Frank Facts is absolutely true. The imperial porter told me so.

Think there might be any radio personalities running for president in the near future? Well there just might be. Recently an ABC host and commentator for the Paul Harvey program, Fred Thompson is starting to generate a lot of buzz about a possible run. Thompson is best known for his extensive acting career but also spent a little time in Washington as a U.S. Senator. But I wouldn’t hold that against him.

Actually, Thompson was twice elected to the senate from Tennessee, both times taking 60% or more of the vote, for the seat vacated by Algore. And his political life precedes his acting career having been an assistant U.S. Attorney and later co-chief counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee. Lets see, Hillary worked in Washington as an advisor to the House Committee at the same time. We might have opposing candidates whose early political careers started with Watergate.

Thompson was on the Levin show a few days ago discussing the Libby verdict. Asked by Mark towards the end of the interview whether he had any upcoming announcements, he seemingly left open the possibility of a candidacy, saying he’ll “have a little something to say about it before too long.” Thompson is supposedly a close friend of McCain, so maybe he’ll rule out a run. Or if McCain fades maybe he will run. Or he might be a possiblity for the second spot on a ticket. There’s lots of discussion on all the possible scenarios. There’s even a forum site dedicated to a possible campaign called draftfredthompson.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that roughly 50 percent of the adults in this country are simply too ignorant and functionally incompetent to be living in a free society.”

So begins the description on Amazon of “Somebody’s Gotta Say It”, the new book offering from Neal Boortz. It continues, “The Democrats’ theme for 2008 will be ‘The Common Good.’ I can’t speak for you, but I am an individual. Government exists to protect my rights, not to order my life. And I damn sure don’t exist to serve government.”

The Boortz book tour is in full-swing and his media appearances and book-signings are listed here.

Penn announced at the start of Friday’s show that it would be the last. He explained that the one hour show was not exactly an optimum format for radio. And that it “is just because I can’t do more than an hour in the morning.” Penn does his Vegas act with Teller each night and said he also would like to “see my kids.”

Good for him. Its no wonder he’s a bit short on time to spend on the program. Besides the Vegas act, Penn and Teller are also debuting the fifth season of their Showtime program Penn & Teller: Bullshit! on March 22. And Penn has yet another ongoing show – his NBC game show Identity, along with writing and other projects.

Penn Radio was a great break from the hardcore political talk of most talk radio. There’s not exactly an abundance of comedic libertarian programming. As yet, his recent archived shows including Friday’s final program are still available on the freefm site. – Update – Geez, it sure didn’t take long for those fine folks at CBS to kill that audio. They couldn’t leave it up more than a few freaking DAYS??

If they do happen to do anything new on the radio, Penn said it would be announced on the website pennandteller.com.

From a sobering article mentioned in a discussion thread on Free Republic. –

Cudahy resembles a Mexican border town more than it does a Los Angeles suburb.

It’s a well-named article – “The Town the Law Forgot.” I’m sure we can expect quick appropriate action from State Attorney General Moonbeam.