wonder-full
Wow. It seems like the Bush cronies are falling like dominoes. First, Karl Rove resigns and finishes his last day today. AG Alberto Gonzalez turned in his notice and will be stepping down. And now, Tony Snow announces that his last day will be September 14.
I keep wondering if there is something about to crash in the Bush administration. The same thing happened here in Birmingham before HealthSouth former CEO Richard Scrushy was indicted… Many of the staff started seeking out jobs.
I can’t say that I’m upset… I’m thrilled that Rove is leaving, as well as the step-down of Gonzalez. However, one must wonder just how much change is going to happen in the administration. Usually this kind of stuff happens after an election, not in the last few months of the term.
can you feel it?
I can feel it. It’s in my blood, and it’s part of my soul. This weekend marks the opening of the greatest time of the year, especially for Southerners: college football begins. And we, all of God’s precious football-lovin’ people say, ‘amen.’
There’s nothing quite like football season in the South. For many, the simple reciting of the seasons is: winter, spring, summer, football. It’s the anatomy of the autumn here in the South, and it’s the most highly anticipated sport from the beginning of summer. Everyone scouts out their team’s summer training reports, and they begin to name their personal top 10s, and they know every player like he’s an old buddy from down the street, no matter if you’re 8 or 80. For a Southerner, football is simply part of our DNA.
And there is a reason for its importance, and it lies in two words/three letters: Southeastern Conference (SEC). There is simply nothing quite like SEC football. Match them up against any other conference, and it’s not even an even playing field. In the South, football players are raised from childhood to play for your family’s team: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, or even Tennessee. All over the South, everyone adorns their favorite colors on Saturdays, whether you’re attending the game or the grocery store… so that everyone knows what side is yours.
And, thankfully, most know of the tradition of Southern football. Even ESPN presented an awe-inspiring article called ‘Pulled Pork and Pigskin.’ The opening image is enough to make a grown man cry. Thanks to an old college buddy/MDB member for the article!
Lastly, but not least… ROLL TIDE ROLL!
say cheese!
There are a few pics/screenshots that have made me incredibly happy this week (and for a few weeks, anyway).
Seriously, how can this not make you laugh. And now I’ll have trouble seeing them normal at any point in the future. This is now my point of reference.
Football season starts this Saturday, but I can’t say that I put a lot of faith into any coach that might wear this kind of hat to practice. Honestly, how can you respect that?
This week’s weather… The rain and cooler temps look fabulous to me, since I’ve almost died of heat stroke and the disappearance of rain for the past few months. Maybe this will decrease our drought level, to say the least.
the two-year mark
Two years ago, Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast from Louisiana, through Mississippi, and parts of Alabama. I’m constantly amazed at how the attention is diverted when talking about Katrina. While the eye of the hurricane dodged the city of New Orleans, the amount of rain poured into the city bore too much pressure on the weakness of the levees, and they were broken.
I’m sure that people will get upset with my thoughts on this, but the question has to be asked: what about Mississippi and Alabama? In Mississippi, houses were reduced to mere splinters, and the entire gambling industry in Biloxi put onto land from the bay (and the gambling industry is a large source of revenue for the state of Mississippi). In Alabama, the damage wasn’t quite as intense, but the areas of Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan were compromised. The U.S.S. Alabama was moved from its spot, and the last time it moved was when it was placed there as a monument/museum in Battleship Park. (Here again, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, and the U.S.S. Alabama are huge revenues for the tourism industry in Alabama.
What happened in New Orleans is horrific, and the images I saw during the catastrophe will never leave my mind, or the minds of many others. Those alive during Katrina were also alive to see the chaos and brutality of September 11. This is a generation that has seen the slaying in many innocent. My problem with the issue is that the focus of Katrina has been (for 90% of the coverage) in New Orleans. Here on the second anniversary of the hurricane, there have been no press opportunities of other localities, and no national push to rebuild the other areas.
Of course, there are conspiracy theories that say that the reason that Mississippi and Alabama had no problems with rebuilding is because of the partisan connections with the governors (both republican) and the President, also saying that the reason that the federal government did not respond to New Orleans faster was because of partisan tensions between Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D-LA) and President Bush. There is no evidence yet to show any of this, but it does make everyone wonder just how the hurricane affected each state and how they were able to rebuild.
As a simple bystander (via the television) for the media outlets, I’m surprised at how open President Bush claims he is, and yet his press conference was not open to the public, or even to residents of New Orleans. There were few African Americans represented in that room, which heavily conflicts with the actual population representation. It also bothers me that for a mayor who did so little during the hurricane, Mayor Ray Nagin was re-elected and placed back into a powerful position in which he did nothing in a time of crisis.
While I do not live on the coast, I am greatly affected by hurricanes living within a few hours from the coast. When they hit landfall, especially in Alabama, tornadic storms begin to form within the conditions and continue to destroy the land in different forms. Alabama has been hit many times by hurricanes, and it has a plan for each time, before and after. Other states are the same. My question to Louisiana is: why didn’t you have a plan? You have been prophesied that when the ‘Big One’ hit, you’d sink. Why didn’t you do more? Why haven’t you done more still? Two years later, the area is far behind the same areas that were hit by the same hurricane.
The aftermath of Katrina is impossible to forget. It is some of the worst damage that I have seen a hurricane make. The onslaught on so many unprepared and left-behind is discouraging – leaving only the question of who could have done more and what still remains to be done. I don’t believe that New Orleans is back to normal, as many commercials state. Maybe the upper class areas are back… but the other side of town is also a ghostly reminder that part of the city has been forgotten, almost intentionally.
wowsers
So, I’m still mid-vacation/research in Washington, D.C. Well, it’s almost over. I head back tomorrow via Charlotte, as I did on the way up.
Oh the stories that I will have to tell, and many of them are still trying to process themselves in my brain, but for now, I must cuddle with my pillow because I’ve got driving to do tomorrow. So, I’ll spill all the hilarious details when I pull back into Birmingham.
internets round-up: 08.13.07
After a burdensome and rough re-entry to graduate school, I’ve decided on a quick little vacation to visit some friends and ‘family’ that have been dear to me through the years. I won’t be completely vacationing… I’ll be doing research for my thesis, but hey… that’s just a day job.
Before I head out, there were a few things that were pretty stinkin’ eventful this week… And to lead off with the greatest story:
- Karl Rove is retiring… I think his resignation means that another angel gets its wings… or they’re preparing him a flame in hell. I can’t remember which one. Maybe it’s both! John Edwards had some parting words…
- A new Iraq report suggests the vulnerability of another Al-Qaeda attack. It’s shocking, unbelievable news… that we’ve known since 9/11.
- In the battle of the first and foremost primary/caucus that could possibly slip into December of THIS YEAR, Iowa has bowed out and vows to hold it in 2008.
- ‘W’ is asking for a crackdown on the border… shocker, I know.
- In another shocker, Tommy Thompson dropped from the presidential race. Did anyone really know who he was, anyway?
- It turns out that Guiliani could be this elections flip-flopper.
Enjoy, and bon voyage… minus the boat, add a car and many miles. Cheap, cheap vacation.
take me out
Stick a fork in me, I’m done… with the summer semester. Done, done, done, done.
Ahh, a night off. I can’t remember what this feels like. And, I just don’t know what to do with myself. Well, I know for one, I won’t be outside… it’s too darn hot.
I can’t believe I just made a post with some of it quoting songs.
under the radar
In case you don’t keep up with Birmingham’s rendezvous with the stars (well, unless you were in Birmingham, I doubt you would), Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey dropped into Alabama the Beautiful on July 24, 2007. He had 2 stops on his trip: Barber Motorsports Park, where he would race; and Children’s Hospital, where he showed up as a wish for Addison Sewell, as part of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Dr. McDreamy flew under the scope of most news sources, and most Alabamians never knew he was in town until after the fact.
If you’re a fan, stay tuned for an orange bracelet that Dempsey has promised to wear in the next season. It states ‘Stay Strong,’ and was a gift to Addison and all of her friends.
at long last
The scrunched version of a summer semester has almost come to a close. I’ve got about 3 days left of it, and I’ll call it complete. Then, school starts back on August 22. I’m bound and determined to get my Master’s done in a year. My program director advises to take my time… but, I’m not a 23-year-old who just finished a B.A. and doesn’t know what to do with life. I’ve got plans, goals, a life to catch up to those who’ve already moved on. Yeah, yeah, it’s my life. But, I’m tired of not having what I want. So, I work harder. I’m impatient. So, sue me.
It’s been forever it seems since I’ve mentioned anything worthwhile, or anything at all. I’ve been buried under books and papers for the past 2 weeks trying to make what I’ve researched come out clearly, succinctly, and still manage to fill 12-15 pages for my grad class. I think it worked… we’ll see. You can check it out if you’re up for a read about an attempt to desegregate the monumental Birmingham Terminal Station that once stood above Fifth Avenue North. It’s a doozie, and it just might not make as much sense as I had hoped, since I was barely running on adrenaline.
I also got to see my cousin in the Army who was home on pass this weekend. Wow, they grow up fast. He’s about 8 years younger than me and it seems like he’s already accomplished the world as an expert marksman and a second class ranking. I just hate that they don’t get news while they’re at boot camp. Seems a little crazy. They had no idea that the Minnesota bridge had collapsed, or that Bush and Cheney had surgeries 2 weekends apart. But, my little cuz cleans up well. I hope he’ll manage the last 4 weeks of basic and graduate, then head on to Airborne Ranger School. That is, of course, if he doesn’t take the offer of honor guard at Arlington, which has been dangled. We’ll see what he does…
Other than that, there are a couple of interesting stories floating around on the ‘internets.’ Take a gander if you’d like:
- Cheney had his pacemaker replaced… and he’s still alive. Rah rah rah rah rah baboon heart rah rah rah.
- Governor Otter got a surprise in his lawn…
- Gates says that a troop reduction/withdrawal is possible starting in ‘07.
- This week’s PostSecret is a good one.
- If you’re from Birmingham, you’ll be sad to know that Jim Skinner, Sr. passed away on Saturday. That means no more funny “a hundred dollars says we’ll beat the best deal, regardless” commercials.
- Bush expands eavesdropping on foreign terror suspects… watch out, America, we’re next. The Bush admin is laughing at the First Amendment and getting away with murder.
- One WaPo commentary states that the Dems have changed quite a bit over time… good read.
That’ll do, Pig, that’ll do.
