Thursday, February 28, 2008

Fearless Political Predictions

The clock is ticking, ticking away on what in my life has been one of the best, most exciting Primary seasons ever. And this is why I am a political junkie, for 20 debates, a slew of caucuses and primaries, and endless opinions from political pundits. I would not be an amateur pundit myself if I did not have an opinion and of course I need to share it.

Tuesday March 4
Hillary will win in Rhode Island. They really just do not like Patrick Kennedy, even though they keep electing him. Plus there is a heavy hispanic population in the Providence area, as well as out by the coast, and Hispanics are still in Hillary's corner.

Obama will win Vermont. Vermont is one of the liberalist states this side of Oregon. Its the home of Ben and Jerry for pete's sake. Obama has held strong there and will continue too.

Hillary will win Texas, but in a win so close that it will not feel like a victory for her. I am talking about one of those votes where if you live on the East Coast, you will need to stay up until 2 in the morning to have an idea of what is going on. Hillary will win, but the delegate count will be so close that it will barely be a win.

So, it will rattle down to Ohio. In my heart I think Hillary will win by single digits. In my head I think it will be more. But I am also clouded in my judgement. There is a part of me that wants the Pennsylvania Primary to count, so I kind of need Hillary to win, but not by much. But, I really have a leaning towards Obama, so I am torn. Anyway, Hillary will win in the Buckeye state, and by just enough that it will not be close, but will not be a blow out. Which means, nothing will be that settled.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Thursday Thirteen #62-The Consumerist one


Thirteen Articles from This Weeks Consumerist


I have been slacking with my Thursday Thirteen posts recently, partly because I have been swamped at work and partly because I do not want to give either of the Democratic candidates the patented Sparky Duck kiss of death.
So, I have been reading Consumerist faithfully this week, getting my news and the like. Its actually been better than the news on TV, because it actually talks about stuff that is affecting us.

So 13 stories from this week...

1.How some bars in the North are getting around a smoking ban

2.Comcast being Comcast and affecting your credit while they are at it.

3.Is your vet ripping you off? Yes usually

4.Banks sure should be not for profit, since they make no profit

5.Comcast is one of the worst in the country

6.Verizon will be with you sometime between Monday & Friday

7.I need damned Hybrid

8.Phew, the Duck family is not the only ones who love Credit Cards

9.Somebody that sells Nano missed this whole recession thing

10.Lets all vote for Comcast

11.You may wanna think about dumping your Wachovia stock

12.Countrywide is having a fire sale

13.Phishing calls can be funny, when the phishee fights back



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!





Comatose in Cleveland

I looked forward to the debate all day yesterday, especially after our inspectors left the office and did not shut us down, which is always a bonus. I figured it was going to be the a throwdown lash out from the Clinton Campaign, to try and steal some traction.

Boy was I wrong. After the first 15 minute discussion on healthcare, which did crackle with intensity, there were really no big hits from either side. Clinton was able to get off a decent line about pillows, except for the fact that it was a line borrowed from a SNL skit and Obama deflected some tough questions and was able to avoid the a slip up when it came to Clinton's speech over the weekend about clouds parting and angels singing, an obvious jab at Obama and his speaking prowess.

Clinton probably won the debate on points, but in no way was it the rout that she needed it to be. I do not think that it will be over next Tuesday, but I do think it will be darn close to over and it maybe time to wrap it all up there. We shall see though.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Yes Because of a Stupid Snowball

Philadelphia has always had a violent edge to it. Even when things were going great under Mayor (now Governor) Rendell, you did not go to North Philadelphia if you did not have too. You drove fast through Wyomissing. You did not mention that you were a member of the MOVE movement.

Violence is spreading out more now though. Center City is still relatively safe, as is South Street, but things are devolving around it. The suburbs are still quite nice, but there are now alot more blocks and neighborhoods that are "quick honey speed up" right up next to the safe spots. And things continue to get odd.

Look at this story this weekend, a teen was shot and later died from his wounds after hitting an adult in the face with a snowball. And it was not a knee jerk reaction either out of anger. The gunman actually left, had a chance to calm down and still returned with an automatic weapon and shot the teen in the head.

A young man who had been shot in the head over a snowball fight yesterday -- on his 16th birthday -- died this morning.

Tavin Rutledge had been at Temple University Hospital on life support. He was pronounced dead at 11:34 a.m.


Yes, in a awful twist, it was the victims 16th birthday.

Now, when I was a kid, I threw a snowball or 20 at a passing car, and it would occasionally land atop a roof of the moving vehicle. Stupid stupid stupid. But, I only had fear of getting a whipping from my parents if I was caught, not a fear of facing down a Glock because of my good aim.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Race for the Gold Dude

This time of year is a time full of predictions. Heck, March Madness is right around the corner, which means everyone get your pencils ready for the office pools. And while I do have a prediction in politics, I figure I should let it sit and wait until a post that someone may read.

Tonight its the Oscars. I can predict one thing that Mrs Duck & I agree on, Jon Stewart will do a capable job. It wont be stellar, but we will chortle.

Other than that, the Mrs and I dont agree too much when it comes to movies, so we had a little contest, Predict the Oscars. I will give you 12 predictions from her and 10 predictions from me, and you can laugh at one of us tomorrow.

Mrs Duck:

Original Screenplay: MICHAEL CLAYTON

2. Adapted Screenplay: NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

3.Original Score; THE KITE RUNNER

4.Makeup: PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN 3

5.Long Form Documentary: SICKO

6.Directing: THERE WILL BE BLOOD

7.Costume: ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE

8.Actress in a Supporting: SAOIRISE ROMAN ATONEMENT

9.Actor in a Supporting: JAVIER BARDEM NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

10.Actress Leading: ELLEN PAGE JUNO

11.Actor Leading: DANIEL DAY LEWIS THERE WILL BE BLOOD

12.Best Picture: THERE WILL BE BLOOD


Sparky Duck

1.Original Screenplay: JUNO

2.Adapted Screenplay: ATONEMENT

3.Original Score: MICHAEL CLAYTON

4.Makeup: PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN 3

5.Long Form Documentary: SICKO

6.Directing: THERE WILL BE BLOOD

7.Costume: LA VIE EN ROSE

8.Actress Supporting: CATE BLANCHETT IM NOT THERE

9.Actor Supporting: JAVIER BARDEM NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

10. Actress Leading: MARION COTILLARD LA VIE EN ROSE

11.Actor Leading: GEORGE CLOONEY MICHAEL CLAYTON

12. Best Picture: THERE WILL BE BLOOD

Let the debating begin....

Saturday, February 23, 2008

February 21 was a good day for hotness

Though I will have to say, I think it is better on the eyes for the guys as opposed to the gals. But, I do not have the best opinion, since I am not too sure what a hot guy is. I go off other peoples advice, but hey, this duck doesnt swing that way.

Anyway, I had this blog post idea for the actual day (February 21) but I am a bad blogger. That or I do way too much politics.

Charlotte Church has grown up nicely. And apparently she is also a bit of a bitch. Not that I could care one bit




Ellen Page, who could have a very big day this Sunday in Los Angeles, is growing into the cuteness displayed in Xmen. Plus she was funny on Letterman.




People say she has a fat ass now, but Jennifer Love Hewitt is still a fantasy girl to me. Heck, she is the only reason to watch Ghost Whisperer. Especially in the episode where the handcuffed her to a bed, ohhh doggy.




Add all that to Billy Baldwin...




and porn starlet Leah Lexington



and I would say Feb 21 was a Birthday for many different tastes

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Local Texas Station

Is what I must be watching, because a half hour in, we are talking about a border fence in the Austin Debate. Good Gravy, talk about how I am going to make some freaking money and not have the creditors ready to call. Or maybe, hmmm lets see, the War in Iraq

Brief Austin Debate Post

I do not plan on blogging the whole debate, probably because I was out at work until almost 7 again tonight and have to be back at 8 am, but

Nice of Cnn to have our first pandering question to the Hispanics in the audience. A question about Cuba? Who the fuck really cares about Cuba?? Oh, Hill's supporters do, I see.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Worth the Cost

1.Working from 8 am and then getting home finally at 10:30 pm=$Exhaustion.

2.Watching your full tank drop below half a gas tank in 2 days=$7

3.Lack of allergy medicine when it should have been taken at 7pm=Stuffy nose

4.Two hours back and forth driving=$ Bad Back

5.The fact that the wedding albums are finally locked up and all set for final printing= PRICELESS

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Louisville Sob Story

We are watching Extreme Home Makeover, and there are basing themselves this week in Louisville, Kentucky. I know Mrs Duck has sobbed up in the first 15 minutes and I can certainly say that when they played the Call to the Post, since it is Louisville, home of the Kentucky Derby, I felt a ball of sob crawl up into my throat.
There is still a half hour to go on TiVo, sobfest to come.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Colder Than a Witch's Teet

Not that I know how cold a Witches teet really is, thank you very much. My past conquests have actually been alive and well and only witches in the Wiccan form.

It was so cold this morning that there were no birds outside. They were tucked into some hovel somewhere, peeking down and saying, "hey look at this idiot outside smoking, what a moron." This is an opinion that is also shared by my wife, but for many different reasons.

It makes me think that the fun dream of seeing a football game from famed Lambeau Field and its frozen tundra may be a tad crazy. Though if you really think about it, the difference between a game at Lambeau and living in this 14 degree shit, is that after 3 hours of spending time with 50,000 of my closest friends, I get to go home to the warmer world of normal people. In this frozen cold mess, there seems to be no escape.

One side benefit is that it does make me sleepy and snuggly, two good things for Mrs Duck, though since she is still feeling a bit under the weather, she may not agree. She is going to move over and give me room on the couch, though dammit!

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Poetry Train says hello to Alicia Keys

First, real quick, if you saw the Grammy's on Sunday, you had to see Tina Turner. Holy cow, that woman still looks like she could kick my ass. And sing all about it while doing it. She is going to be 68, thats right SIXTY FUCKING EIGHT in November. Man, and I look like shit now at 35.

Anyway onto the music/poetry. I had a couple of songs being considered for this week, but I went with something a little more chipper in its tone. Plus, in the right look, Alicia Keys can look gorgeous.

No One

I just want you close
Where you can stay forever
You can be sure
That it will only get better

You and me together
Through the days and nights
I dont worry cause
Everythings gonna be alright
People keep talking
They can say what they like
But all I know is everything's gonna be alright

No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
You you
Can get in the way of what I feel for you

When the rain is pouring down
And my heart is hurting
You will always be around
This I know for certain

You and me together
Through the days and nights
I dont worry cause
Everythings gonna be alright
People keep talking
They can say what they like
But all I know is everything's gonna be alright

No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
You you
Can get in the way of what I feel for you

I know some people search the world
To find something like what we have
I know people will try
Try to divide
Something so real
So till the end of time
Im telling you that

No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
oh oh oh....




Jump aboard the Poetry Train when it gets itself rolling, its always a great way to start the week.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Its Time to Believe

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality.

Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation.

Yes we can repair this world.

Yes we can.

Nevermind


The liberals of Wazzou come through. Though if you look at it, its Seattle and Tacoma and a bunch of hicks out in the East of Washington. Yet, Obama is going to win. In my heart it also means he will take Oregon, whenever they have there election. So, the Hill has to hang her hat on Texas.

Nebraska went to who???

Okay I know, Obama did well in Iowa and he always does well in caucuses, but if you could have sat down and told me that Barack Obama would win in Nebraska when he was not a wishbone quarterback for the Cornhuskers, I would have said you need to drink more corn grain. If he wins Washington, Clinton could be in serious trouble going forward

Friday, February 08, 2008

Weekend Bumping Uglies

Trust me, I never thought I would ever be using that as a title, I mean seriously, so many better ways to talk about meaningless random sex. Aren't there?

Anyway, let me direct you over to a little quiz at the Monkey Barn.


A Time to Screw


I figured that I have some pretty sick twisted perverted imaginative readers, so why not let them lose on a Hyperion and Company creation. So wander over, answer the questions and tell em the fine feathered friend said hello. Plus lemme know so I can see your answers.

More slow drips of brillance

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Inspiration in slow doses

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Missouri is still a surreal mess

with about 2500 votes seperating the Dems and only about 6000 votes seperating Huckster and McCain. As California will press on deep into the night, as the cities come in slowly, each campaign holding there cards until they can not anymore. This is too much freaking fun. Wait, Hillary takes Cali at 12:15. Great, more from Terry Ratface McAulliffe, the man who fucked up the Democratic Party.

Alaska & Missouri is still out there, though Alaska still has 45 minutes, which I will not be awake for. Check CNN in the morning.

Thanks for reading

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Huckabee wins in Tennessee

And Mitt Romney continues to be driven battier and battier by some governor of podunk Arkansas

*11:55*
Obama takes Colorado and Missouri continues to be a mess, even possibly spiraling to a recount. Alaska could be decided before Missouri is.

Hillary Takes Arizona

Which makes me a bit nervous, since there are alot of midwesterners in Arizona, especially if it comes down to Ohio. Alot of Ohioans in Arizona and that might be the state it all comes down too.

Gophers Go Obama

Proving that Obama represents the liberal wing of the Democratic party. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is hard to decide.

Hillary's speech is not bad, not exactly inspiring but not bad.

Romney wins North Dakota, huge turnout for the white supremecists (Ok, thats a joke). Good Kings Ron Paul win come in third.

Cali too close to call for both parties and Arizona still to close in the Dems.

Obama wins North Dakota

And I ask, who the hell knew there were Democrats in North Dakota.

I can not believe I am sitting here and wondering what the folks in Kansas and Missouri think.

*10:05*
Moonshine Mike speaking in the Midwest somewhere. If you need a nap, now is the time to grab it

*10:30*

And here comes Mitt, convenietly making sure he speaks before the polls close in Cali, which means its Montana for him and thats about it. Yet he says the campaign will continue

*10:53*

And now Hillary speaks, which is a tad ponderous to me. California is still not closed and AZ is still undecided

In Honor of Mardi Gras

DOOOOOOONNNNNUTTTT

Screw the Polls

Bond, come in Bond

Well Fuck

NJ to Clinton

9:00 Clinton takes NY...

which is not a surprise, really. But Obama wins Delaware, which is why NJ has still not been called. South Jersey and Delaware have a heavy Philadelphia influence, and they are going to go Obama.

Missouri & Oklahoma still too close to call on the Republican side, Missouri is more surprising then the Okies, Oklahoma is close to Arkansas, Moonshines former home.

Massachusetts for Clinton

I must say I am a tad bit surprised by this, just because the Massachusetts/Kennedy political machine was really in the corner of Obama, though it was a bit slow in coming.

And somehow, even though he is losing currently, Moonshine Mike Huckabee is going to win Alabama. Seems my prediction is coming true.

Here we go, 9 PM

Mrs Duck's First Super Tuesday Quote

Mrs Duck:"McCain won Delaware"

Sparky: "Yea I am not surprised. They have liked Biden for this long"

MD:"Oh and its also because over here (the east coast) we are not crazy fucking religious freaks"

No 8:00 surprises, Illinois, NJ and the Okies fall in line

For the people that everyone figured they would fall in line for, though while McCain has control on NJ on the red side, it must be so so too close to call on the blue side, since there is silence.

Oh and Romney won Massachusetts. If he lost, it would have truly been the Apocalypse.

But, who gives a crap, I may be freaking out over the traction the Moonshine Mike is getting down south.

*8:15*
Tennessee for Clinton. Again not a shock, Harold Ford could not win a Senate seat there for petes sake

*8:30 update*
Clinton and Huckabee win in Arkansas. All is right with the world

As of 7:53

It was my first What the Fuck moment. With 2% of the precincts counted so far, Mike "Moonshine" Huckabee is leading in Georgia!

Georgia to Obama

And on another note, it turns out today is Tuesday

Huckabee gets some Moonshine

Well, no not moonshine, but I knew it would be one of those catchy headlines.

The first set of results are in, with Mike Huckabee continuing to drive Mitt Romney absolutely fucking apeshit, by winning the West Virginia caucuses 51 to 47 percent. Though Huckabee had to also participate in the first back room dealings, getting the delegates from both McCain and Paul to stand with his people to defeat Romney. That manuever cost him 3 delegates back to the Paul campaign, which will give ol Ronnie a bit more of a foothold come convention time.

Ok, its not the biggest news out there, but it is another log in the Romney/Huckabee firefight.

Monday, February 04, 2008

Super Tuesday Madness

Everyone who knows me knows that I am a geek, at least when it comes to history, sports and politics. History is really the only thing that does not exactly fit into that last sentence, but it was what I was good at in school, helping one to be geeky. But politics and sports seem to go hand and hand. Its all about competition.
Tomorrow, its Primary Super Tuesday, where almost half the country will be voting on the Democratic side and one fifth of the country will be at it on the Republican side. To me, a Primary Super Tuesday is like the Conference Championships in NCAA Basketball. You know, those little tournaments that you can find on your smaller cable stations at like 11 at night. Its not the major conference games where you are fighting over whether the 7th or 8th team from the Big East gets to the Big Dance, its the small game, where only one team is going to get to go. So its more of a basketball game for the purist. And primaries are more of a political fare for the purists of each party. Which is of course why I love it.
So, here are my hopes, as it seems things are getting all topsy turvy on the Democratic side and not totally settled on the Republican side either.
Obama and Clinton end up at just about the same spot that they began at, a virtual tie, just with alot more delegates on each side of the ledger. An upset here or there would be nice, like an Obama win in NJ, or a Clinton win in Arizona, but as long as the two of them have to keep honing there message to prepare for the "big dance" that would make me plenty happy. Plus it will give me more time to decide for myself which of the 2 I like.
For the Elephants, I am hoping that Huckabee steals a state or two, meaning that the outcome still will not be decided once all the votes are counted tomorrow. I will admit McCain as the nominee scares me as a Democrat, because he could conceivably win. But, I am also about the torture and the torment, the soap opera so to speak, and Huckabee winning just enough to keep things for the Republicans a 3 person race would be plenty of torment to go around.
Oh and it would be cool if Ron Paul could finish second in a state or two, just because he makes the Republican debates so much more interesting.

Plus live blogging Super Tuesday will be much more exciting if it was unpredictable.

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Super Bowl-Holy Crap

As I saw Eli Manning loft the ball up in the air from the 30 yard line, I knew the pass was going to Plaxico Burress. How did the New England defense not know the same thing? To say I am shocked is an understatement. And it has taken my Poetry Train post right out the window.



Well, one last football cheerleader pic

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Super Bowl Prediction

C'Mon, NFL, sue me. Bring it on. Yes I said Super Bowl.

The score will be 34 to 21.

The winner....





I am sure all my Jersey Boys would kill me right now, but thats how I feel