No presidential election would be complete without a contribution from JibJab to make light of it. Here’s their latest…

Got this updated oldie from Michael…

One sunny day in 2008, an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue, where he’d been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the Marine standing guard and said, “I would like to go in and meet with President Obama.”

The Marine replied, “Sir, Senator Obama is not the President and doesn’t reside here.”

The old man said, “Okay,” and walked away.

The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, “I would like to go in and meet with President Obama.”

The Marine again told the man, “Sir, as I said yesterday, Senator Obama is not the President and doesn’t reside here.”

The man thanked him and again walked away.

The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same Marine, saying “I would like to go in and meet with President Obama.”

The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, “Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to President Obama. I’ve told you several times that Senator Obama is not the President and doesn’t reside here. Don’t you understand?”

The old man replied, “Oh, I understand you fine! I just love hearing you say it!”

Simple, concise and strategic. But not so in the U.S. where our politicians endlessly debate alternative fuel sources and vie for their favorites (read “special interests”) to get all the federal funding.

Oil companies want oil to remain “the” transportation fuel source unless they get distribution control of the alternatives; farmers want ethanol to play a big part even though, at best, it can only supplement oil; solar panel makers aren’t sure exactly how they might power autos but they want in on the apparent “green energy” boom; battery manufacturers have been challenged to make cells that provide greater driving range and cost efficiency than are available today; and some, including Bush, want to tap the bazillion gallons of oil under our own feet, although Democrats seem bent on preventing that from ever happening.

All have a place in the solution although none alone are the holy grail of transportation fuel. Problem is, we can’t move forward with any of them until the political squabbling ends and that doesn’t appear anywhere on the horizon. Meanwhile, we’re getting skewered by our dependence on foreign oil. And while some believe we can just “wait until prices come back down” (like that will ever happen!), our politicians continue whoring around with special interests while Rome burns.

From Frank…

The incandescent light bulb is a quintessential American invention, discovered by Thomas Edison more than 125 years ago, but its future seems to be fading to black amid an ever-greening society. As Americans become more environmentally conscious, consumers are being pushed to buy more earth friendly products including compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, the latest help-the-planet issue du jour among concerned citizens.

At the federal level, President Bush signed an energy bill in December that, among other changes, will require all light bulbs sold in the United States by 2014 to be at least 70 percent more efficient than today. For those of you that haven’t already connected the dots, the mandate means that, without major improvements, incandescent bulbs will disappear from store shelves by 2014.

After Congress delivered its comprehensive energy bill to the White House in a Toyota Prius hybrid car, U.S. Rep. Jane Harman, a California Democrat, waxed poetic about light bulbs, noting that little had changed since Edison and his glass tube and filament. “When it comes to illumination,” Harman said, “we still live in a cave.”

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An oldie from Eleonore that deserves another run…

Judy Wallman, a professional genealogical researcher, discovered that Hillary Clinton’s great-great uncle, Remus Rodham, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana. The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows. On the back of the picture is this inscription:

“Remus Rodham, horse thief, sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1883, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times, caught by Pinkerton Detectives, convicted and hanged, 1889.”

Judy e-mailed Hillary Clinton for comments. Hillary’s staff sent back the following biographical sketch:

“Remus Rodham was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory. His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to service at a government facility, finally taking leave in 1887 to resume his dealings with the railroad. He was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform on which he was standing collapsed.”

And that, folks, is how it’s done.

Another ‘toon from James…

The political landscape is changing now that the interminable Obama-Clinton pissing contest (“I’m for change…” “No, I”M for change…”) has finally ended with Obama demonstrating only slightly greater distance. Expect a different kind of tourney between McCain and Obama between now and November which will include its share of clever…

…and satirical…

…videos on YouTube. All I can say is that McCain’s campaign staff better learn to harness the power of viral videos if they want him to appeal to young “MTV Generation” voters.

I read and listened to John McCain’s March 31 speech delivered in Meridian, Mississippi on the first day of his Service To America Tour. I’d wanted to learn something more about the former Naval aviator and Vietnam POW, about his character and core beliefs, how he reasons and what he’s made of. I found the speech a beginning, though I’ll need to delve much deeper if I’m to better understand the man who hopes to be our next Commander-in Chief. From the speech:

“…Like most people, when I reflect on the adventures and joys of youth, I feel a longing for what is lost and cannot be restored. But though the happy pursuits of the young prove ephemeral, something better can endure, and endure until our last moment of life. And that is the honor we earn and the love we give when we work and sacrifice with others for a cause greater than our self-interest. For me that cause has long been our country. I am a lucky, lucky man to have found it, and am forever grateful to those who showed me the way. What they gave me was much more valuable and lasting than the tribute I once paid to vanity.

I am the son and grandson of admirals. My grandfather was an aviator; my father a submariner. They were my first heroes, and their respect for me has been one of the most lasting ambitions of my life. They gave their lives to their country, and taught me lessons about honor, courage, duty, perseverance and leadership that I didn’t fully grasp until later in life, but remembered when I needed them most. I have been an imperfect servant of my country for many years. But I am their son, and they showed me how to love my country, and that has made all the difference for me, my friends, all the difference in the world.”

My first reaction to McCain had been that he was too much a maverick, his positions failing to follow a traditional path along “conservative” or “Republican” lines. But I’m learning that he possesses strong convictions and, unlike most politicians today, is unabashed about sticking to what he believes is best for the country with little or no regard for opinion polls or GOP orthodoxy. Generally, those are qualities I respect. So I’m reserving judgment until I can learn more about what makes the man tick. Perhaps there’s more to John McCain than I first thought.

This is a Patriot’s Journey post. You may also enjoy visiting the other journeyers: Drumwaster, Larry at The Bastage, the folks at The Line Is Here and Shortbus from The Edge of Reason…

From Mike…

A bus full of politicians was cruising down a country road when it suddenly veered off course and crashed into an old farmer’s barn. The farmer got off his tractor and went to investigate.

When he saw what had happened, he towed the bus out of his barn, buried the politicians in the adjoining field, and returned to his tractor to finish plowing.

A few days later, the local sheriff came out, saw the crashed bus and asked the old farmer what had become of the politicians. The old farmer explained what had happened and that he’d buried them.

The sheriff removed his hat and asked in a somber voice, “You mean they was all dead?”

The old farmer shrugged his shoulders and replied, “Well, some of ‘em claimed they wasn’t, but you know how them politicians lie…”

I’m a little surprised to hear msm buzz about the possibility of an Obama-Clinton ticket. I mean, a racist/Marxist paired with a shrill socialist? C’mon, people! Don’t drink the coolaid!

Anyway, someone sent this to me when Obama and Hill were still slamming each other to get the Democratic party’s nod, but I never got around to posting it. Now I’ve forgotten who sent it, but with at least a few sheeple (the ones who would take Hillary any way they can get her) pining for a destructive duo ticket, it seems even more appropriate.

Senator Barack Obama has claimed the Democratic presidential nomination having secured enough delegates and pledged super-delegates to claim victory. Of course, technically, this assumes that the supers all vote as they say they will, and they are free to change their minds. So, no doubt we’ll continue to hear debate on this subject until either the convention or Hillary steps down.

Meanwhile, I’m assuming it’s pretty much a done deal. I’ve said before that I could never vote for Hillary. And I can’t vote for Obama because I see him as a racist, a Marxist and an empty suit. So despite some serious misgivings about McCain, I guess he’s my choice. Here’s my bumper sticker…

I know we sometimes take for granted our right to free and open elections in this country. But stop and think about it. We grumble openly about the candidates but hold their feet to the fire in order to make an informed decision about who will guide our country. It’s an infinitely important process and an invaluable right. I’m grateful that I live in a country where we are all free to help chart our own destiny.

This is a Patriot’s Journey post. Remember to check out the other Patriotic Journeyers: Drumwaster, The Bastage, the folks at The Line Is Here and Shortbus from The Edge of Reason…

Anybody?

Bill Clinton blames “slanted press coverage” for Obama’s delegate lead. Is that possible? I mean, could the Clinton’s really be complaining about their press coverage after so many years of the msm refusing to rain on their parade? Apparently, according to CBS News’ Ryan Corsaro who says the strategy is working in some areas. …Article

Personally, I don’t like the Clintons. But I don’t care much for Obama either, and McCain, well, don’t get me started…

Kelvin sent this photo taken September 17 at a political event in Indianola, Iowa, during [according to the photo caption in Time] the National Anthem. Governor Bill Richardson, Senator Hillary Clinton and Ruth Harkin have their hands on their hearts. But not Obama. Does he perhaps believe that, like wearing the flag lapel pin, the hand on the heart isn’t “true patriotism”?

Covering one’s heart during our National Anthem is a sign of respect for flag and country. Conversely, deliberately not doing so conveys, I believe, an utter lack of respect. I think the message from Obama is abundantly clear.