BlueGrassRoots

Admin: Welcome Back, Carter

Well, it has been a long time since I wrote a post for BlueGrassRoots and, before I get to the subject at hand, let me give a little online love to Joe Sonka (aka Media Czech) for doing such a great job with this site for over a year.  He has taken to this blogging like a road contractor to a sitting Governor's secret legal defense fund (more on that in a moment).  He has an intuitive sense of what constitutes good, powerful writing and of the responsibilities attendant to being a blogger.  Joe has written some excellent, insightful, and challenging pieces in my absence and I'm confident we'll see more of the same from him in the future.  I just hope I can be a worthy co-blogger....  Now to business:

Even though I'm currently in Bangkok, I received an email today from the KDP challengining us to devise our own slogan regarding the Governor's secret legal defense fund for the KDP billboard on I-64.  Let me first say that I love this idea.  It is a perfect way to inform and engage the grassroots of the party during this sweltering August when the Governor's race is about to heat up itself.  When Jonathan Miller became party chair and brought Jeremy Horton into HQ, I expected to see this sort of creative outreach.

Now, the slogan currently up is:
ERNIE:
WHO GAVE TO YOUR
LEGAL DEFENSE FUND?
But, they think we can do better, and I tend to agree.  So let's hear it BlueGrassRooters--what's your best slogan calling out Gov. Fletcher for not releasing a list of people who have contributed to his legal defense fund?  40 characters max.

Me, I like either:
Ernie: Private Fund, Public Failure

or

Too Many Secrets (which I like because not only does it allude to a key point in my favorite movie of all time, Sneakers, but it also references not only the current secrecy behind the contributors to the legal defense fund, but also his cohorts' proclivity to take the 5th when questioned under oath).

What are you're ideas?  Make sure you leave them in the comment box and in the KDP's inbox.

Ahh, it's good to be back.

Latest and Greatest

Windows Vista sucks.  I mean Really Sucks.  Dell buyers aren't demanding XP because of some nostalgia, they're demanding XP because Windows.Vista.Sucks.  I'm not saying this because of something I read on the internets, or because I overheard some dude at the bar saying it.  I just upgraded to a new Dell Inspiron workhorse, tons of bells and whistles - and lots of speed, and I'm saying Windows.Vista.Sucks because the last week has been a living hell.

I hate to bore people with this stuff, but for some jackass at Microsoft to suggest that Vista is the "latest and greatest" after the week I've had with it just pisses me off.  Vista Sucks.  And its not just that nothing is compatible with it it isn't compatible with other programs, Vista isn't compatible with itself.  Crap just quits working and requires a reboot, much as the old Windows 95 and 98 did.  I haven't even been able to install all my software and make the new laptop my one stop shop because I'm still trying to sort out features of the Vista OS.  Trying to fit blogging in has been impossible - I have literally spent days working on OS updates and patches for Vista specific programs from Microsoft.

I thought Windows ME was Bill Gates' crowning achievment of craptacularness, but Vista is in a league of its own.  Its the New Coke of operating systems.  And it sucks just as bad.

Blogging Vacation

I'm heading out of town for summer fun so there will be no blogging for a week or so.  Hopefully some of our periodic commenters will grace us with blogging material, but if not feel free to peruse the fine blogs listed on the right side of your computer screen.

Admin: Stepping Out, Stepping Down

Well, folks, I guess saying that I won't be around here any more is a little like the Bush Administration saying they're abandoning their environmental policy--it's hard to quit what you're not doing.  But, for propriety's sake, I would like to state for the record that I will no longer be posting at or maintaining BlueGrassRoots.  I've handed the keys over to Pete and he can take it from here. 

Before I go, though, I'd like to say that starting BlueGrassRoots was one of the most fun things I've ever done.  I believed that blogging had the potential to change the political landscape and blogs such as Bluegrass Report have proven that belief correct.  It was a whole lot of fun being part of the beginnings of that change.  Boy, it all started so innocently--sitting on the couch during Spring Break of my first year in law school--and blossomed into something much bigger.  Who knew that day that the blog would lead to a radio show and podcasting?  Not me, but I'm grateful for all that I've learned in the past two and a half years.

Some might be interested to know why I'm giving up blogging.  After the bar exam, I will be clerking for a year within the state judiciary.  I want to avoid any appearance of impropriety or political involvement, so I am removing myself from the political sphere.  That means BlueGrassRoots, too.

On my way out the door, though, I cleaned out all of the comment spam and tightened the commenting process (registration now required) to try to prevent an invasion of the spam-bots.   I know this will disappoint all of you interested in cheap viagra, horse porn, and french pharmaceuticals.

Also, I added all of the most recent interviews from The BlueGrassRoots Radio Review into the "Radio Archives."  I loved doing those interviews, and when I look at the list, I feel pretty proud of them, as well.  In forty recorded interviews, we talked with activists (Bike Lexington, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (Felon's Rights), Homeless Soccer, Jeff Key, Jeremy Horton, ShareTheRoadKY.com, and UK Greenthumb), party officials (David O'Neill), bloggers (Adrants, Mark Nickolas, Feministing, Skippy, and Liquid List), politicians/office-seekers (Andrea James, Chris Frost, Crit Luallen, Ernesto Scorsone, Gatewood, Jim Gray, Jim Newberry, Kathy Stein, Steve Kay, and Tom Blues), musicians/artists (Bill Santen, Chris Campbell, Glenn Kotche (Wilco!), and the Lexicon Project boys), judges, (Janet Stumbo, Mary Noble, and Jim Keller), and ministers (Clint Baldwin, Nathan Wilson, and Albert Pennybacker).  I enjoyed every one of those interviews, learned a lot from them, and would like to take this opportunity to thank each of them one more time for indulging this political neophyte with their time.

Well, I reckon it's time to wrap things up here.  But, I'll close with this:

Blogging is important work.  It has the potential to engage, organize, and inspire ordinary citizens.  It can give each of us a voice and the ability to influence the larger political dialogue.  In the blogosphere, candidates and voters can focus on issues instead of 30-second feel-good spots during primetime TV. 

If you've ever thought about starting a blog, I say, "Go for it!"  Blogger and Typepad are virtually foolproof.  And, if you do start one up, leave us a  note in a comment box and we'll add you to the ever-expanding "Kentuckiblog" blogroll.

Love you lots,
Ben

Admin: Past Shows, Future Shows

It's been a long time since I did anything administrative here at BGR, but, in the spirit of the grand theory that anything self-serving ultimately benefits the greater community, I have updated the radio archives to your left. 

You will find delicious interviews with artists (Chris Cambpell, Bill Santen, Lexicon Project, Wilco's Glenn Kotche), activists (Jeff Key, SharetheRoadKY.com, Jeremy Horton, Gatewood, Homeless Soccer), politicians (Crit Luallen, Kathy Stein), candidates (Steve Kay, Chris Frost, Jim Newberry), a judge (Janet Stumbo), bloggers (Mark Nicholas (thrice!), The Liquid List, Adrants, Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, Feministing), and ministers (Clint Baldwin, Nathan Wilson). 

They're my babies, so of course I love them all equally, but if you have your own favorite, let us know!

Just to give you an idea of what's coming up on The BlueGrassRoots Radio Review, here's a taste of our future guests.  Fayette County Circuit Judge Mary Noble, who is running for the Kentucky Supreme Court will be in next week, as will lawyer Scott White, who is running for county council here in Fayette County.  Gatewood, both activist and politician, and Jim Gray, running for at-large county council will join us on March 9th.  Future guests will also include Rev. Albert Pennybacker of the Clergy Leadership Network, and Jim Keller, running for State Senate after a long time on the Kentucky Supreme Court.

Hurricane Pornography

I have no doubt that on some level hurricane coverage constitutes "legitimate" news, but the wall to wall coverage of some doofus in a rain slicker leaning into the wind and repeating "the winds are really gusting out here" as the spare camera man holds their legs so as to anchor them from being blown away (a true sighting on the "Today Show") is mundane and repetitive.  Treating it like it's a race riot minimizes the real human and economic toll these things take.  And they repeatedly fail to have any meaningful reporting on why a record number of strong storms in one hurricane season should be of concern to us - and why these things are happening in the first place and what we are doing to facilitate them.

2004 was a near record year, and 2005 has become the record when Wilma tied it, and with Alpha now being upgraded from a tropical depression.  I understand that listening to a bunch of environmental "kooks" and a group of silly "scientists" makes some people's skin crawl, but with insurance companies losing billions of dollars annually, along with the billions in tax dollars used to rebuild cities, it's about time we had an honest discussion about global warming.

Bi-Partisan Recommendation

I just got back from a nice little weekend getaway with Mrs. Pete and little Pete, Jr., and thought I'd pass along some good info for those looking to get out of town for a brief reprieve from work, politics, and annoying friends.  We stayed in Cincinnati, but I'd recommend staying south in Newport - you can spend an entire weekend there and hop across the river if the urge to enter the city hits.

Newport on the Levee is amazing - I haven't been to that area in about 6 years (when I used to stomp around in Northern KY when Mrs. Pete was in school up there and before all our friends moved to parts unknown) and Louisville can learn a thing or two from this little river town.  The Newport Aquarium was a hit with Pete Jr. (as well as his parents), and we spent the entire day on the Levee, eating at an Irish Pub (complete with outdoor seating overlooking the river), hanging out at the various shops, and finishing our night at the Hofbrauhuas just across the street.  While the Hofbrauhaus is smaller than its Munich counterpart (the original), the Newport version is English speaking so the non-German speaking folks may enjoy it better (although the community style tables of the Munich Hofbrauhaus invites you to mingle with Germans and can be quite fun - especially after a couple liters of beer).

It's a fairly inexpensive weekend getaway and highly recommended.

Bipartisan Marinade

Commenters from the right have been most unkind as of late, and have taken exception to my "bitterness."  In an effort to reach across the aisle, I'm taking a break from politics to ask a very serious question.  In light of the long holiday, and the opportunity it presents for working the grill overtime (it's non-union, so no OT need be paid), I want to know what your favorite marinade is.  I'm talking for anything - ribs, chicken, steaks, burgers, or even vegetables.  What are you cooking this weekend?

Here's my steak marinade for those that care:  worcestershire (lots), minced garlic, and red pepper (dried, like what you sprinkle on a pizza).  I sear (is that the right spelling?) each side after squeezing the juice from half an orange on it, then let it cook to a medium rare on the middle rack on the grill.  What makes it especially tasty is the Woodford Reserve or Rock Hill Farms on the rocks while I cook.

Extra points if you name your marinade.  If no one responds then I'll just stick with the same ol' mix, and sleep poorly knowing that no one has any interest in finding common ground.

Gas Is Crack

In all the articles I've read about gas hitting $3/gallon and going as high as $4.99/gallon, and tales of gas stations in South Carolina and North Carolina running out of gas, not once has anyone mentioned that maybe the way to save money is to not drive if you don't have to.  Let's get real folks...oil companies are posting $7 billion in net profits, each, per quarter.  Gas prices didn't go up just because Katrina hit the South.  Gas prices went up because Katrina hit the South and once you start making $7 billion on the bottom line that's just too darn hard to let go of.

Razorback Blogging

Sounds like some interesting stuff going down in KY based on "Hunter Bates" (I'm assuming a pen name) and "cbr" commenting in the last post.  I'm in good ol' Are-can-zuss, dead smack in the middle of Razorback country (actually about 5 miles from campus, but it's all Razorbacks, all the time).  This is one of the fastest growing communities in the country, boasting 1000 new people a month (or is it more?  I can't remember), but amenities aren't keeping up.  For example, in Louisville, if I need quick internet service I can pretty much pull off anywhere into a Starbucks or Panera Bread.

If there's a Starbucks here I'm missing it, and I finally found the Panera Bread.  Barnes & Noble apparently has wi-fi, but it's not free!  Of course they don't tell you that until you hit their network, and SBC (the local phone co.) wants $20/month to set up an account!  Capitalism at its finest, and suffice it to say B&N won't be getting my love.

Anyway, I have a question - no real answer or hidden agenda in asking it, but it does make me curious.  (Follow the handy link...)

Admin: Political Blog of the Day

A quick thank you to AboutPolitics.com for choosing BlueGrassRoots as its "Political Blog of the Day" on Friday.

Admin: Dr. Thomas Clark, Great Historian, Greater Kentuckian

BlueGrassRoots would like to join the chorus of citizens recognizing the profound loss of Dr. Thomas Clark, Kentucky's historian laureate. 

From the Herald-Leader:

He was a perennial optimist, but would tell anyone who listened that Kentucky needed to improve its schools, overhaul its creaky constitution, preserve its history and become a better steward of its natural resources.

Perhaps Dr. Clark is engaged in a great discussion with Thucydides at this very moment....

Admin: Conservative Trolls

Ohmygod.  I knew we had a rigorous bipartisan discussion in the comments section at BlueGrassRoots, but this Google search is truly remarkable.  Thus, I am remarking on it. 

Admin: Expanding Like Bush's Budget Deficit

BlueGrassRoots has always been a team effort.  Now, the team is getting bigger and way better. 

I'm giddy like an energy executive in a backroom meeting with Dick Cheney to announce that Pete, who writes intelligent, eloquent, and well-reasoned posts at Kentucky Blog, will also be writing for BlueGrassRoots.  You can check out Kentucky Blog and stay tuned for Pete's arrival on the pages of BlueGrassRoots. 

We're psyched.  You should be, too.

Admin: Support BlueGrassRooters

We have a new BlogAd on BlueGrassRoots.  It's about the movie "Heart of the Beholder."  Please support our advertisers by clicking on the ad and finding out more about it. 

If you are interested in advertising with BlueGrassRoots, you can create your ad here.

Admin: Back in the Saddle

Well, it was a long, hard grind.  But, I've got my finals done, girlfriend graduated, and garage cleaned, so I'm ready to go.  Let's catch you up to speed. 

First of all, the BlueGrassRoots Radio Review scored a sweet summer time slot at WRFL.  We'll be airing each Friday night from six until eight.  As always, if you miss us live, you can listen to the archived interviews on this site.  We're just that good.

Second of all, there are a few new Kentucky sites to check out.  State Treasurer Jonathan Miller has a blog now--Compassionate e-Community.  There's also Not-a-Pundit, which is fantastic.  Also, don't forget Sweet Liberty News. 

Thirdly, are you going to the Change for Kentucky State Summit?  You should absolutely do your best to get there--it will be (blue)grassroots politics at its best.  Plus, I will be giving a short presentation on blogging: what it is, how to do it, insider tips, publicizing, etc.  Should be good times. 

Finally, I'd just like to say that in the past three days four people have come up to me out of the blue(grassroots) and told me how much they liked and appreciated this site.  Thank you.  Writing generally is a solitary activity and I'm not a solitary person, so it means a lot to me that people are out there reading what I write.  Thank you to all of our readers--loyal, sporadic, and antithetic.

UPDATE: I forgot to tell you all: Jim Newberry's bid for Lexington mayor is now online.

Admin: Open Thread ('Cause It's Just Gotta Be Like This)

Okay, after spending the evening trying to write my Election Law paper and study for finals and instead dithering away on the computer, it has become all-too-apparent to that I need to put down the mouse and pick up the pen. 

As such, here is an open thread for you all.  I won't be back until next Friday.  Until then, you'll have to entertain yourselves (unless Garrett wants to post some stuff...) in the open thread. 

I can only imagine two circumstances under which I might post something:
1) Rehnquist retires and Bush immediately nominates Ashcroft to the bench or
2) Ernie Fletcher appoints ANOTHER legislator's spouse to a six-figure judgeship.

So, peruse our links, participate in the caption contest, and I'll see you all on the flip-side of what should be a hellacious eleven days.

It's times like these I like to keep some sage advice given to me by Gatewood Galbraith in the forefront of my mind: "Don't let the bastards get you down."

Admin: If It's Journalism, It's On the Opinion Page

If you're discovering BlueGrassRoots today through the Herald-Leader article...Welcome!

At BlueGrassRoots, you'll learn what the Left is doing right and the Right is doing wrong (so wrong).  Check out our radio interviews with Kentucky politicians and activists, explore the links to great blogs and organizations, dig through the archives, leave a comment, and feel free to email us with thoughts, suggestions, or questions.

Admin: Passing the Hat, but Not the Buck

Listen, I know you think we're only kidding about supporting BlueGrassRoots financially, but we're not.   

If NPR is listener-supported radio, then BlueGrassRoots is reader-supported blogging.  Not to mention you get BenPR coming at you each week over the radio waves and on the internet. 

It costs WUKY $140 an hour to broadcast their programs.  It costs BlueGrassRoots about $63 a month to bring you news and commentary from across the state and nation.  That's right, $63 bucks.

So, how much is BlueGrassRoots worth to you?  Do you check it first thing when you get to your boring-ass job?  Do you enjoy the alternative news and views we bring to you each day?  Do you love the lively debates (and the ability to participate in them) you find in the comment box?  Do you like being able to listen to thoughtful interviews on the BlueGrassRoots Radio Review? 

For $63 you can buy a whole month of BGR.  For 13 bucks, you can pay our Typepad bill.  $10 pays for hosting our radio archives.  20 bucks pays a little less than half of our internet bill, and $20 goes toward buying the hardware, software, and accessories (microphones, headsets, adapters, blank cds) it takes to produce the BlueGrassRoots Radio Review and the website. 

Please, help us to shoulder some of these costs.  If you think someone else will pitch in, your wrong.  You know communism doesn't work, so stop thinking that the community will come through on this.  It won't.  It's up to you, the American Individual, to do what's right. 

Give what you can and we'll love you forever.  Or at least until the next pledge drive.

There are a number of other ways to support BlueGrassRoots.  You can advertise with us.  You can buy some of our merchandise.  (Our bumper stickers make GREAT presents.) 

But, really, giving us the green is the best.   Like Bartles & James, we thank you for your support.

Tell us what you like and what you'd like to see in the future from BlueGrassRoots in the comment box below.  After you've supported the site, of course.

Admin: Poop, Meet Fan

Well, faithful visitors, it's that time of year again. 

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you.  Yet, I cannot come out to play.  With just two and a half weeks before the start of law school finals, it is time for me to sit down and get serious, real serious, about learning the material I have so successfully neglected this semester.  Evidence.  Administrative Law.  Criminal Trial Process.  Environmental Law.  Election Law.  These will be my bread, my butter.  My guide by day and pillow by night.

As such, we will be having some open threads here for the next few weeks.  The last thread was a fantastic success, I thought, with much speculation about the next gubernatorial and above-the-belt banter from all sides. 

Please peruse our links, especially all of the fantastic Kentucky blogs out there. 

As for the open thread, it's wide open.  Azubuike's departure, Bush's low approval ratings, good music you're listening to, clever posts on your blog.  Whatever.  Here's a caption contest photo for your enjoyment. 

Oh, and if any of you have great outlines for any of the aforementioned law classes, feel free to email them to me.

Admin: Open Thread

Generally we don't have open threads here at BlueGrassRoots, but I thought we'd give it a go today.  I haven't had any sleep and don't know any news.  What's going on, folks?  What's on  your blog?  Thoughts on NCAA basketball, the Wildcats, the final game.  I heard a rumor that Azubuike has signed with an agent.  Has anyone else heard that?  Kentucky politics.  Gossip anyone?  Say something silly, insightful, inciting.  It's your open thread.

Congratulations to Stephen for winning the BlueGrassRoots Bracket Contest!  Thanks to everyone who participated!

Admin: By Our Powers Combined...

No, we are not Captain Planet.  Rather, we're a growing group of Kentucky Democrats with rockin' good blogs.  Here's our membership list: 

BlueGrassRoots
Last Sane Man
Kentucky Democrat
Sparkgrass Community
Art Pottery, Politics, and Food
Fire Ron Lewis
Fire Anne Northup
Donut Age
Kentucky Blog

More to come about Kentucky Bloggers for Tomorrow Today as the coalition develops...

Admin: Feliz Cumpleanos, BlueGrassRoots!

A year ago today, at the start of Spring Break, BlueGrassRoots was born with this post. 

We've come a long way, baby.  We know a little html, we know not to feed the trolls, we know some other bloggers, and we know a little about how search engines work. 

We've gone from a little blog in Kentucky to a little blog in Kentucky with a radio show and a NCAA bracket contest!

I would like to thank a few people on this, our 365th day of publication.  First, my wicked-smart and hot girlfriend, Erin, who, despite her intelligence, tolerates my incessant Sitemeter checking, my updates on recent Google searches, and my inane blog anecdotes.  Second, Oliver at The Liquid List.  He first encouraged me to drink the Kool-aid and then ran and got a Kool-aid bong for me.  Third, I'm sending a big shout-out to the members of the BGR Team and our guest bloggers.  Thank you, guys.  Fourth, I'm gonna thank Mikey P and the folks at WRFL for trusting me with their good name and equipment. 

Finally, I'd like to thank you, the reader.  Whether you're Lucy Left or Mike Right, a college friend, a random visitor, fellow blogger, a law student, or a daily commenter, thank you for reading this blog.  We are honored that you spend your time reading and writing on this site. 

BlueGrassRoots was originally conceived as a way to build an online activist community here in central Kentucky.  That goal has fallen off as we've sunken into the daily routine of producing a blog and radio show.  It's not too late, however.  It's never too late.  On this, our paper anniversary, I am rededicating myself to that goal.  But I need your help.  Pass the word along to your friends and family.  Send us updates about what your local groups are working on.  Write a guest post about an issue facing Lexington or Kentucky.  Please contact us with suggestions for making this forum more useful to you.

Again, thanks so much for spending your time with BlueGrassRoots.  It's our pleasure.

(Though it is our pleasure, we do not discourage birthday gifts!)

Admin: BlueGrassRoots: Worth At Least The Paper It's Written On

On this, the final day of WUKY's pledge drive, we thought it appropriate to hit our readers up for some "support." 

If NPR is listener-supported radio, then BlueGrassRoots is reader-supported blogging.  Not to mention you get BenPR coming at you each week over the radio waves and on the internet. 

It costs WUKY $140 an hour to broadcast their programs.  It costs BlueGrassRoots about $63 a month to bring you news and commentary from across the state and nation.  That's right, $63 bucks.

So, how much is BlueGrassRoots worth to you?  Do you check it first thing when you get to your boring-ass job?  Do you enjoy the alternative news and views we bring to you each day?  Do you love the lively debates (and the ability to participate in them) you find in the comment box?  Do you like being able to listen to thoughtful interviews on the BlueGrassRoots Radio Review? 

For $63 you can buy a whole month of BGR.  For 13 bucks, you can pay our Typepad bill.  $10 pays for hosting our radio archives.  20 bucks pays a little less than half of our internet bill, and $20 goes toward buying the hardware, software, and accessories (microphones, headsets, adapters, blank cds) it takes to produce the BlueGrassRoots Radio Review and the website. 

Please, help us to shoulder some of these costs.  If you think someone else will pitch in, your wrong.  You know communism doesn't work, so stop thinking that the community will come through on this.  It won't.  It's up to you, the American Individual, to do what's right. 

Give what you can and we'll love you forever.  Or at least until the next pledge drive.

There are a number of other ways to support BlueGrassRoots.  You can advertise with us.  You can buy some of our merchandise.  (Our bumper stickers make GREAT presents from the Easter Bunny.) 

But, really, giving us the green is the best.   Like Bartles & James, we thank you for your support.

Tell us what you like and what you'd like to see in the future from BlueGrassRoots in the comment box below.  After you've supported the site, of course.

Admin: BlueGrassRoots' Cyborg Redesigned; Now Calibrated to Rock You Even Harder

As you may have noticed, the BlueGrassRoots Team has expanded to include the wily Will Carle.  Will spends his time late at night roving across the wide-open spaces of the Blog Prarie on the back of his trusty steed, Rufus.  With Will as your guide, you will discover whole new landscapes in your previously limited perspective of the blog world. 

Welcome, Will!

Admin: See, I'm a Capitalist, not the Cliched Pinko Commie You Fear! So Relax and Buy Something.

You know that feeling when you're playing Sim City 3000 and Kentuckolina gets its first Dense Residential property with a land value of astronomical?  No?  Too cool for Sim City?  Well, it's similar to that feeling of running a blog for a year and having someone finally decide to advertise on it. 

Click on the blog ad in the right-hand column and please support our sponsors.

Admin: Podcasting?

This is a test.  The BlueGrassRoots Team stands at the edge of Lake Podcasting and hesitantly dips its big toe in the water.  If you podcast, click here to listen to Bill Santen playing songs and talking on the BlueGrassRoots Radio Review.  Maybe.  If it works.

 

Admin: Move Over, "W: The President"

We've decided to take the chimps in the basement of BlueGrassRoots HQ away from the typewriters (Hamlet can wait) and have set them to revamping the BlueGrassRoots merchandise.  They've cranked out their first product, complete with updated URL, and we think you'll be pleased with the result.

This bumper sticker can go on your car, your notebooks, even your neighbor's Hummer! 

Look for other merch updates in the next few weeks.  If you have any ideas for t-shirts, you just let me know in the comment box below.

Admin: A Note About Commenting, Inspired by Thoreau's "Economy" Chapter in Walden

I would encourage people to spend less time trying to persuade the unpersuadable and more time with their dogs, their significant others, their law/med. school classes, getting involved in local groups (see right column), hosting radio shows, etc.  I say this knowing that fewer comments means less traffic, and, as Erin will tell you, I’m all about the traffic.

However, many of the folks that frequent the comment area here will never see the compassion, concern for justice, and sanity that inform our arguments and ideals and the time you spend trying to help them see the light is time you will never get back.  It is also time you could spend reaching out to those people who are interested in or desperately need our vision of a better world.  (You know, one in which our government doesn't encourage obesity and childhood-onset diabetes.)

I admire many of the commenters' commitment to taking time to clearly and honestly explain their positions.  I tired of the futile debates in the comment section here months ago.  If you enjoy outlining your argument, then please, continue to post.  But, if you hope that people on the "other side" will finally see it your way, well... that's just not going to happen. 

So, when you're considering whether or not to respond to a comment you see at BlueGrassRoots, ask yourself, "Is this the best way to advance my goals?"  Most likely, the answer is no.  Most often, the comment doesn't merit a response and by trying to respond, you just legitimate a position that doesn't deserve legitimation. 

Let the comment stand unanswered and undisturbed so that anthropologists one day can study the Right-winglish on this and similar websites as paleontologists examine the bones of bygone ages.

We have better things to do.

Admin : Money...It's a Gas

Dear Loyal Readers of BlueGrassRoots,

We have lowered the minimum contribution you can make to BlueGrassRoots to a dollar.  One dollar. 

If just one tenth of our readers tithed with a dollar, we'd be doing alright.  Just 1/10. 

I know what you're thinking, "We'll if it just takes 1 person out of 10 to do the right thing, I'm sure someone else will carry my weight."  While your faith in the goodness and generosity of humankind is noble, we're here to tell you that ain't the way things work, sista. 

No, chances are, 5/10 of our readers are Republicans (and we know the likelihood of them shelling out to BGR...), 3/10 came here randomly from some search about "feliz ano nuevo," "ayn rand jerk," or "bluegrass apparel," and 1/10 is some penniless college student.

That leaves you.  Do the right thing.

The way to become a BlueGrassRooter is by clicking on the green box in the right sidebar.  You can give as little as a dollar or as much as BlueGrassRoots (the blog and the radio show) is worth to you.  It's easy, fast, secure, and we'll love you long time.

As always, thanks for your support.

Admin: Feliz Ano Nuevo!

Two of the BlueGrassRoots Team, Erin and myself, will be checking out for ten days as we voyage down to Costa Rica with my family for the New Year.  Scuba diving, surfing, hiking in the cloud forest, golfing with the dad, and resolving not to revel in my good fortune publicly anymore. 

To keep you busy, you can discuss either a) your predictions for next year or b) your own resolutions.  Personally, I'm resolving that politics will play a diminished role in my social relations next year.  That's right, no more hanging out solely with Democrats.  After all, we've got to win votes from somewhere.  Might as well start with my Republican friends...

Admin: Don We Now Our Straight Apparel

Happy Holidays from the BlueGrassRoots Team to you and yours.  By the way, it's probably time to change your fire alarm batteries.

Admin: Welcome to the New BGR!

Welcome to the new BlueGrassRoots! 

The new service we're using (Typepad), is going to be better on both sides of the blogging process (producing and consumption).  We're still transferring links and the like from the old BGR and building a newer, sleeker BGR, so if you have any links you particularly love (not Little Green Footballs), now's your chance to recommend them to us.

By the way, we culled all the defunct websites out of the blogrolls for greater blog-surfing efficiency.  You can thank us later.

Admin/Politics: Christmas, Commerce, and Cowardice

Hold onto your cats, folks, this is a long one... I'm back, BABY!

Four exams down, none to go. After doing virtually nothing in law school until around November 8th, I had some serious work to do. So, I did what any reasonable person would do--play with their cats. But, after getting bumped and bruised through two weeks of finals worth 100% of my grade, I have survived with minimal blood loss and no permanent scars. Now, it's a week to Christmas and ten days 'til mi familia y mi amiga head for Costa Rica.

Speaking of Christmas, I know you'll all be happy to hear that we finally have some good looking BlueGrassRoots bumper stickers at our online store. They make GREAT stocking stuffers. They also look good on any car. While you're at the store getting bumper stickers for every good progressive you know, check out our other wares. Really, any of these items make great last-minute gifts. Now, we've gotten reports from some of you who think the stuff is to expensive. We agree. That's why we marked down EVERYTHING for the Christmas season.

Speaking of Christmas, have you given a gift to your favorite bloggers (no, not Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, us!) yet? Providing you with wit and political insight doesn't come cheap and giving us some money is the best way to keep our morale (and morals) high. Really, going into the new year, we're going to expand some things on the blog (bigger online store will cost $) and move into new mediums. We could use some dough.

Speaking of the bigger online store (Do you see how this is all just flowing so well? It's art, and deserves appreciation.), soon we hope to be able to help your merchandising dreams become a reality. Do you want a tee-shirt that has a picture of Ernie Fletcher that says, "Gov-Ern-Or"? So do we! Did you think of a great bumper sticker idea the other day? So did we! ("Jesus Would Vote Democrat" or "Jesus Would Vote Democrat, You Hypocrite" or "Jesus Was a Liberal"). With our expanded store, we can create more diverse products and can make products based solely on the good ideas of our readers. (That being said, please put any good bumper sticker or t-shirt ideas you've been sitting on in the comment box below.) What I really want is a spoof of the black and white (how appropriate...) "W: The President" bumper sticker. Something like "W: Black and White" or "W: AWOL" or "W: The Reactionary" or "W: The Second Coming." Again, your ideas in the comment box.

Now, on to some political happenings. So, Mitch "Money is Speech" McConnell had to reveal who was giving to his foundation at U of L and SURPRISE! it's a lot of his big political donors! Giving however much they want. But, the gifts were not to curry favor. Remember that. It simply reflects their corporate commitment to giving back to the community. Call me cynical, but somehow this seems unlikely given the context.

Next, anti-water council members of LFUCG failed to attend a meeting last night to let the citizens vote up or down on whether they want to proceed with the condemnation of the water company. You know, occassionally democracy can be served by citizens sneaking around, avoiding detection, and exercising subversive tactics, but those citizens are usually dressed up like Native Americans and heading toward the Boston Harbor. I agree with Councilwoman Linda Gorton:

"Meetings are set for a purpose and council members who respect the process come to the meeting whether they agree or not," Councilwoman Linda Gorton said. "It's disrespectful. It's the coward's way out."

Yeah, if Chuck Ellinger, Fred Brown, Mike Scanlon, George Brown, or Bill Farmer, Jr. got together to make a movie, it'd be "Coward the Duck." Instead of moving for-ward, we're moving co-ward. What direction is co-ward? I'll give you a hint....Handbaskets travel co-wardly. Incidentally, if you want to write these councilmen an email congratulating these men on the coward-ice in their freezer, here they are:

At-Large: Mike Scanlon (vice mayor) mscanlon@lfucg.com

At-Large: Chuck Ellinger cellinge@lfucg.com

1st District: George Brown, Jr. georgeb@lfucg.com

5th District: Bill Farmer, Jr. billf@lfucg.com

8th District: Fred Brown fredb@lfucg.com

Well, I guess I'll leave it at that. Remember, put your bumper sticker ideas in the comment box below.