Dream Theater's actual set list from Orlando

Below is the actual set list from Dream Theater's show at Hard Rock Live in Orlando on July 25, 2009. It was the second date for Progressive Nation 2009. Scale the Summit opened the show, and they were followed by Big Elf. Zappa Plays Zappa was the third act, followed by Dream Theater. The Dream Theater photo was taken by Shawn L. and uploaded to my twitpic account.

Dream Theater-Orlando Show

My Dream Theater Set List

I will be in Florida, and while there I will be checking out Dream Theater. The band typically changes up its set list every night. Here is what I would like to hear:

My Dream Theater set list

At the end of the day, the American people ...

At the end of the day, the American people seem to be falling out of love with President Barack Obama when you look at RasmussenReports.com Presidential Approval Index. Obama's numbers are slipping in Virginia and Ohio. What once appeared to be an invincible Democratic lock might be showing signs of weakness. Still too early to tell, but the trending is interesting.

Along similar lines, Bryan Schaaf and I wrote a story about U.S. Rep. John Boccieri's vote on cap and tax; he was not sold on it before the vote but ended up supporting it (see the story here and high-quality video here). Most of those motivated to comment on the story opposed the vote.

Boccieri remains popular among many I talk to because he spends a lot of time in Wayne County and is accessible.

CNSNEWS.com talks with Boccieri and others

CNSNEWS.com caught up with U.S. Rep. John Boccieri (D-OH) and others recently to ask about how they would vote on the cap and trade legislation, which depending upon whom you believe, will solve global warming (oh, I mean, climate change, consultants have said quit using the phrase "global warming" because of all the negative connotations, wonder why) and create millions of green jobs, or it will cost Americans thousands of dollars a year in higher energy costs and cripple American business.

Boccieri recently sat down with some of the staff from The Daily Record to talk about why he voted for the legislation. The story and video from that interview (which included managing editor Lance White, reporter Bryan Schaaf and me) will appear in an upcoming edition of the newspaper.

However, the video below is from CNSNEWS.com and was taken before the vote. Boccieri is first up.

Declaration of Independence Word Cloud

Here is how our Declaration of Independence appears in a word cloud (thanks to Wordle and @maitri). To see the word cloud on Wordle.net, go here.

Are You Grounded?

I am heading to Florida later in July to see family, friends, have fun and to preach. The sermon is titled "Are You Grounded," and it comes from 1 Chronicles 21. Above is how the sermon looks in a word cloud. (Word cloud courtesy of www.wordle.net)

Listen to new Dream Theater album

Black Clouds & Silver Linings ...

Obama: He'll fill your car with nuts and corn

Thanks to @conservogirl for sharing this one.

Obama: Where did his love go?

Can you hear President Barack Obama singing these lyrics from Diana Ross and the Supremes, "Baby, baby, where did our love go? Oh, don't you want me, don't you want me no more?" Well, he should be given RasmussenReports.com shows Obama in negative territory in the Daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

Obama's approval index is (-2) with 34 percent strongly disapproving of his performance compared to 32 percent strongly approving his efforts so far, leaving 34 percent somewhere in between. Statistically, Obama is not doing poorly. As previously noted here, the numbers are relatively balanced: one-third likes, one-third hates and one-third can go either way.

However, the negative approval rating is remarkable when compared to the favorable treatment the president has received from the media. Consider this from the Pew Research Center earlier this year:

Overall, roughly four out of ten stories, editorials and op ed columns about Obama have been clearly positive in tone, compared with 22% for Bush and 27% for Clinton in the same mix of seven national media outlets during the same first two months in office, according to a study by the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism.

The study found positive stories about Obama have outweighed negative by two-to-one (42% vs. 20%) while 38% of stories have been neutral or mixed.

There now seems to be some chinks in Obama's armor. Despite overall positive reporting from the media, people are able to get another perspective on Obama and his administration from places like Fox News and blogs like Hot Air, not to mention Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck on the radio.

As the shine wears off the new administration and as the honeymoon transitions into the marriage, Obama's numbers will continue to fall. It seems more people are fed up with the bailouts, don't like the fact that Obama and the courts circumvented standard rules for bankruptcy and are leery about the true cost of health care reform and the stimulus plan.

If this continues, look for Republican gains in the House and Senate come 2010.

Stepping out over the lhine

Here is Over the Rhine performing Trouble. I have been listening to them since 1993, but I have never managed to see them live. I am still holding out hope. Until then, there is this video ... and all of their releases.

It's all about the title

Barbara Boxer of California carries the title of senator and allegedly represents the residents of her state in Washington, D.C. But, with this latest video clip from Boxer, I am not so sure just who she represents.

During a congressional hearing, Boxer had an interchange with Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh in which he referred to her as "ma'am."

Boxer did not like being addressed in that manner.

"Do me a favor, could you call me senator instead of ma'am? It's just a thing, I've worked so hard to get that title, I’d appreciate it. Thank you," Boxer said.

I believe her reply speaks volumes about her. Jesus said in Matt. 12:34b, "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."

In my role as a journalist, I come into contact with a lot of elected officials. I have talked to U.S. senators, U.S. representatives, governors, secretaries of state, auditors of state, state representatives, state senators, county commissioners, members of council, township trustees, judges and school board members. In those interviews, there was always a sense of public service, not entitlement, prestige, power or title.

"I've worked so hard to get that title." She did not work so hard to be a public servant, to serve the constituents, to fight for their rights. No, she worked hard for that title.

Can you just imagine her on the campaign trail:

"Hi, I'm Barbara Boxer. I would appreciate your vote so I can have the title of senator."

"Hi, I'm Barbara Boxer. If you send me to Washington, D.C., I promise I will fight hard for my title. I won't let no military man call me ma'am. No, sir. Not me."

It seems to me, Boxer is in this for power, not for service. What a shame.

Oops

Never in a million years did I think I would post anything from the Daily Kos, however, it appears what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Fox News reports about how GOP thinks it is unfair and unprecedented ABC gets to broadcast news and hour-long health care special from the White House. Seems like Fox News had its own unprecedented access to Bush 43 and Dick Cheney. Thanks to @jaketapper via Twitter.

Convoy in moving pictures

Here are my videos from the Military Vehicle Preservation Association Transcontinental Convoy's stay in Wooster and Wayne County.

Vince's Slap Chop Rap

Zebra: Then and Now

The above video, wherein Dream Theater percussionist extraordinaire Mike Portnoy talks about a great band from the '80s, Zebra, is bittersweet for me. I jumped onto the Zebra bandwagon from the first time I heard "Who's Behind the Door," from the band's debut album, on WDIZ Rock 100 in Orlando.

That first album, which featured "Who's Behind the Door," "Take Your Fingers From My Hair" (which Dream Theater covers), "The La La Song," "Tell Me What You Want" and "As I Said Before," was an incredible effort. I was excited when I had the chance to see the band perform live in Orlando at Tom's Point After. It was a small club, and the band was great.

I eagerly awaited Zebra's sophomore offering, No Tellin' Lies, but it failed to measure up to the debut release. There was not really any memorable songs for me on No Tellin' Lies, but it was Zebra.

The third album, 3.V, was much improved, with several memorable songs, like "He's Makin' You the Fool," "Time," "Better Not Call" and "Your Mind's Open." Despite producing a solid record, the band from Louisiana that made it big in New York did not have the commercial success of its initial release.

Zebra's fourth release was a live album, and it was a good release, a veritable live greatest hits album with a Led Zeplin cover, "The Ocean."

I would continue looking in record shops, and later the Internet, to see if there were any more releases from Zebra. The band sort of faded into obscurity. I did not hear much about Randy Jackson (guitars, vocals), Felix Hanemann (bass, keyboards, vocals) and Guy Gelso (drums, percussion, vocals) after finding "Zebra Live" in the early 1990s.

So, I am excited my favorite band, Dream Theater, decided to cover "Take Your Fingers From My Hair." When I first listened to the cover, I had wished the guys would have done more with it. However, after listening to it a few times, it grew on me (though I still like Zebra's original version better).

What was bittersweet about the video was Portnoy's comments about Zebra being a forgotten band. The band might not have experienced the commercial success of its debut effort, but for true fans, Randy, Felix and Guy were never forgotten. Missed, but not forgotten.

Want to listen to Zebra, enjoy:

Zebra

Want to listen to Dream Theater's version of "Take Your Fingers From My Hair?"

Take Your Fingers From My Hair...

Obama: The 8th Wonder of the World

Read the Bible this summer

Here is a reading to plan to get you through the Bible in just 92 days. The plan starts June 1 and runs through Aug. 31. It is an incredible exercise, and I encourage you to try it, you will not be the same. You will come away with a greater understanding of God's love for us and how God can use tragic circumstances to bless us.

Read Bible Over the Summer

Publish at Scribd or explore others: How-to-Guides & Manu bible reading plan

Ron Paul asks ... What If?

During the run-up to the 2008 Presidential Election, I took a few of those online tests to determine which candidate best matched my views. In every one, my approach and philosophy of government aligned more with Ron Paul than with any other candidate. I always appreciated his passion for the Constitution and his Libertarian bent, but because I disagreed with him about the War in Iraq, I never really considered voting for him. I felt the Bush administration pursued a policy needed to protect this country. While I never considered Bush a conservative, I appreciated how he acted in a way to protect this country. However, Ron Paul's speech has me rethinking my position.

Rittman High School graduation

Here are some scenes from the 114th commencement at Rittman (Ohio) High School.

Cars torched in Wayne County fire

Here is some video footage I shot on my cell phone (a Palm Centro) of cars that were torched during a fire behind the Wayne County Care Center outside of Wooster on Memorial Day 2009.

Sonia and the rule of law

Obama; Wafer-thin margin

Rasmussen Reports.com notes on its site that the Daily Presidential Tracking poll has President Barack Obama's approval rating at +1, the second time he has reached this low point. Obama was last at +1 on May 2, 2009. His highest rating was +30 on Jan. 22, 2009. He has only been in double-digit positive territory once since March 6.

The +1 rating on Tuesday was before his his announcement of Sonia Sotamayor as his nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court. The influence of her nomination should show up within the next few days. As for this dip, it likely has to do with former Vice President Dick Cheney challenging President Obama on his decision to release the memos regarding the enhanced interrogation techniques and the president's own Democratic Party opposing him on closing the prison in Guantanamo Bay.

I thought for sure Obama would have dipped below zero by now, but he has not. He has come close, but has always rebounded. I will be watching to see if Sotamayor will be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

Thank you, veterans

When to remember, when to forget

Here is a sermon I preached this morning at Lighthouse Christian Church outside of Orrville, Ohio. Some of the "code" you see in the sermon are FAS-favorable attention step; CT-central thesis; CS-clarification step; G-goal; ILL-illustration; and TS-transition sentence. I use a modified sermon outline taught to me by R.J. Kidwell at Cincinnati Christian University.

Remember Sermon Outline

Publish at Scribd or explore others: sermon creator

Constitutional Crisis

Obama: My good friend, what's his name

President Obama has no idea who is secretary of defense is. He refers to Secretary Robert Gates as William Gates. This, despite the ubiquitous and obligatory TelePrompter.

Free TelePrompter with every purchase

The Great, Powerful Ozbama

Geithner: Too early to look at unwinding U.S. ownership

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) questions Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner about what will happen when TARP money is paid back (it will not necessarily go toward debt reduction) and when will the U.S. government return control of companies like GM and AIG (hint: not any time soon).

Gershwin meets progressive rock, LTE style

Liquid Tension Experiment, which includes three from Dream Theater -- Mike Portnoy, John Pertrucci and Jordan Rudess - and Tony Levin, gives its rendition of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, and it is incredible. I have been a Gershwin fan since the early 1990s when I heard the London Symphony Orchestra perform some of his compositions in Daytona Beach, and it is a pleasure to hear how "Dream Theater" treats one of Gershwin's most enduring and popular works, Rhapsody in Blue.

My wife and I recently watched a fictionalized biography of Gershwin on American Movie Classics. During the performances of An American in Paris and Rhapsody in Blue, I could not help but thinking if Gershwin had lived in these times, he might have been part of the progressive rock music scene. I believe he might be composing the type of music Dream Theater does.

I was happy to hear Liquid Tension Experiment performed -- and recorded -- Rhapsody in Blue. Below, you can see trailers for the deluxe DVD set being released later this year.

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:cfd9977e-105a-4d72-a106-c8edd06ab2b0&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="LTE Live in NYC DVD Trailer">Video: LTE Live in NYC DVD Trailer</a>


<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:37ff9511-0cd8-4fec-9544-8154d1985fe0&showPlaylist=true&from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="LTE Live in LA DVD Trailer">Video: LTE Live in LA DVD Trailer</a>

Obama: The giver that keeps on gifting

I have not read of any gift given by President Obama to Irsaeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the above was inspired by a tweet from @mkhammer.

Was Geithner separated at birth?

You tell me, should Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner have been tapped to play Mr. Spock in the new Star Trek movie?





Update:
Here are two of the three Spocks with Jimmy Fallon.

Dish Network wrecks my Preakness

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Thanks to Dish Network's satellite problems, service for my local NBC station dropped right before the gates dropped for the Preakness.

So, for those of you who are like me and did not get to see the video live, thanks to NBC Sports we can see the amazing race.

Jimmy Fallon Slow Jams the News, again

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

If it's not print, this is not a bad way to deliver the news.

Obama: Puttin'a a cap in their checks

Earlier this year, President Barack Obama said he was capping executive pay at financial institutions receiving government assistance (aka TARP/bailout money). He set the cap at $500,000, which he said was a fraction of what executive pay was.

I find this odd coming from a man who received $745 million in handouts in his run for president. Check out the graph from OpenSecrets.org showing how much he raised compared to the other presidential candidates, including Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Initially, Obama said he would accept public funding, and McCain agreed. Only McCain remained true to his word. As a result, McCain received far fewer handouts than Obama ($368 million).

So, Obama did not want to put a cap on what he could raise from the American taxpayers when he ran for office, but now he wants a cap on executive pay. Seems just a little hypocritical, doesn't it?

Dream Theater: A Rite of Passage video

Obama: Is he really looking forward?

Major Garrett of Fox News asked press secretary Robert Gibbs if President Barack Obama believed Nancy Pelosi's accusations that the CIA lied to her and misled her regarding briefings about enhanced interrogation techniques. Gibbs replied that the president believes the best thing to do is to look forward.

Funny Mr. Obama wants to look forward now. Every time something goes wrong, the first thing he does is to look back at the Bush-Cheney administration and blame it for the country's woes. All Mr. Obama wants to do is remind us he inherited this, that and the other thing from the previous administration. Obama and his appointees have spoken so often about inheriting problems from Bush that I jokingly tweeted how I wondered if Obama had to pay estate taxes because of all he has inherited.

I have no idea if Pelosi is lying or not, but Obama needs to be a man, take a stand and quit skirting the issue.

CNBC: Unions vs. Taxpayers

Do the United States need to be more like socialist Europe? Should government redistribute wealth? Should taxpayers foot the bill for everyone's health care to drive down the cost for automakers? Check out the video from CNBC.

Pelosi: Surfin' USA?

Community Organizer Tip No. 1

Tell me this is not the future of the Bible

Chaos and Harmony

Obama's health plan

Wages and prices often play leap frog

Another of the Harding College cartoons explaining why America is the finest country in which to live. This time, it explains why the retail cost of goods is so much higher than the material costs.

Geithner: Capitalism will be different

In the top video from YouTube Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner says capitalism will be different. Will it be different because the government will control it instead of the private sector. Will Geithner's brand of capitalism be socialism?

The video below is the full program.

Wanda Sykes at correspondents' dinner

Cheney: U.S. not in the torture business (CBS)

Update
I took the video down because it kept autoplaying. I could not figure out how to turn that function off, though I changed the values for autoplay. Nothing worked.

Consequently, here is the link for Dick Cheney talking on Face the Nation about how the U.S. is not in the torture business. See story and watch video here.

Happy Mother's Day from Paul Potts

Obama going 'off the cuff' at correspondents dinner

Riding the Sippo Valley Trail

After it looked like there was no more threat of rain, Wendi and I decided to take a ride on the Sippo Valley Trail, which, depending on how you look at it, either starts or terminates in Dalton, Ohio.

Instead of turning back once we reached the Stark County line, we decided to ride on the crushed limestone for a while. The Wayne County portion of the trail is paved, while the Stark side is not.

The ride was not too bad, though there were some spots that were a little soft due to the earlier rains. As we enjoyed the beautiful country side, we spotted the cows in a pasture, along with a horse. So, we decided to snap a photo for posterity.

We ended up riding 6.4 miles, averaging 9 mph.

Obama's next big public works program

Condi Rohrschach Test

If you think former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is losing it under the grilling of a student at Stanford University, you are likely an Obama supporter.

If you think former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is putting a gullible student in his place by schooling him on the realities of the world, you are likely a W. supporter.

Hit me with your best shot

The number of Republicans continue to slip slightly while the number of Democrats in this country remain flat, RasmussenReports.com revealed earlier this week.

Yet, despite the decline, in a generic congressional ballot, the Republicans beat the Democrats by the thinnest of margins, 40-39. The margin of error is +/- 1 percentage point. So, realistically, the actual numbers could be switched.

However, given the popularity of President Barack Obama, one would think the Democrats would enjoy a comfortable lead. They have virtually had a lock, with relatively few exceptions, on the generic congressional ballot for at least the last year-and-a-half, based on RasmussenReports.com polls.

Add to this a Republican Party that has been in disarray since the final year of President George W. Bush's second term, when he seemingly became disengaged. Somehow, Sen. John McCain, long considered a RINO (Republican in name only) managed to win the party's nomination, and he ended up running an abysmal campaign. The only bright spot of the campaign, based on the base's reaction, was the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, and McCain seemed to never fully embrace her. (Could it be because she garnered more attention and adoration than he among the party faithful?)

The Republicans have failed to put forth a compelling and consistent message, yet despite all of their foibles, the Democrats are not pulling away in the generic poll. There has been much discussion about starting a third party among disaffected conservatives, those who think Republicans are merely Democrats-lite.

Given all of this, and the fact that there are fewer Republicans, can it be the Democrats are in for a tough 2010 election cycle?

When you hear a politican's flashy rhetoric, duck and cover

Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it

Thanks to @Bob_Schaffer for the link to this cartoon from Harding College Extension Department made in 1948 to educate us as to what makes this country great.

Obama: Is he wearing his critics down?

Barack Obama's Presidential Approval Index stood at +9 Friday, the highest mark since March 21, according to RasmussenReports.com. Obama's PAI started at +28 on Jan. 21, 2009, rose to +30 two days later, then generally has been in steady decline with some fluctuations.

After enjoying such high favorable numbers in the early days of his presidency, Obama has only cracked a double-digit PAI on two occasions since March 7, 2009. He reached a low point on May 2, 2009, when the Presidential Approval Index slipped to +1.

I think any number in positive territory is OK. As I stated before, even if it were zero, then there would be as many people who strongly approved of the president as who strongly disapproved -- and the rest would be in the middle. Consequently, it is balanced.

What intrigues me is how did it go from +1 to +9? What caused the movement? Is it that the president wants to go after those who shirk their responsibilities by not paying taxes? Well, what about all of his appointees who had personal tax problems? Was it because of causing a scare in New York with Air Force One, spending $329,000 on the photo op and not owning up to the responsibility? (Do you believe he really did not know where his plane was?)

Could it be something else? Are Americans just growing weary of Obama and his leftward advances? Perhaps Obama has just worn them down into submission. At any rate, he is at +9. I figured he would have dipped into negative territory by now.

GOP ad on Guantanamo

Air Force One: A new era dawns

Note: I updated the "cartoon" to make Obama look more like a statue. -- BW

Wooster Area National Day of Prayer

Dream Theater: Free mp3 download

Road Runner Records is offering a free download, for a limited time, of "Rite of Passage," a song from the upcoming Dream Theater release "Black Clouds & Silver Linings."

The opening of the song reminds me of the intro from "In the Name of God" from the "Train of Thought" album. This song is harder, like the "Train of Thought" songs.

The first listen I did not like it so much. Now on my third listen, I really like it. The download is for a limited time; the company said 24 hours, and I am not sure when the clock started ticking.

Enjoy.

Here is the "Train of Thought" songs:

Train of Thought - Dream Theat...

newsboys: New face, new voice ... almost

The newsboys have a new release out today, In the Hands of God. The release features longtime frontman Peter Furler, however, live shows will not. Michael Tait, formerly of dc Talk, joined the band to sing at concerts.

Peter will still be involved with the band, including songwriting and production, but Tait will be the live voice for the newsboys. The band will be at the Alive Festival. According to the Web site, Peter will be making his final Alive appearance with the newsboys on June 20.

Here is In the Hands of God:

In The Hands Of God - Newsboys

Tim 'The Taxman' Geithner to hunt down other tax cheats

When Jean Baird was honored

Before Jean Baird passed away, she was recognized by the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross as a community hero. Here is a short video of her being recognized.

No media bias in D.C., right?

This video shows how the White House press corps responds when G.W. Bush walks into the press room and when B.H. Obama walks in.

Obama: Leftward, ho!

Biking on the Sippo Valley Trail

Wendi and I rode about 12 miles today on the Sippo Valley Trail from Dalton, Ohio, to the Stark County line. The Dalton/Wayne County side is paved and very nice. The Stark County side is crushed limestone. We rode on the Stark Count portion once, though we have been on the Dalton trail a number of times.

It took us about 1:10 minutes to ride the 12 miles. The paved trail is only 3 miles long between Dalton and Stark County, so we went there and back twice. Afterward, we ate sandwiches on a picnic table at the Village Green Park in Dalton. Very enjoyable day.

The first time Wendi and I went out this year was for a 3-mile ride through Secrest Arboretum on the campus of Ohio State University's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster. It will be good to see how we handle the hills this time. It was very difficult for me the first time out. We rode one, big loop. I hope we can do three big loops for a 9-mile ride.

Even the stones cry out for Churchill

Give Us The Tools (1941) - Win...

Do Your Worst (1941) - Winston...

Uh, uh, Gibbsy, we have a problem

Obama's first 100 days in photos

Check out President Barack Obama's first 100 days through photographs from the White House's collection posted on Flickr here. I really appreciate Pete Souza's photos.

Over the Rhine doin' just fine

Over the Rhine posted some photos from a recent concert in Texas on the band's Facebook page.

I became familiar with the band when I moved to Cincinnati in 1993 to study at Cincinnati Bible College & Seminary (now know collectively as Cincinnati Christian University). I was hooked from the moment I first heard them. Eve and Patience still rank high in my book; I love those releases.

Over the Rhine was a favorite of many students. While I have never seen the group in concert, I did get a chance to see them live, so to speak. I was working at a theater in Kenwood, and Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler were among those who showed up for a special screening of Shadowlands, a movie about C.S. Lewis starring Anthony Hopkins.

Enjoy some of the band's music:

Films For Radio - Over The Rhi...

Money, It's gotta be the shoes

Followed a link on The Drudge Report to a story about first lady Michelle Obama's tennis shoes costing $540. I am not sure why everyone is so caught up with her having nice, designer tennis shoes.

The Obamas are not poor. They are not living paycheck to paycheck. They can afford them. What is the big deal.

I don't want the government regulating how much people in the private sector earn (whether there is taxpayer money involved or not ... if you don't like the way the business is operating don't give it any money), and I certainly don't want pundits and the like to tell people how much they can spend on tennis shoes, jeans, dresses, hair cuts and the like.

If the Obamas want to remove $540 from their budget to purchase a pair of shoes, then let them. Never mind what the money could do (like sponsor a child for nearly a year-and-a-half through Compassion International), it does not matter.

This is supposedly still a free country where people can make decisions like what to wear, what to buy and what to enjoy. No matter how hypocritical it might appear given her husband's penchant to steal from the rich to give to the poor, it is still their right to spend their money how they see fit.

If the shoe fits, you must acquit. No, wait a minute. If the shoe fits, wear it.

They want private health insurance to fail

Rush Limbaugh was taken to task (and taken out of context) when he said he wanted President Barack Obama to fail. The context of what he said was that if Obama pursues policies aligned with socialism, then he wants him to fail.

Listen to the crowd's reaction in the above video as U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) talks about how Obama's health care reform will not allow the private insurance industry to be competitive. Listening to the crowd, I get the sense they want the private insurance industry to fail. How many people are employed in the industry?

I guess if it is wrong to hope one man fails, then it must be a greater travesty to want a whole industry to fail and millions of people lose jobs, causing financial hardship to families and children.

You're kidding me? Who posted this pic?

With all of the criticism President Obama is receiving about being a socialist, who in the White House would post this pic on www.WhiteHouse.gov? I am not going to say what it reminds me of, but isn't it obvious? This is a teachable moment for the Web administrator.

Obama's been briefed

Dr. Mo Saif discusses swine flu

Specter Spectacle

30-country, non-apology tour

I am always amazed and humbled when I check Google Analytics to see how many people visited the site, from where they came, how long they stayed on the site, how many pages they viewed and what pages they viewed.

I grew up in a single-family household in Revere, Mass. I have been in and around journalism since 1988, though most of my time has been with smaller newspapers. So, it is amazing to see the reach of this blog.

So far, people in 30 countries (and I am not apologizing for that) have stopped by The Warren Report. Here are the countries: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, India, Indonesia, Hungary, Italy, France, Poland, South Korea, Germany, The Netherlands, Malta, Switzerland, Japan, Brazil, Colombia, Austria, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Georgia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Australia, Mexico, Honk Kong, China, Macedonia and Bulgaria.

One-fourth of a penny saved is a penny earned

When President Barack Obama instructed his Cabinet to cut $100 million, what did you think about it? The creator of the above video tries to visually show us how much the $100 million is in relation to what we are spending.

Prompting the prompter

Oh, oh. TelePrompter is going to hear about it after it jumped the gun and left President Barack Obama hanging for the next line.

For those who said G.W. was an idiot and suggested English was his second language, what are your thoughts about BHO?

Go, Trek yourself

Saw this on Lifehacker. Just tried it yet, and it is pretty cool. Seems like something my wife would enjoy.

Update: Scratch Lifehacker. Saw it on Gizmodo.

Abandoning free market principles

There's some troubling news emerging about former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke about the roles the played in Bank of America's purchase of Merrill Lynch. The Wall Street Journal writes about an offer BoA CEO Ken Lewis could not refuse.

The WSJ piece (in its entirety here) states:

In the name of containing "systemic risk," our regulators spread it. In order to keep Mr. Lewis quiet, they all but ordered him to deceive his own shareholders. And in the name of restoring financial confidence, they have so mistreated Bank of America that bank executives everywhere have concluded that neither Treasury nor the Federal Reserve can be trusted.

President Bush said he abandoned free market principles to save the free market. Talk about a toxic asset.

I encourage you to read the WSJ piece.

Operational pause ...

This blog has been quiet the past few days, and for good reason: Wendi and I were on our bikes Friday, Saturday and Sunday (and I shot video a baseball game Saturday for friends).

It felt great to get out and ride, the first time we did so this year. We rode 3 miles through Secrest Arboretum on Friday night, 11.5 miles on the Holmes County Trail between Millersburg and Killbuck on Saturday (where we ran into a modern-day wagon train) and 5.8 miles on Sunday when we rode to Parkview Church of Christ for our Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University Class we lead.

Here is the wagon train video (shot on a cell phone):



Here is Ryan playing baseball (shot on Sony HandyCam HD):