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

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