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Sunday, July 16, 2006
mrt v3.0
As the blog gets older and has reached its third year, I thought a little make-over would due as a self-birthday present (we don't want to show our age, do we now?). This is the third design (the first in 2 years) that I have had at Mr Rocky Top. This is also the first time that I have a design that Blogger did not offer with its pre-made templates. I hope you enjoy the new look. If not, please let me know. Also, if you have any problems viewing the new design, please notify me soon so I can work on it. Please contact me through the comments section or email me to share your opinion. Thanks! (Oh yeah, vote on the poll below and tell me what you think)
tagged mrrockytop
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
A Few Happenings
A few things have been going on recently.
Took a random trip to Atlanta to watch the Braves play baseball. Sam & I took the train in and ran around ATL all day (when I say "ran," I mean "ran!"); we then finished with a great game of baseball. Sam's first pro game in America.
I finally got my camera back. I have been suffering withdrawal for quite a while. It feels great to be able to take pictures again.
I bought a nice jacket for $3 a few weeks ago. I also bought a nice dinnerware set from a local thrift store last week. I also got a nice picture (a huge hot dog) for the kitchen that you can see below. Went and bought some stuff in Pigeon Forge (including a fancy vest that had been marked down to $9 from $80). Also got a nice & lucky chair from an "undisclosed location." It really is lucky...helps with everything!
tagged pictures, college, friends, personal
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Who is Bob Corker?
That's my personalized rendition of Bob Corker's signature at the end of his commercials (I have fun impersonating him). The Tennessean has an interesting article today regarding what many Republicans have been asking since Bob Corker entered the Republican primary race: is Corker truly a conservative that supports pro-life legislation? He continuously begs people to believe him that he is indeed such a candidate, but many have true doubts about that stance. The Tennessee Right to Life organization has even gone on to say that they will not support the Republicans this Fall if Corker wins the primary. Republican leaders point to his campaign donations to Democrats and a major decision he made while serving as a member of the Gov. Sundquist administration.
Corker also has drawn the ire of some Republicans over a flap when he was state finance commissioner in 1995 under former Gov. Don Sundquist.
His critics claim that he blocked an amendment to the state budget that year that would prohibit the use of state tax dollars on abortions.
"I remember he being mad and thinking I was playing politics with it," said the man who brought him the amendment, state Rep. Bill Dunn.
Corker's opposition surprised Dunn because he figured Sundquist would support such a measure just as he had on the federal level when he was in Congress, said Dunn, a Republican from Knoxville.
Corker's recollection is different.
"I told him I agreed very much with what he wanted to do, but I knew no way the amendment would pass at the 11th hour," Corker said. He suggested to Dunn that he try again the next year.
Bryant [Former US-Rep Ed Bryant running against Corker] doesn't buy that explanation: "I'd like to respond that you're pro-life 24 hours a day, and if you're pro-life, very often the 11th hour is when you have to be strongest."
The Tennessean interviewed Corker's friend Edee Orr and asked her what she thought; she is fully convinced that he supports pro-life issues. Well, thank you Tennessean and Edee for clearing that up. Myself, I have some doubts. Corker says that he had a change of heart (some call that a "flip-flop") seven or eight years ago.
"Since that time, certainly, I've served in the public arena. I understand the issue in a totally different light and realize it's about protecting the unborn," Corker said last week. "I personally believe that life begins at conception and believe we should protect the unborn. I am pro-life."
...
In 1994, "I was looking at it more from a perspective of laws governing the adult versus protecting the unborn," he said. Since that time, he has served in public office and raised two daughters.
I sure that it is entirely conceivable that Corker could have changed his mind, but I am not totally convinced myself. It is now politically favorable for Bob to have a pro-life stance; most Tennesseans (the voters) support pro-life legislation. If he wants to get elected, of course he has to say such things. This is what I feel is going on: Bob wants to get elected, and this stance is required to get the votes. This is simply election-year rhetoric. On the other hand, though, it is also entirely possible that this is just the best issue that his opponents can use against Corker. Goodness, election years are confusing! (more here)
tagged 06election, tennessee, politics
Sunday, May 21, 2006
CoverTN
The only problem that I have with it is that the Governor is just trying to save his own butt from his little dealings with Tenncare. After kicking thousands of people off that medical program, he needed something to make himself look good to the voters of Tennessee.
His solution: come up with something that at least looks like people are getting medical coverage (whether the people are getting good coverage or not, don't ask me because I don't really know). It is kind of funny that this gets approved not long before the Governor campaign season kicks into high gear. This certainly was a great move for Bredesen's camp; I just question if this will truly help the state or if this is a gimmick to make voters happy. (story here)
filed under: 06election, politics, tennessee
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Salute Your Shorts
A State Representative Tom DuBois of Columbia wants to create a legal state pledge to our flag. Not only that, but he wants to require the state lawmakers to recite the pledge before sessions and then maybe make it required for school children. The pledge was drafted by Lucy Steele Harrison when she led the Tennessee Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Here is the pledge itself: "Three white stars on a field of blue / God keep them strong and ever true / It is with pride and love that we / Salute the flag of Tennessee." I think the mentioning of God could stir up some controversy; I say the ACLU is already preparing for such a fight. I think the pledge idea isn't that bad, but I doubt it will ever really catch on. Most people don't even salute the American flag anymore; why would people start with Tennessee's? (story here)
The Democrat-lobbyist dinner was cancelled yesterday after The Tennessean came out with a story about the party. The Democrats were being criticized for having a lobbyist-cozy party that was taking in contributions a month after ethics legislation was passed. Not only that, but the dinner itself was being advertised on the House floor. The keynote speaker was suppose to be a lobbyist himself. I think a better idea for the Democrats is to have a party for the people of Tennessee. They aren't in Nashville for the lobbyists; they are there to represent our voice. Have a big dinner that supports our voices, not one that silences us. (story here)
It also looks like blogger Bob Krumm could be gearing up for a run for state office. His website over the past few days has changed and now looks more like a campaign site. This guy is pretty smart (at least with his online postings) so I wouldn't mind to have him at the Capitol.
filed under: tennessee, politics
Senate Questions Big Oil
Senate members of the Judiciary Committee confronted oil executives today about mergers and high gas prices. You all know my position regarding gas companies. I found a few things interesting from today's public hearing:
>>The industry only invests 3% of profits in developing new energy sources. The big guys responded by saying that most of their money went to shareholders through stock buybacks and dividends. (Glad to know that my $30 per fill-up goes to make the rich richer)
>>None of them responded when asked if they needed the $2.8 billion worth of government subsidies in our current economic condition. The Exxon head certainly couldn't say anything since that company earned over $36 billion last year. (Anyone embarrassed by taking government handouts that's not needed?)
>>Exxon's head took a turn on the government by saying that it would be helpful if they would stop introducing so many varieties of reformulated gasoline.
>>One reason that natural gas is so expensive is because energy companies defeated a plan to import the gas from Canada and buried excess supplies. The gas companies declined at least six opportunities to have a free pipeline built for the imported natural gas.
>>The five largest American refiners control 56% of refining operations while the top 10 control 85%. (No monopoly, huh?)
(stories here and here)
filed under: news, politics, business
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
TAR8/EP2: "The Sea is Green"
EPISODE 2
The teams, last night, departed Lancaster county for Washington DC. In Washington, a few teams had lots of problems just finding that a clue that happen to be by the reflective pool in front of the capitol building, not the one in front of the Lincoln memorial. Also in Washington, teams 
had to undertake a spy mission and find a person dressed fancy and with a briefcase. The person with the briefcase would have to respond, "the sea is green" when the team member said "the sky is blue." After that roadblock, teams made their way to rural Virginia where they completed their Roadblock in the middle of a Civil War reenactment. It was a close race to the finish line, but the Rogers family ultimately was eliminated last night.
THE LINZ COMEBACK
The comeback by the Linz family was absolutely amazing! They were in 9th place when they departed the pit stop and then finished this leg of the race in 2nd place. They really didn't have to put much effort into that accomplishment either. They just worked together and didn't get lost. I think that was one of the saving aspects for the Linz family: they never got lost. Many teams had trouble with that last night, but not this one. I think we might 
see them more often more the top of the bracket from now on. Also notice how few arguments that they got into last night. The brothers didn't pester their sister that much (compared to EP1), and they finished better. I see a connection, but that is just a sticking point with me. I think teams also do better when they argue little; it just always seems to help.
PAOLO POWER
This team is just freaking hilarious! I don't want this family to win, but I certainly want them to stick around a little. They certainly add some comic relief to show. They constantly argue about everything, especially the mom. It is just so funny how they argued through the entire leg last night! I was surprised how well they did last night (finished 5th). They made a little comeback themselves. These Greeks are crazy, and I love watching them on the Race!
FOR PETE'S SAKE, ASK SOMEONE!
I really don't understand why the teams last night did not ask people about where to go. It seems like they would rather spend valuable time lost than asking a local where something is. This is one thing some of the teams are going to have to learn! It is just like the Race when it goes overseas. The people that find locals to help them out or to just ask directions always do well in the Race. One of the best strategies in the Race is to learn the locals very quickly. The Gaghan family spent two hours walking around the wrong reflective pool and didn't even think to ask someone if there was another pool or if they had seen a Race flag. The Aiello family 
spent forever just trying to find a gas station and wasted all their time hunting one down. If they had just asked someone on the street where the nearest station was at, I am sure they could have got their a whole lot quicker. One team did do somewhat well in the category: the Godlewski family. The asked people where the reflective pool was at and also asked where available parking was at. I truly think some of the teams would do much better if they would only ask directions, which we saw most of them did not do last night.
filed under: amazing_race_8