4 Days to Iowa Caucuses: Another Day, Another Poll

This sexy poll just came out from MSNBC. It doesn't show us anything we didn't already know....it's very close. I like that it shows Edwards in front though!

5 Days to Iowa Caucus: Iowa Independent- Democratic Power Ranking

The Iowa Independent released the last in it's series of power rankings for the Democratic caucus. It reflects their predictions if the caucuses were held today. They predict an Obama victory, with Hillary and Edwards tied for 2nd. I agree that Obama probably has the most popular support among Democrats in the state, but the caucus system rewards those who show up and spend the night talking politics. I'm not convinced that the Obama supporters will show up on caucus night, in fact, I don't think they will. The Edwards and Hillary support seems to more solid among likely caucus goers. Anyway, this was the call from the Iowa Independent. I think Obama has the least chance of winning among the major 3(Edwards, Clinton, Obama). We'll see on Thursday!

Edwards Radicalizes Anti-Corporate Pitch

A good article from Huffington Post

6 Days to Iowa Caucus: 3-way dead heat

The LA Times has just released new polls of the Iowa and New Hampshire races. IN Iowa, it's still looking like a three-way tie between Hillary Clinton (29%), Barack Obama (26%), and John Edwards (25%). This is more good news for Edwards in my opinion because of the 15% viabilty threshold in the primary system that will drive unviable Kucinich, Biden, and Dodd supporters to Edwards.

In New Hampshire, it is a two-way tie between Obama (32%), and Clinton (30%), with Edwards trailing at 18%.

A new national poll by Knowledge Networks shows Hillary Clinton with a commanding lead over Barack Obama, 47% to 25%. If Obama or Edwards can't stop her in Iowa, it will be nearly impossible to stop her later on. If Hillary wins Iowa....it's over and she rolls to the nomination.

It's going to be a very interesting Thursday next week!

Lakota Sioux Secede From US, Declare Independence

by Bill Harlan

Political activist Russell Means, a founder of the American Indian Movement, says he and other members of Lakota tribes have renounced treaties and are withdrawing from the United States.

“We are now a free country and independent of the United States of America,” Means said in a telephone interview. “This is all completely legal.”

Means said a Lakota delegation on Monday delivered a statement of “unilateral withdrawal” from the United States to the U.S. State Department in Washington.

The State Department did not respond. “That’ll take some time,” Means said.

Meanwhile, the delegation has delivered copies of the letter to the embassies of Bolivia, Venezuela, Chile and South Africa. “We’re asking for recognition,” Means said, adding that Ireland and East Timor are “very interested” in the declaration.

Other countries will get copies of the same declaration, which Means said also would be delivered to the United Nations and to state and county governments covered by treaties, including treaties signed in 1851 and 1868. “We’re willing to negotiate with any American political entity,” Means said.

The United States could face international pressure if it doesn’t agree to negotiate, Means said. “The United State of America is an outlaw nation, we now know. We’ve understood that as a people for 155 years.”

Means also said his group would file liens on property in parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming that were illegally homesteaded.

The Web site for the declaration, “Lakota Freedom,” briefly crashed Thursday as wire services picked up the story and the server was overwhelmed, Means said.

Delegation member Phyllis Young said in an online statement: “We are not trying to embarrass the United States. We are here to continue the struggle for our children and grandchildren.” Young was an organizer of Women of All Red Nations.

Other members of the delegation include Rapid City-area activist Duane Martin Sr. and Gary Rowland, a leader of the Chief Big Foot Riders.

Means said anyone could live in the Lakota Nation, tax free, as long as they renounced their U.S. citizenship. The nation would issue drivers licenses and passports, but each community would be independent. “It will be the epitome of individual liberty, with community control,” Means said.

To make his case, Means cited several articles of the U.S. Constitution, the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and a recent nonbinding U.N. resolution on the rights of indigenous people.

He thinks there will be international pressure. “If the U.S. violates the law, the whole world will know it,” Means said.

Means’ group is based in Porcupine on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

It is not an agency or branch of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Means ran unsuccessfully for president of the tribe in 2006.

Lakota tribes have long claimed that the U.S. government stole land guaranteed by treaties — especially in western South Dakota. “The Missouri River is ours, and so are the Black Hills,” Means said.

A U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1980 awarded the tribes $122 million as compensation, but the court did not award land. The Lakota have refused the settlement. (As interest accrues, the unclaimed award is approaching $1 billion.)

In the late 1980s, then-Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey introduced legislation to return federal land to the tribes, and California millionaire Phil Stevens also tried to win support for a proposal to return the Black Hills to the Lakota.

Obama takes small lead in NH

In a new Boston Globe poll on the NH primary, Barack Obama has surged ahead of Hillary Clinton to take a 2% lead, 30-28, with John Edwards still way behind at 14%. Of course these numbers will dramatically change after the results of the Iowa caucuses. But these numbers again show that the Hillary train may be starting to come off the tracks. That said, if she does manage to win Iowa after all, she may be impossible to stop.

Is John Edwards REALLY going to win Iowa?

I've been noticing Edwards creeping up in the Iowa polls lately. And I've talked about his chances of actually winning the Iowa caucuses. But now it seems others are taking notice as well.

by Mark Halperin

John Edwards is well positioned to shock (some) of the political world by winning the Democrats’ Iowa caucuses on January 3rd. Backers of both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama would not be the least bit surprised if Edwards finished first in that kick-off contest, although they argue that his strength in Iowa is not matched in the states that will vote afterwards.

That latter point has some merits (as does the counter argument made by Edwards’ advisers, who believe an Iowa win will rocket him into contention in other primaries and caucuses). What is not debatable is that the North Carolinian has plenty of advantages in Iowa that could propel him to the most important political victory of the year.

Here, then, is a Millworker’s Dozen list of what Edwards has going for him in Iowa:

1. The endorsement of the First Lady of Iowa.

2. The support (some secret) of people close to Governor Culver.

3. Big Labor help being quietly marshaled by one of Iowa’s top Democratic operatives and by Edwards’ 2004 campaign manager.

4. A consistently confident, upbeat demeanor.

5. A re-tooled stump speech that has audiences rising up, and that is filled with specifics of his agenda.

6. Caucus rules that work to the advantage of those with strong support in rural and blue collar areas.

7. Dedicated supporters who will likely turn out even if the weather is cold and inclement.

8. National trial lawyers who are going to do something (read: “everything”) to get their guy elected.

9. A popular, visible spouse.

10. More than enough money to be competitive.

11. Fearlessness.

12. A stronger work ethic than anyone in the race.

13. Perfect pitch in handling Clinton-Obama conflict.

14. A strong Des Moines Register debate performance.

15. New polling showing him as a strong general election candidate and some new boffo national media clips.

16. High favorables and strong second choice support.

17. Trained precinct captains in almost every precinct – a true, old-fashioned organization.

Old Clash Fan Fight Song

Billy Bragg's Old Clash Fan Fight Song single was released as a 7-inch vinyl 2-track single. Unfortunately, it actually is a 7-inch vinyl and I have nothing that is able to play such a technology, so I can't buy it. :-( But you can buy it from the Billy Bragg shop online, if you are so inclined.

Luckily, he released a live show that contains a live version of the song that you can download as an mp3 for free!

Also, the last 2 songs from the Salisbury Live show were released online. The other songs can be found in a previous Billy Bragg post.

Billy Bragg Podcasts - Episode 10: Victim of Geography

This is the latest installment of the Billy Bragg podcasts from the official Billy Bragg website.

Episode 10: Victim of Geography

In 1989 a crafty comment during a political song festival about rabbits running free gets Billy chucked out of East Berlin and a warning he would never play East Germany again. He didn’t - because within a year the Berlin Wall had come down.

In this episode, Billy, with some more nudge-nudge-wink-wink from Wiggy, recalls a year in which he never seemed to stop touring, winding up in Bolivia with Andy Kershaw making a programme for the BBC.

Here are the links to all 10 podcasts released so far, for those inclined to listen.

Episode 9: Where's My Playtex?

It’s 1988. Billy, Wiggy, and the Red Stars tour extensively, and work with Natalie Merchant in the States. Billy and Cara Tivey record She’s Leaving Home for charity, but after the record goes to number one in the UK (with the help of a double A-side from pop act Wet Wet Wet), a hastily-arranged Top of the Pops television performance goes awry thanks to a ladder and special BBC ‘heavy’ dry ice.

Episode 8: Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards

Billy and Wiggy recall the making of Workers Playtime in 1988, and how producer Joe Boyd, some veteran Sixties session musicians, and the wonderful Cara Tivey helped them create a classic album.

Episode 7: The Internationale

The Berlin Wall comes down as Billy tours the States with Wiggy and the rest of the Red Stars. Relieved at the bloodless overthrow of a repressive police state, but dismayed by the West’s crowing, Billy decides he should examine more closely some of the Communist and socialist ideals that had been expressed in song. And so The Internationale mini-album came into being - which included The Red Flag and Blake’s Jerusalem among other uplifting songs.

He also describes the background to the DVD ‘Here and There’ that accompanies the re-issued Internationale and Billy Bragg Volume 1 boxed set.

Episode 6: Taxman

Johnny Marr and John Porter help Billy find a slicker style of production in the studio as he writes and records the material for Talking With The Taxman About Poetry. The peerless Kirsty MacColl, who had already scored a hit with a pop version of A New England, contributes backing vocals. And a song called Levi Stubbs’ Tears establishes Billy’s versatility as a songwriter.

Episode 5: Brewing Up with Political Pop

Billy and Wiggy return from America to discover not glamour, but the grim battle of the Miners’ Strike, and Billy is forced to think about his political ideals and articulate them in his writing and performing.

Episode 4: Brewing Up With the Burns

It is 1984 and something approaching Bragg Mania exists in the UK as Billy tops the indie charts. He’s rubbing shoulders with his heroes The Smiths as well as The Redskins, and he’s had his face on the front of the NME newspaper - so where does he go from here? Tours America with Wiggy, and acquires a certain guitar named Burns, that’s what he does…

Episode 3: PJ to the top of the indie charts

In which Billy describes how he came to record his first (mini) album of songs he had honed in live performances, and how he found out about a certain music manager by the name of Pete Jenner - formerly svengali of Pink Floyd, T-Rex, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, and the Clash.

Marvel as Billy describes his ingenious means of getting his demo in front of PJ - by pretending to be a TV engineer - and the famous curry incident that got his first record played by legendary Radio 1 DJ John Peel.

Wiggy tops and tails this episode, and prods Billy from time to time as the tale unfolds…

Episode 2: Oliver's Army to the Tunnel

Riff Raff is dead. So what do you do when your punk dream dies with it? Join the Army, of course, if you’re Billy Bragg. And then leave it sharpish.

Billy continues his series of podcasts on his career with a description of how he tried to develop his song-writing skills and forge a distinctive solo style, and plays a few of those early songs. Aided and abetted, as usual, by Wiggy.

Episode 1: Pre-history to the end of Riff Raff

The first episode of Billy Bragg’s new series of podcasts in which he discusses his career with Wiggy - childhood friend, guitar teacher, and musical collaborator in Riff Raff and the Red Stars.

Billy Bragg Volume 1, a boxed set of Billy’s first four studio albums plus bonus material - 7 CDs and two DVDs in all - was released in March 2006 by Yep Roc Records in the USA and Cooking Vinyl in the UK. It is available in the Billy Bragg Shop here

Riff Raff - The Singles 1977-1980, a 13-track CD compilation of Billy and Wiggy’s first band, including the songs played in this podcast, is available exclusively from the Billy Bragg Shop here

Shameless Promo #23: Travel 'The Journey' with Minnesota Basketball

I'm looking forward to watching this tonight. I know, I know, I have no life and am unhealthy obsessed with Gopher sports....but whatever, I love it. If you have the Big Ten Network (which no one does) you should check this out.

Big Ten Network to air 8-episode all-access series with coach Tubby Smith

AP Photo

As the highly anticipated first season of the Tubby Smith era at Minnesota continues, the Big Ten Network will introduce viewers to the personalities that make up the Golden Gophers through the original series, MINNESOTA BASKETBALL: THE JOURNEY.

The 8-episode series debuts with an hour-long episode Friday, December 21 at 6 PM CT.

MINNESOTA BASKETBALL: THE JOURNEY will follow the Gophers' entire season, including activities on the basketball court and beyond. The show will take viewers on campus and deep inside the Minnesota basketball program with the players, coaches and support staff. Big Ten Network cameras will travel with the Gophers on the team plane, capture practices, pre-game shoot-arounds and time-out huddles, as well as many of Smith's pre-game, halftime and post-game speeches in the locker room.

"As Tubby Smith brings his history of success north, the transformation of Minnesota basketball will undoubtedly be an interesting story to tell," said Big Ten Network Executive Producer Leon Schweir. "We plan to capture it all."

As of Dec. 18, Smith's Gophers are 7-1 and off to their best start since the 2000-01 campaign. Four Minnesota players average double figures in scoring led by Dan Coleman's 13.6 points per game.

"The Big Ten Network has an opportunity to bring Big Ten fans closer to their favorite programs than ever before," network president Mark Silverman said. "MINNESOTA BASKETBALL: THE JOURNEY is an example of how we are creating original, compelling programming that people will want to see."

New 30-minute episodes of MINNESOTA BASKETBALL: THE JOURNEY will debut starting in January and follow the Gophers throughout the season. Check local listings for dates and times or the programming schedule on BigTenNetwork.com.

The Great Source Jubilee Game Raid of 07!

WARNING! VERY NERDY CONTENT AHEAD!

On Saturday December 15th things got a little crazy. The Source comic and game store in St. Paul had their annual "Source Jubilee." I knew there was going to be a sale and free food so I showed up to look for a game called "On the Underground" that I played on Friday night with J & D. When I walked into the store I saw a collection of nerds, geeks, and dorks that I never thought was possible to see in one place (except a Star Trek convention).

After fighting through the maze of geeks I discovered I was standing directly in front of the only copy of "On the Underground," and saw signs that said everything in the store was 20% off. "hmmmm, maybe I should pick up another game at 20% off."

Suddenly I hear a conversation over my shoulder. One of the nerds is on the cell phone....."Everything in the store is 20% off and the military games are 50% off!" Now my thoughts run back through every game I've ever wanted to buy as I rush over to the military games section.

I quickly discover that the games have been picked over fairly well. (It was about 12:30 and they opened up at 10am.) I looked for the WW2 block game that I wanted to buy. It was $100, so I knew I had to buy it at $50! But alas, all 3 copies were already gone. I spent the next 45 minutes looking through the piles of remaining games and found a few gems.

As I was about to leave I thought I'd give J & my bro M a call, as they are nearly as dorky as me. I made my $232 purchase, hauled my games out in a garbage bag to the car, and then came back in the store to find J & D, who had just arrived. I walked around and looked some more with them for about 20 minutes. They picked up a few games and I bolted to M's house to show off the new games.

After a couple hours at M's house of game talk he decided he needed to make his own run to The Source to find any gems left in the 50% off military game section. So I went back for a 3rd time in a day. M picked up a bunch of games, and I decided to pick up 2 more.....why not?

It was really a great day. We've got enough games to last us for a good while. The only issue now is finding the time to play them. I've got nothing but free time on my hands, but my game playing comrades on the other hand have real jobs, families and loved ones. So they could be a bit tougher to get in one place for 6-8 hours. But we'll do the best that we can. To all of those dorky gamers out there I say......"Nerds of the world unite! You have nothing to lose but your wedgies!"

I was trying to post all the photos on The MarxistGopher Report itself and then have descriptions of each game. Unfortunately I'm having technical problems doing that, so I just have to link to the photos. You can check out all the game images here!

WOW!! Another email from the same person in an earlier post.

Check out the other email this person sent out in the History of Pledge of Allegiance post below. I don't even know what to say about this. This is just incredibly racist and just incredible....although not surprising given the current climate.

Letter from an American Who Studied in Denmark

By Susan MacAllen

In 1978-9 I was living and studying in Denmark.

But in 1978 - even in Copenhagen, one didn't see Muslim immigrants. The Danish population embraced visitors, celebrated the exotic, went out of its way to protect each of its citizens. It was proud of its new brand of socialist liberalism - one in development since the conservatives had lost power in 1929 - a system where no worker had to struggle to survive, where one ultimately could count upon the state as in, perhaps, no other western nation at the time.

The rest of Europe saw the Scandinavians as free-thinking, progressive and infinitely generous in their welfare policies. Denmark boasted low crime rates, devotion to the environment, a superior educational system and a history of humanitarianism.

Denmark was also most generous in its immigration policies - it offered the best welcome in Europe to the new immigrant: generous welfare payments from first arrival plus additional perks in transportation, housing and education. It was determined to set a world example for inclusiveness and multiculturalism. How could it have predicted that one day in 2005 a series of political cartoons in a newspaper would spark violence that would leave dozens dead in the streets - all because its commitment to multiculturalism would come back to bite?

By the 1990's the growing urban Muslim population was obvious - and its unwillingness to integrate into Danish society was obvious. Years of immigrants had settled into Muslim-exclusive enclaves. As the Muslim leadership became more vocal about what they considered the decadence of Denmark's liberal way of life, the Danes - once so welcoming - began to feel slighted. Many Danes had begun to see Islam as incompatible with their long-standing values: belief in personal liberty and free speech, in equality for women, in tolerance for other ethnic groups, and a deep pride in Danish heritage and history.

The New York Post in 2002 ran an article by Daniel Pipes and Lars Hedegaard, in which they forecasted accurately that the growing immigrant problem in Denmark would explode. In the article they reported: 'Muslim immigrants constitute 5 percent of the population but consume upwards of 40 percent of the welfare spending.'

'Muslims are only 4 percent of Denmark's 5.4 million people but make up a majority of the country's convicted rapists, an especially combustible issue given that practically all the female victims are non-Muslim. Similar, if lesser, disproportions are found in other crimes.'

'Over time, as Muslim immigrants increase in numbers, they wish less to mix with the indigenous population. A recent survey finds that only 5 percent of young Muslim immigrants would readily marry a Dane.'

'Forced marriages - promising a newborn daughter in Denmark to a male cousin in the home country, then compelling her to marry him, sometimes on pain of death - are one problem'

'Muslim leaders openly declare their goal of introducing Islamic law once Denmark's Muslim population grows large enough - a not-that-remote prospect. If present trends persist, one sociologist estimates, every third inhabitant of Denmark in 40 years will be Muslim.'

It is easy to understand why a growing number of Danes would feel that Muslim immigrants show little respect for Danish values and laws. An example is the phenomenon common to other European countries and the U.S.: some Muslims in Denmark who opted to leave the Muslim faith have been murdered in the name of Islam, while others hide in fear for their lives. Jews are also threatened and harassed openly by Muslim leaders in Denmark, a country where once Christian citizens worked to smuggle out nearly all of their 7,000 Jews by night to Sweden - before the Nazis could invade. I think of my Danish friend Elsa - who as a teenager had dreaded crossing the street to the bakery every morning under the eyes of occupying Nazi soldiers - and I wonder what she would say today.

In 2001, Denmark elected the most conservative government in some 70 years - one that had some decidedly non-generous ideas about liberal unfettered immigration. Today Denmark has the strictest immigration policies in Europe. ( Its effort to protect itself has been met with accusations of 'racism' by liberal media across Europe - even as other governments struggle to right the social problems wrought by years of too-lax immigration.)

If you wish to become Danish, you must attend three years of language classes. You must pass a test on Denmark's history, culture, and a Danish language test. You must live in Denmark for 7 years before applying for citizenship. You must demonstrate an intent to work, and have a job waiting. If you wish to bring a spouse into Denmark, you must both be over 24 years of age, and you won't find it so easy anymore to move your friends and family to Denmark with you.

You will not be allowed to build a mosque in Copenhagen. Although your children have a choice of some 30 Arabic culture and language schools in Denmark, they will be strongly encouraged to assimilate to Danish society in ways that past immigrants weren't.

In 2006, the Danish minister for employment, Claus Hjort Frederiksen, spoke publicly of the burden of Muslim immigrants on the Danish welfare system, and it was horrifying: the government's welfare committee had calculated that if immigration from Third World countries were blocked, 75 percent of the cuts needed to sustain the huge welfare system in coming decades would be unnecessary. In other words, the welfare system as it existed was being exploited by immigrants to the point of eventually bankrupting the government. 'We are simply forced to adopt a new policy on immigration. The calculations of the welfare committee are terrifying and show how unsuccessful the integration of immigrants has been up to now,' he said.

A large thorn in the side of Denmark's imams is the Minister of Immigration and Integration, Rikke Hvilshoj. She makes no bones about the new policy toward immigration, 'The number of foreigners coming to the country makes a difference,' Hvilshøj says, 'There is an inverse correlation between how many come here and how well we can receive the foreigners that come.' And on Muslim immigrants needing to demonstrate a willingness to blend in, 'In my view, Denmark should be a country with room for different cultures and religions. Some values, however, are more important than others. We refuse to question democracy, equal rights, and freedom of speech.'

Hvilshoj has paid a price for her show of backbone. Perhaps to test her resolve, the leading radical imam in Denmark, Ahmed Abdel Rahman Abu Laban, demanded that the government pay blood money to the family of a Muslim who was murdered in a suburb of Copenhagen, stating that the family's thirst for revenge could be thwarted for money. When Hvilshoj dismissed his demand, he argued that in Muslim culture the payment of retribution money was common, to which Hvilshoj replied that what is done in a Muslim country is not necessarily what is done in Denmark. The Muslim reply came soon after: her house was torched while she, her husband and children slept. All managed to escape unharmed, but she and her family were moved to a secret location and she and other ministers were assigned bodyguards for the first time - in a country where such murderous violence was once so scarce.

Her government has slid to the right, and her borders have tightened. Many believe that what happens in the next decade will determine whether Denmark survives as a bastion of good living, humane thinking and social responsibility, or whether it becomes a nation at civil war with supporters of Sharia law.

And meanwhile, Americans clamor for stricter immigration policies, and demand an end to state welfare programs that allow many immigrants to live on the public dole. As we in America look at the enclaves of Muslims amongst us, and see those who enter our shores too easily, dare live on our taxes, yet refuse to embrace our culture, respect our traditions, participate in our legal system, obey our laws, speak our language, appreciate our history . . we would do well to look to Denmark, and say a prayer for her future and for our own.

God Bless America!

14 Days to Iowa Caucus: Edwards making a run at it?

Things are looking up for Edwards in Iowa again! And Hillary seems to be fading. This is not good news for her at all. An Insider Advantage poll shows Obama at 27%, Edwards at 26%, and Hillary fading to 24%. A Washington Post , however, shows Obama at 33%, Hillary at 29%, and Edwards at 20%. It's basically still anyones to grab. I could write my own synopsis of all this, but I'm feeling lazy this morning, so I just quote from the votemaster over at my favorite site this time of the year, Electoral-Vote

"We have three new polls for Iowa and two new ones for New Hampshire. Bottom line: it is too close to call in both states. One new development is Edwards is creeping up again in Iowa. What is also significant is that he is the overwhelming second choice of the also-rans' supporters. Does does it matter that a Kucinich voter has Edwards as his or her second choice? As it turns out, it does due to the way the Iowa Democratic caucuses work. When voters show up, they go to separate corners of the room to talk ("caucus") over their favorites, then there is a plenary session in which a public vote is taken. Any candidate getting fewer than 15% of the votes (think: Kucinich) is deemed not viable and eliminated. Then the voters recaucus (if such a word exists). Where the Kucinich, Dodd, Biden, Gravel, and Richardson voters go now matters a lot. If they gravitate to Edwards, he could win the caucuses.

Just below is a table listing the current status of all six early states. The polling data given is the end date of the most recent poll. Any other polls within a week of that date are averaged in. Note that South Carolina suffers from a split personality: Republicans vote on Jan. 19 and Democrats vote a week later. While Iowa is swinging around wildly, Hillary Clinton has leads in the other five states. Of course a big Edwards or Obama win in Iowa could reshuffle the deck. On the Republican side anything can happen."

State	Vote	Poll	Democrat	Republican
Iowa	Jan. 3	Dec. 17	Obama +5%	Huckabee +2%
New Hampshire	Jan. 8	Dec. 19	Clinton +10%	Romney +12%
Michigan	Jan. 15	Nov. 13	Clinton +31%	Giuliani +3%
Nevada	Jan. 19	Dec. 6	Clinton +18%	Romney +3%
South Carolina	Jan. 26/19	Dec. 16	Clinton +4%	Huckabee +4%
Florida	Jan. 29	Dec 16.	Clinton +16%	Huckabee +2%

Be sure to check out and vote in MarxistGopher Poll #2 on the Iowa Caucuses!

Jill Sobule Writes the Wrongs: "We Are the Writers" Song

Just wanted to post this appearance of Jill Sobule on NPR where she sings her official protest song for the writers strike! Have a listen. It's super!

The Bryant Park Project, November 21, 2007 - Our music essayist ponders the plight of that Cyrano of the backlot, the nameless striking member of the Writers Guild walkout. The producers get all the glory, the stars get the fame and the writer makes do with doughnuts on the picket line.

And here's a few more to check out...

-Halloween song

-Thanksgiving song, One Turkey.

Iowa Caucuses Only 16 Days Away

Two new polls were released on the race in Iowa. A Research 200 poll showed a Barack Obama lead with 33%, and Hillary and Edwards both at 24%. However, a Financial Dynamics poll showed both Hillary and Obama at 27% with Edwards at 22%.

What this tells me is that it's basically a dead heat with a couple weeks to go. I think Hillary still has to be the favorite because of the machinery of the Democratic Party that will be behind her. Much like the way the machine came through fro Kerry in 2004 against the inexperienced Dean workers. The caucus system is fairly unpredictable because voters will switch to their second and third choices during the evening to make groups large enough for delegates. This is a good thing for John Edwards, as he seems to be the 2nd choice of many supporters of both Hillary and Obama.

It;s also very hard to get accurate poll numbers in a caucus state like Iowa. Only about 10-15% of eligible voters will actually show up on caucus night, making it nearly impossible to get accurate polling data. A lot can change in the next 2 weeks, but expect the winner in Iowa to shoot up in all the other states and become a front-runner that's very difficult to beat.

My prediction:
Hillary wins by a comfortable number, but Edwards comes in 2nd. Obama will finish a very disappointing 3rd, which could cripple his campaign.

Gophers land 3-star DT Jewhan Edwards

On Friday night, the Gopher Football team got their 25th recruit of the 2008 class with 3-star Philadelphia (Pa.) Roman Catholic defensive tackle Jewhan Edwards. Jewhan is a big man at 6-1, 338 lbs, and will no doubt be a 4 year presence on the Gophers defensive line. Edwards had offers from Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Virginia, West Virginia & UConn.

Here's the Gophers 2008 recruiting class so far:

Brandon Green	WR		6-0	167	-	5.8		Chicago, IL
Vincent Hill	WR		6-0	190	-	5.8		New Berlin, NY
Sam Maresh	LB		6-2	240	4.7	5.8		Champlin, MN
David Pittman	ATH		5-11	195	4.6	5.8		Pasadena, CA
Traye Simmons	DB		5-11	175	4.4	5.8		Visalia, CA
Spencer Reeves	LB		6-1	193	4.5	5.7		Dallas, TX
Jewhan Edwards	DT		6-1	338	5.59	5.6		Philadelphia , PA
Eric Lair	TE		6-3	210	4.56	5.6		Houston, TX
Simoni Lawrence	DB		6-1	207	4.45	5.6		Upper Darby, PA
Rex Sharpe	LB		6-3	245	4.5	5.6		Yuma, AZ
Tramaine Brock	DB		6-0	180	4.5	5.5		Perkinston, MS
Jonathan Dandridge	DB		6-1	175	4.48	5.5		Detroit, MI
Roszell Gayden	OL		6-7	285	5.2	5.5		Robbinsdale, MN
Brandon Kirksey	DE		6-3	250	-	5.5		St. Louis, MO
Shady Salamon	RB		5-10	175	4.55	5.5		St. Paul, MN
Gary Tinsley	LB		6-1	220	4.6	5.5		Jacksonville, FL
Xzavian Brandon	WR		6-2	170	4.48	5.4		Atlanta, GA
Terrell Combs	ATH		6-2	252	4.53	5.4		Lexington, KY
Ryan Grant	LB		6-1	215	-	5.4		Eden Prairie, MN
Maurice Greer	RB		5-11	205	4.53	5.4		Garden City, KS
John Nance	ATH		6-4	185	-	5.4		St. Paul, MN
Troy Stoudermire	ATH		5-10	163	4.5	5.4		Dallas, TX
D.L. Wilhite	ATH		6-4	235	-	5.4		Lexington, KY
DaJon McKnight	DB		6-3	190	-	5.3		Dallas, TX
Johnny Johnson	DB		5-9	170	-	5.0		Chicago, IL