Meet the Lazy Bum

That was me yesterday. Monday night, I saw Rush on their 30th anniversary tour. I got home late, then slept way too long yesterday since I had a day off. With Reagan's death filling up just about all the news time I wasn't inspired. Add to that yesterday's weather (warm and humid), and I shifted into lazy bum mode. To top it off, I watched the entire Brewers-Angels game that went to 17 innings. I should be in bed, but I didn't want any of you to think I vanished off the face of the earth. Expect a (probably short) Kerry's House of Ketchup this evening.

"Rush Delivers Fine-Tuned Show of the Classics"

"U.N. Endorses Transfer of Iraq Sovereignty"

"A Long Night's Journey . . ."

 Quack!

Here's a post about ducks, and it has nothing to do with Howard Dean.

"Caution -- Duck-Blogging Ahead!"

 Kerry on Reagan

Sen. John Kerry has suspended campaigning for a week because of Ronald Reagan's death. He also had some wonderful things to say about the 40th President:

Free men and women everywhere will forever remember and honor President Reagan's role in ending the Cold War. He really did believe that communism could be ended in his lifetime, and he helped to make it happen.

Perhaps President Reagan's greatest monument isn't any building or any structure that bears his name, but the absence of the Berlin Wall.

Because of the way he led, he taught us that there was a difference between strong beliefs and bitter partisanship. in the face of new challenges, President Reagan's example reminds us that we must move forward with optimism and resolve.

There is also this statement from yesterday:

Ronald Reagan's love of country was infectious. Even when he was breaking Democrats hearts, he did so with a smile and in the spirit of honest and open debate. Despite the disagreements, he lived by that noble ideal that at 5pm we weren't Democrats or Republicans, we were Americans and friends. President Reagan and Tip O'Neill fought hard and honorably on many issues, and sat down together to happily swap jokes and the stories of their lives. The differences were real, but because of the way President Reagan led, he taught us that there is a big difference between strong beliefs and bitter partisanship.

He was the voice of America in good times and in grief. When we lost the brave astronauts in the Challenger tragedy, he reminded us that, ‘Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue.’

Now, his own journey has ended-a long and storied trip that spanned most of the American century-and shaped one of the greatest victories of freedom. Today in the face of new challenges, his example reminds us that we must move forward with optimism and resolve. He was our oldest president, but he made America young again.

Our prayers are with his family, and the wife he loved in a way all the world could see. And to the end, she loved him with courage and complete devotion. She helped all of us better understand the cruel disease that took him away before it took his life, and what we must do to prevent and cure it.

Teresa and I and our family extend our deepest sympathies to Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family. Today, from California to Maine - ‘from sea to shining sea’ - Americans will bow their heads in prayer and gratitude that President Reagan left such an indelible stamp on the nation he loved.

Very classy.

"Kerry Suspends Campaign Events in Honor of Reagan"

 Missed Opportunity

To remember Ronald Reagan, his death, and what he did for his country, I planned on getting a copy of today's NY Times assuming its front page would be full of stories about his death, his accomplishments, and his place in history. For some reason, the paper had nothing about Reagan's death on the front page. Instead, coverage is in Monday's paper. It was late afternoon Saturday that he passed away, but the Times couldn't find a way to get that huge story in for the Grey Lady's midwest readers by Sunday morning?

To the Times' credit its obituary of Reagan is the longest one I can recall.

"Ronald Reagan Dies at 93; Fostered Cold-War Might and Curbs on Government"

 Ronald Reagan, R.I.P.

Here's one way to remember Ronald Reagan:

And here's another:

The first picture is Reagan as the embodiment of America. He's weathered, a man who's been working on his land. He looks like he's had his share of a good day's work. The denim jacket is like what you'd see anybody in the West wearing. The grin on his face is that of the optimist. He's a man who looks at the bright side of events and people. Reagan lifted America's spirits when it needed it the most.

The second picture shows Reagan's playful side. He never took himself too seriously. The times he made a self-deprecating remark are legion.

Like all people, Ronald Reagan was more complicated than these two pictures suggest. But they are iconic of Reagan as ordinary American and jovial soul.

Today is the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. To honor Reagan and the men who risked their lives to save civilization read Reagan's speeches he gave at the 40th anniversary.

"Remarks at a Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, D-Day (Pointe De Hoc)"

"Remarks at a United States-France Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, D-Day"

 TAM in NYC?

It's quite possible since the GOP is doing the smart thing and letting webloggers witness first-hand the political circus that is their political convention. They'll be protesters outside and bored media types inside. Webloggers will be there for a unique take on it all. It will be more than covering the convention. It will be covering the coverage. It will be umpteen (who knows how many credentials they'll give webloggers?) independent observers noting items that strike their interest. Heck, imagine an edition of Kerry's House of Ketchup live from Madison Square Garden? Ooo! I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it.

"Bloggers Count!"

 Just Following the Rules

I'm sure the Bojangles resturant has a "no shirt, no shoes, no service" policy.

"Police Look for Naked Drive-Through Patron"

 Debt Easing from Down Under

All of Iraq's lenders should realize that letting Saddam's debt hand over the country's head will only stifle the economy and prevent a free Iraq from taking root. Because of that, I appauld the Australian government for declaring that it will be "writing off the vast majority of Iraq’s debt."

I'll celebrate with an upcoming purchase of a nice Australian wine.

"Australia Writes Off Iraqi Debt"

 Must Mend Fences

I'm not sure what President Bush can do to regain the trust of limited government conservative and libertarian voters. I'm supporting the President because I think he'll do a better job in fighting the war, and I strongly support his tax policies. I've cringed every time he's signed a spending bill that expands the government, but if Kerry were in office taxes would be higher, he wouldn't be as tough in fighting the war, and government would be expanding.

In politics, the perfect is the enemy of the good. On the domestic side, other than taxes, Bush hasn't even been that good. However, he's better than the alternative. It's not a ringing endorsement, but it's enough to get to work really hard for Bush's reelection.

"Some Big Conservative Donors, Unhappy With Bush, Say They Won't Back His Campaign"

 1000 Pages!

That's the length of President Bill Clinton's memoir My Life. I guess since Random House paid him at least $10 million they couldn't find any more money in the budget for an editor. This may resemble his State of the Union speeches where he just went on and on and on. Other than a Clinton devotee who's going to sit down and read every single page? You just know many will get their book and jump right to all the Ken Starr/Monica Lewinski stuff.

One other thing, who launches a book tour before the book is even out? I can understand going on television a day or two before the books released, but over two weeks?

The big book I'll be digging into later this summer is Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton. He stopped by my store a few weeks ago, and he was kind, generous, and excited about his subject as well as the attention the store's staff was lavishing him with.

"Bill Clinton Launches Book Tour for My Life"

UPDATE: Now, I know why Clinton is hawking the book so far in advance. He was speaking at BookExpo in Chicago. That the book industry's big trade show.

UPDATE II: In the NY Times' story it reports that there actually was an editor on the project. One thing Robert Gottlieb stopped Clinton from doing is writing an extended section on the President's love of the movie High Noon. As to the length of the book, Clinton himself thinks of it as two books.

 What a Party

Add the tooth fairy to the Libertarian Party Hall of Shame. Just don't forget founding members Blue Skin Man and Ferret Dude.

[via PrestoPundit]

 In Manchester's Footsteps

William Manchester died this week. Along with writing biographies of JFK, he was known for writing a popular multi-volume bio of William Churchill, The Last Lion. Two volumes were finished, and Manchester had started the third one before strokes prevented further progress. The question for Manchester's fans is "Who will finish the project?" Steven Zeitchik has the answer.

"An Unfinished Life"

 Kerry's House of Ketchup #14

Kerry speaks.

Welcome to the latest edition of Kerry's House of Ketchup mildly admonished by Glenn Reynolds.

Memorial Day is the unoffical start of summer. The weather gets warmer, school's out, and outdoor activities and vacations are scheduled. Conventional wisdom says people will turn off from watching the election battle. That's only partially true. When you're at the beach working on your tan, wizzing through Disney World with your kids, or contemplating the proper tactic in landing a lunker walleye the last thing you'll want to think about is what Sen. John Kerry or President George W. Bush thinks about the Patriot Act. However, I don't think that many people have been turned onto the election even before the summer started. The President's poll numbers have been sinking due to events in Iraq. Kerry hasn't taken advantage of those faltering numbers. He has a lead in most polls and a bigger lead in the more important electoral vote count. It is interesting to note traders in the Iowa Electronic Markets aren't sold on Kerry yet.

More importantly, Kerry is having trouble with important parts of his base. Some anti-warriors haven't committed to him. Instead, they're with Ralph Nader. There is tension with minority groups because Kerry's staff isn't diverse enough. With the election close, energizing one's core supporters will be the key to victory.

Ex-editor of the NY Times Howell Raines comes to rescue with an op-ed that denigrates all who have voted for President Bush. They're "greedy" and "deluded." Raines' advice is to get a message even if it's "disinformation" then "say it over and over again."

HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson went for the ketchup humor (that Glenn Reynolds is tired of) with this from last week's Wisconsin GOP convention:

"I know one thing about this man -- he knows who he is," Thompson said of Bush. "He is one tough dude." Bush's vision "stands in stark contrast to the 57 varieties of John Kerry."

Finally, a publisher's note. During the week of 06.20, I will be on vacation in an undisclosed location far away from Dick Cheney. No Net access means I won't be able to publish a KHoK. If some intrepid weblogger wants to fill in for me, I'd really appreciate it. Just leave a comment or send off an e-mail.

Now, onto the posts.

• On the above mentioned Raines piece Captain Ed lets loose.
  

• By giving Kerry some advice on gun control, Matthew Yglesias ends up insulting rural pro-gun types.

• Joanne Jacobs finds Kerry may be giving in to teachers union pressure on pay-for-performance.
  

• Democrat Mayor of Chicago Richard Daley wasn't pleased with Kerry's "training wheels" remark.
  

• Steve Verdon isn't impressed with Kerry's energy plan.

• Kerry doesn't see the spread of democracy (I'd call it regimes of liberty) as an American priority. James Joyner notes that Bush isn't shoving freer governments down the throats of Saudi Arabia or Pakistan. The California Yankee rebuts Kerry's view.
  

• Daniel Drezner points out that to help Kerry flesh out his foreign policy bigger is better.
  

• Hindrocket at Power Line looks at Kerry's possible move to Bush's right on the Islamist War.

• For the wonks among us here's a post on a Kerry health insurance idea.

• Kerry's says, "We rushed off to war." LisaS replies, "A rush to war he says. How many times did they try to enforce resolutions on Saddam's Iraq and for how many years? Here's a hint: You [need] more than two hands to count them."

• "Let America Be America Again" is the Kerry campaign's slogan. It's from a Langston Hughes poem. The line looks mildly bland out of context, but the poem as a whole is quite an angry, depressing read.
  

• Ryan Lizza of The New Republic points out that a "senior Kerry advisor" hasn't been paying attention to what the candidate has been saying.
  

• Kerry's calling in the Democrats' big gun, Bill Clinton. [via Viking Pundit]
  

• This past weekend, Rolling Thunder, Harley-riding Vietnam vets roared into Washington, D.C. and endorsed President Bush.
  

• Ralph Nader is pulling more voters from Kerry than Bush. Who, other than Nader, thought otherwise?
  

• Note the source, but Kerry flipped off a jackass Vietnam vet.

• Kerry appears to have the strip club vote.
  

• Gather the family and play a wholesome game of Kerryopoly. [via Betsy's Page]

Join in the fun by linking to the House of Ketchup. If you have an MT-powered weblog, just trackback to this post, and it will appear below. If your weblog software is incapable of trackbacks use Kevin's Trackback Form.

[Thanks go to the John F. Kerry Media Relations Center for the Sen. Zoop's "voice."]

 Hot Stuff

PoliBlog is hosting this week's Bonfire of the Vanities.

 Life is Good

Big Head Todd and the Monsters will be in Milwaukee 08.01.

 Red Alert

Because of high milk prices Steve Silver calls for the invasion of Wisconsin. All able bodied men grab your guns and appropriate headgear. After the initial strike, expect an incursion from the west. Those Minnesotans are jealous that the Pack leads the Vikings in Lombardi Trophies 3-1 3-0 [Vikings fans can never say I was never nice to them--Ed.] Also, prepare for guerilla operations by FIB strike teams. They're everywhere since those flatlanders use our fine state as their summer backyard. If we get overrun, fall back to Green Bay where we'll make our last stand in Lambeau Field. In the words of Vince Lombardi, "Winning isn't everything. It's the only thing."

"It’s All OMEC’s Fault"