The Loons Gather in New Mexico

Wilson is “too moderate.” No one will be more conservative unless they’re on the “loon right,” which is “like coming back around on the left.” (Yes, they’re so conservative their liberal!) It’s going to be great fun watching Republicans shoot each other in the foot in 2012.

Attacking Wilson as ‘moderate-type,’ Sanchez says he’ll decide on Senate run soon | New Mexico Independent

Sanchez also was dismissive of the tea party movement, saying, “I don’t necessarily need to be the Tea Party candidate.” He did say that he agreed with tea party positions like smaller government and less taxes.

Attacking Wilson as ‘moderate-type,’ Sanchez says he’ll decide on Senate run soon | New Mexico Independent

Sowards: ‘There will be no one to my right’ in GOP primary | New Mexico Independent

“There will be no one to my right, and I believe the other candidates are more conglomerated around the moderate area,” Sowards said, according to David Cantanes. “I don’t see how anyone would get between me and conservative principles. They can go to the loon right, which is, as far as I’m concerned, like coming back around on the left.”

Sowards also said that Pearce supporters had told him they would oppose a second Senate run from the Republican congressman.

Sowards: ‘There will be no one to my right’ in GOP primary | New Mexico Independent

Sowards sells himself as the conservative candidate | NMPolitics.net

Sowards has run for federal office twice in the past, without success; however, with the growth of the tea party movement, he appears to be getting a closer look from some influential groups this time around. He also recently got a prominent mention in an investors.com article.

One of Sowards’ missions is to keep U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., out of the race.

Sowards sells himself as the conservative candidate | NMPolitics.net

Poems

Billy

Tue 03/22/11 mjh

Happy Birthday, Billy Collins! Time to re-read On Turning Ten, Forgetfulness or The Country (bottom of that page). Collins is one of my favorite poets — perhaps he and Frost share #2 and there is no #1 for me (though I could hardly imagine poets more different than Frost and Collins).

Time to trot out my tribute to Collins (for Merri):

Billy

It doesn’t seem the least bit odd
that all the members of the orchestra
are dogs.
Some in tuxedos,
some in black gowns,
sitting, waiting — good dogs! –
for the conductor
to raise a long meaty bone.
Some clear their throats,
some drool,
none look away for a moment.

It doesn’t seem the least bit odd
that everyone in the audience
is in a tutu.
Men and women dressed for the
ballet, though this is a concert,
each holding a pen and pad
planning to pounce
to snatch some new idea.
As if Beethoven for Dogs
weren’t enough.

It doesn’t seem the least bit odd
in the end
when the conductor puts down his baton,
most of the meat shaken off
to the delight of the First Chair.
He turns and bows
and then I recognize him:
the poet laureate,
the old dog himself. _mjh

8/13/02

PS: Frost’s birthday is 3/26/1874.

NADA - New American Dark Ages

Remember the Republicans’ Priorities in 2012

Tue 03/22/11 mjh

– The NPR ’emergency’ by Dana Milbank

House Republicans called an "emergency meeting" last week, suspending the usual procedures to rush an urgent piece of legislation to the floor.

Had the new majority finally come up with a job-creation bill? A compromise with Democrats to rein in the deficit?

Not quite. This particular emergency involved the lower end of the FM-radio dial. Republicans, in an urgent budget-cutting maneuver, were voting to cut off funding for National Public Radio. All $5 million of it – or one ten-thousandth of 1 percent of the federal budget.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office ran the numbers and calculated the impact this emergency measure would have on government spending: "No effect."

Five minutes after acting on this “budgetary emergency,” House Republicans voted to continue the war in Afghanistan – which costs about $10 billion. Per month. They then flew home for a vacation. [mjh: quotes added]

– The NPR ’emergency’

!status updates, QOTD