Oh Maryland, My Maryland

MARYLAND
It would seem to all Maryland residents that Lt. Governor Michael Steele is the obvious GOP nominee for the U.S. Senate. All Maryland resident except, however, Michael Steele. When newspaper reporters asked when he would be making his announcement, he replied "What announcement?" If I were Michael Steele, I would go ahead and run. I would rather lose running for a higher office than run for re-election and lose.
VIRGINIA
State Delegate Bill Carrico (R-Fries) has announced he is going to challenge longterm incumbent Congressman Rick Boucher (D-Abingdon). Carrico said God had led him to the decision and would guide him to victory. Boucher is currently serving his 12th term, and will only be 60 years old in 2006. A word of advice to Bill Carrico; Congressmen are five times more likely to die in office than to lose re-election.
WEST VIRGINIA
An internal poll by the West Virginia Republican Party shows their likely 2006 Senate nominee, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-Charleston) losing to incumbent Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-Sophia) by 10 percentage points, with another nine "undecided but leaning Byrd." This should be a sign to Capito that Byrd is unbeatable. For information sake, Robert Byrd is 87 years old, first elected to the Senate in 1958, to the U.S. House in 1946, and anuually brings billions of dollars in funds to the state. West Virginia's biggest source of revenue is the West Virginia Turnpike, which is a state toll road. When Byrd was elected to Congress 59 years ago, there were NO PAVED ROADS IN THE ENTIRE STATE. Let me go ahead and congradulate Senator Byrd on his re-election.
Ok folks, that's it for now. Off to bed.

Site Upgrades, Part Deux

I've added a list of candidates I'm supporting in 2006 with a link to contribute money to their campaigns. It would be great if everybody would make some donations to these worthy causes. Also, there's word that two World War II-era Japanese soldiers hiding in the jungles of the Phillippines. They've been hiding for sixty-some years and are both in their eighties. The Japanese Embassy had arranged a meeting with them, but didn't show up for it, fearing court-martial for desserting (keep in mind, in the 1940's). They are to attend a meeting in the near future. I believe they should not be charged with a court martial since its been so long.
Finished 11th grade!!!! Well, actually I will on the 31st of May. But close enough. I went and got my schedule and I have eight classes (There are only seven periods in a day, mind you). How did I manage that? Oh well, it'll all come out in the wash.
Adios. To Wal-Mart we go!

The World Has Lost a Fireball

JIMMY MARTIN
1927-2005
Jimmy Martin was the King of Bluegrass music. He died today (May 14th) at age 77 from bladder cancer. I had the great honor of meeting him seeing him perform in 2004 here in Bristol. There are few singers I love, and I loved this man. He was a great person and I talked to him several times through e-mail also, but not since he had been ill. May God be with his family. At least now he's home in Heaven. The Circle is Unbroken.

Another Quick Update

Oh y'all I forgot to to tell about what's been going on..
Our SWAC team came in 2nd overall!! Just as good as last year. Only this year we didn't get screwed out of first..
I came in 4th Region-wide in the VHSL Debate competition held March 22nd at JSB. I competed in the Student Congress division.
On April 15th and 16th, I came in 5th State-wide in the VHSL competition held at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Once again, I was in Student Congress.
I'm running for Vice President of the John Battle SCA. I've got a tough opponent, but we've all got our fingers crossed.

!NEAL 2005!
BATTLE NEEDS A BUDDY

How does that grab you? Well, I liked it...
Ok, that's all for now.
Adios.

Wow! Lots to catch up on!

Dang. How long has it been y'all?
Lets start with the Senate races in 2006.
MARYLAND
Senator Paul Sarbanes (D), who was first elected in 1976, recently announced he wouldn't run for re-election. Sarbanes, 72, would have been a safe bet for re-election. The early frontrunner for his seat is former Congressman and NAACP Chairman Kweisi Mfume (D). Another potential Democrat is Congressman Chris Van Hollen, who defeated longtime incumbent Congresswoman Connie Morella in 2002. The Republicans are rallying around Lt. Governor Michael Steele. Mfume is favored in this heavily Democratic state. Off hand, I think the last time a Republican won an open Maryland seat would have been 1968 with Charles M. Mathias.
VERMONT
In the big surprise announcement of the year (so far), liberal Senator Jim Jeffords (I) announced he would retire, citing his wife's bout with cancer and his own health problems. Jeffords is currently 71 years old and likely in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease. In 2001, Jeffords declared his independence from the Republican party and caucused with the Democrats, briefly giving Democrats a majority. Socialist Congressman Bernie Sanders, who is officialy an Indeopendent caucusing with the Democrats, is the obvious frontrunner. He all but announced his candidacy within an hour of Jeffords' announcement. The Democrats will probably not field a candidate and back Sanders. The GOP will hope to recruit Governor Jim Douglas. This race would favor Sanders heavily, with his history of re-elections well above 60%.
SITE UPGRADES
Okay, let me point out that I've added a daily quote and a link to Tim Kaine's website. I strongly suggest everyone visit it.