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.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Friday, April 22, 2005
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.
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.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
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.
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.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
SWAC Update
Thursday night was our SWAC match at Virginia High. Here's how the scores went...
ENGLISH...John Battle (45)...Virginia High (60) Loss.
MATH...John Battle (20)...Virginia High (70) Loss. {To Danielle: If you had spoken up, we would have got 70 points! :)}
SCIENCE...John Battle (50)...Virginia High (55) Loss.
SOCIAL STUDIES...John Battle (60)...Virginia High (50) WIN!!!
ALL AROUND...John Battle (45)...Virginia High (35) WIN!!!
Well, hey, 2 out of 5 ain't bad, but I'm hoping the teams will continue to improve and after Monday's match against Patrick Henry I'll be saying 4 out of 5, or 5 out of 5.
Congratulations to..
Social Studies Team...
Yours Sincerely (Captain)
Justin (Captain Pro Tempore)
Scotty (up both rounds)
Bobby (up first round)
Thomas (up second round)
And Congratulations to Danielle. You prettied up the whole Math team! :)
Ok, quick politics stuff..
PENNSYLVANIA
All in one day, three candidates have entered the race for U.S. Senate in 2006. Dr. Chuck Pennacchio, and State Treasurer Bob Casey, Jr. Casey is considered the front-runner, and is the only one polling higher than incumbent Senator Rick Santorum (R).
COLORADO
Getting a BIG jump on everyone else, Congressman Mark Udall (D) has announced he will be a candidate for U.S. Senate...in 2008. The incumbent, Senator Wayne Allard, made a campaign promise in 1996 to only serve two terms, which would put his career at an end in 2008. Whether Allard stands by his promise is yet to be seen.
Ok, that's all for now. I think I'll go watch a Hee Haw DVD.
ENGLISH...John Battle (45)...Virginia High (60) Loss.
MATH...John Battle (20)...Virginia High (70) Loss. {To Danielle: If you had spoken up, we would have got 70 points! :)}
SCIENCE...John Battle (50)...Virginia High (55) Loss.
SOCIAL STUDIES...John Battle (60)...Virginia High (50) WIN!!!
ALL AROUND...John Battle (45)...Virginia High (35) WIN!!!
Well, hey, 2 out of 5 ain't bad, but I'm hoping the teams will continue to improve and after Monday's match against Patrick Henry I'll be saying 4 out of 5, or 5 out of 5.
Congratulations to..
Social Studies Team...
Yours Sincerely (Captain)
Justin (Captain Pro Tempore)
Scotty (up both rounds)
Bobby (up first round)
Thomas (up second round)
And Congratulations to Danielle. You prettied up the whole Math team! :)
Ok, quick politics stuff..
PENNSYLVANIA
All in one day, three candidates have entered the race for U.S. Senate in 2006. Dr. Chuck Pennacchio, and State Treasurer Bob Casey, Jr. Casey is considered the front-runner, and is the only one polling higher than incumbent Senator Rick Santorum (R).
COLORADO
Getting a BIG jump on everyone else, Congressman Mark Udall (D) has announced he will be a candidate for U.S. Senate...in 2008. The incumbent, Senator Wayne Allard, made a campaign promise in 1996 to only serve two terms, which would put his career at an end in 2008. Whether Allard stands by his promise is yet to be seen.
Ok, that's all for now. I think I'll go watch a Hee Haw DVD.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Decisions, Decisions...
SWAC!!!
Today (March 3rd) is our first SWAC match; we had one on February 28th, but it was cancelled because of snow. We're playing the city team, and I'm Captain. Woo hoo! Pray for me, y'all.
TN SENATE
Well, thus far, Harold Ford (D-Memphis) is still the only Democrat to have entered the race. Former Congressman Ed Bryant (R) has the highest name recognition according to a poll by a state newspaper. Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker has the highest negative name recognition, but is the leading alternative to Congressman Bryant. Hmmm...Not good for the TNGOP.
DECISIONS DECISIONS
I called my late-night post by this name because of my little personal strife I'm having in my decision on whom to support for offices in my home state of Virginia. On one hand, I want to support State Senator Phillip P. Puckett (D-Lebanon) for Lt. Governor because (A) I once lived in Lebanon, (B) He is one of my Papaw's old friends from his {Papaw's} farming days, (C) He was Principal of Lebanon High School when my Mom went there and Principal of Oak Grove Elementary when my aunt went there, (D) He's Vice President of the Bank we have most of our money in, and (D) He's an all-around nice guy. On the other hand, I want to support State Delegate J. Chapman Petersen (D-Fairfax for Lt. Governor because (A) At 30, he is much younger than Puckett {58}, (B) He is the front-runner (C) His office is courting me more actively for my support, and (D) He may be more electable. What do you think I should do?
FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE
Here's a new feature; Music suggestions!!! Let me make for my first suggestion, "50 Years of Hits" By George Jones. This is a 3 CD compilation set of the reigning King of Country Music. THere are 50 songs; one from each of the past 50 years. The first, 1955's "Why Baby Why" all the way to the last, 2004's "Amazing Grace" show just how great a country singer the Possum really is. My personal favorites are, in this order:
1) Wild Irish Rose (1998) -- I picked this because it is a hauntingly beautiful and tragic song about a man who is sent to Asia (presumably Vietnam) and comes home insane. He is treated poorly, just like our nation's veterans are, and ends up dying drunk on the street. This is probably the best song on the entire album.
2) The Grand Tour (1974) -- This is one of my favorite Jones songs, because it tells the story of a man whose wife has left him, taken their child, left everything else, and obviously broken his heart. He seems to be trying to sell away all the memories of her, and in the process, hurting himself even more.
3) Still Doin' Time (1966) --This song tells the story of a man who has probably cheated on his wife, and is missing her a great amount and regretting what he has done. He says that he's doing time in a "honky tonk prison", possibly drinking his sorrow away. A great tragic love song.
4) Choices (1999) -- This is the sound track of the Possum's life. To an extent, it is probably the sound track to most of our lives. It was released just as he was almost killed in a car crash that turned his life around. Pretty powerful timing.
5) Radio Lover (1988) -- This is a sad song that kind of turns cheating on its ear. I won't ruin the story by telling you the ending, I will say its similar to "The Cold Hard Facts of Life" by Porter Wagoner, only much, much different.
6) You Couldn't Get The Picture (1991) --A Great play on Post-It Notes. What more can I say?
7) White Lightning (1959) -- This is a great party song about a good ole' boy who just loves runnin' that good ole' shine back in the North Carolina mountains.
8) The Race Is On (1964) -- A love song/horse race song. I'm sure no body had thought about this analogy until hearing this song. Ole Possum should have won a Grammy for this one, only the Grammys didn't particularly care for "Country and Western" music way back then.
9) He Stopped Loving Her Today (1980) -- I can't say anything about this song that hasn't already been said. I'll only say this much; This is THE greatest Country song of all time.
10) One (with Tammy Wynette) (1995) -- Reunite The President and First Lady and what do you get? One of the greatest love songs I've ever heard. And I think they mean't every word of it.
Okay, Im done. Off to bed.
Today (March 3rd) is our first SWAC match; we had one on February 28th, but it was cancelled because of snow. We're playing the city team, and I'm Captain. Woo hoo! Pray for me, y'all.
TN SENATE
Well, thus far, Harold Ford (D-Memphis) is still the only Democrat to have entered the race. Former Congressman Ed Bryant (R) has the highest name recognition according to a poll by a state newspaper. Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker has the highest negative name recognition, but is the leading alternative to Congressman Bryant. Hmmm...Not good for the TNGOP.
DECISIONS DECISIONS
I called my late-night post by this name because of my little personal strife I'm having in my decision on whom to support for offices in my home state of Virginia. On one hand, I want to support State Senator Phillip P. Puckett (D-Lebanon) for Lt. Governor because (A) I once lived in Lebanon, (B) He is one of my Papaw's old friends from his {Papaw's} farming days, (C) He was Principal of Lebanon High School when my Mom went there and Principal of Oak Grove Elementary when my aunt went there, (D) He's Vice President of the Bank we have most of our money in, and (D) He's an all-around nice guy. On the other hand, I want to support State Delegate J. Chapman Petersen (D-Fairfax for Lt. Governor because (A) At 30, he is much younger than Puckett {58}, (B) He is the front-runner (C) His office is courting me more actively for my support, and (D) He may be more electable. What do you think I should do?
FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE
Here's a new feature; Music suggestions!!! Let me make for my first suggestion, "50 Years of Hits" By George Jones. This is a 3 CD compilation set of the reigning King of Country Music. THere are 50 songs; one from each of the past 50 years. The first, 1955's "Why Baby Why" all the way to the last, 2004's "Amazing Grace" show just how great a country singer the Possum really is. My personal favorites are, in this order:
1) Wild Irish Rose (1998) -- I picked this because it is a hauntingly beautiful and tragic song about a man who is sent to Asia (presumably Vietnam) and comes home insane. He is treated poorly, just like our nation's veterans are, and ends up dying drunk on the street. This is probably the best song on the entire album.
2) The Grand Tour (1974) -- This is one of my favorite Jones songs, because it tells the story of a man whose wife has left him, taken their child, left everything else, and obviously broken his heart. He seems to be trying to sell away all the memories of her, and in the process, hurting himself even more.
3) Still Doin' Time (1966) --This song tells the story of a man who has probably cheated on his wife, and is missing her a great amount and regretting what he has done. He says that he's doing time in a "honky tonk prison", possibly drinking his sorrow away. A great tragic love song.
4) Choices (1999) -- This is the sound track of the Possum's life. To an extent, it is probably the sound track to most of our lives. It was released just as he was almost killed in a car crash that turned his life around. Pretty powerful timing.
5) Radio Lover (1988) -- This is a sad song that kind of turns cheating on its ear. I won't ruin the story by telling you the ending, I will say its similar to "The Cold Hard Facts of Life" by Porter Wagoner, only much, much different.
6) You Couldn't Get The Picture (1991) --A Great play on Post-It Notes. What more can I say?
7) White Lightning (1959) -- This is a great party song about a good ole' boy who just loves runnin' that good ole' shine back in the North Carolina mountains.
8) The Race Is On (1964) -- A love song/horse race song. I'm sure no body had thought about this analogy until hearing this song. Ole Possum should have won a Grammy for this one, only the Grammys didn't particularly care for "Country and Western" music way back then.
9) He Stopped Loving Her Today (1980) -- I can't say anything about this song that hasn't already been said. I'll only say this much; This is THE greatest Country song of all time.
10) One (with Tammy Wynette) (1995) -- Reunite The President and First Lady and what do you get? One of the greatest love songs I've ever heard. And I think they mean't every word of it.
Okay, Im done. Off to bed.
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