Felons and Filings

Tilton, NH -

The shit hit the fan today, as the official filing period began for candidates wishing to have their names placed on the New Hampshire ballot. The first to show up, not surprisingly, was Robert Haines, the now four-time candidate who can be seen frequently on the streets of Manchester. In addition to Haines, another Republican filed today, Jack Shepard, who happens to be a fugitive from the law. It just goes to show that in the world of Presidential politics, we are never too far removed from Richard Nixon and Lyndon LaRouche. Ahh, La Rouche, such fond memories.

Hsu's Yer Daddy?

The story coming out of California about the Paw family and all levels of shadiness surrounding HillRaiser and Dem super bundler Norman Hsu is interesting, indeed. The latest, for those who haven't heard, is that the WSJ has reported that a family of seven living in a tiny house in San Francisco, whose head makes a $49,000 postal worker's salary, has given more than $200k to Hillary Rodham Clinton and various other New York Democrats in the past three years. Oh yeah, did I mention that this family happens to have ties with Hsu? Apparently he once listed his address as the one where the Paws are living now.

It gets fishier. Pressed for comment, Hsu's attorney immediately played the race card: "There is no factual support for this story and if Mr. Hsu's name was Smith or Jones, I don't believe it would be a story."

Whoa, don't get defensive or anything. Now the LA Times has reported that Hsu is a fugitive from the law, for the crime of grand theft in a business scheme involving latex gloves and a million dollars! Did I mention he's a HillRaiser, and she ain't giving the money back? It starts with the war, it moves to fundraising, imagine the hubris from an oval office setting! Say what you will about Mitt Romney sprinting away from Mr. Craig, at least he claims to support a level of proper dignity for our elected officials. I'm not trying to be too harsh on Clinton, I'm just saying that Norm Hsu maybe has some questionable judgment. We'll see where this goes, but it stinks of heavy ammo for general election attacks to me.

Lewd Dudes

Busted! Another Republican gay-boy. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I just wonder where he stands on the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. A wide stance while shitting? Riiiight. More like a self-hate stance while voting.

Love Song for the Dearly Departed, or, Dude Where's My Freedom?

The following content has nothing to do with politics. If you are strictly here for a NH Primary Fix, go read the Post and come back tomorrow.

10:00 PM on a Sunday and the chirping of the crickets covers the window's breeze like the blanket on my lap. Gin & Tonics go down smooth tonight. Smooth like a soul record; Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Solomon Burke. I'm leaving the Quabbin soon, we're talking two or three days soon, and the taste in my mouth is bitter beyond the lime and tonic. Smooth and bitter. I guess there needs to be a balance in all things.

I have recently come back from a voyage to the North. Kanc Country, where the mountain faces are rocky, the rivers are refreshing, and the tourists are growing by the hundreds each year. Soon enough it will be just another Vermont, minus the fair trade coffee shops. How unfortunate. Worse still is the increase in police activity. My biggest beef in New Hampshire, to be quite honest, is the police presence.

Considering that the state purports to have the motto, "Live Free or Die," I have been surprisingly hassled by cops from various New Hampshire small towns more than in any other state. Whether it was a warrantless field sobriety test in Litchfield in 2003 after watching John Kerry in Portsmouth because I was "hugging the white line" or witnessing an associate of mine questioned and having his license run simply for walking on the sidewalk trying to work his game with a ladyfriend. This must stop. Worse still, I was arrested a few days ago for merely swimming in a river. Yes, God's own semen stream, the Pemigewasset.

The local Swine rapped me with a knuckle-busting charge of Disorderly Conduct, and gave no reasoning for their charge. Presumptions aside I was forced to tell the young Farva-like deputy, whose fecklessness toward the law was on disgusting display, that I would save any questions I had for the judge.

To Be Continued...

In the Meantime, here is my soulful, pensive playlist for late August. Forgive the lack of artist diversity. And do put it on shuffle.

Nothing Can Change This Love - Sam Cooke
I'll Come Running Back to You - Sam Cooke
If Not for You (Bootleg Session w/ George Harrison) - Bob Dylan
That's How Strong My Love Is - Otis Redding
These Arms of Mine - Otis Redding
Which Way Does That Old Pony Run - Lyle Lovett
To Find a Friend - Tom Petty
The Letter - Natalie Merchant
If You're Feeling Sinister - Belle & Sebastian
Funny How Time Slips Away - Willie Nelson
Soul Love - David Bowie
Cry to Me - Solomon Burke
Cypress Avenue - Van Morrison
Opportunity to Cry (Crazy Demo Session) - Willie Nelson
One More Kiss Before I Go - Ryan Adams

and you can end any mix with ...
Electrolyte - R.E.M.
if you ever want to fly
Mulholland Drive.
I am alive.

Hollywood is under me.
I'm Martin Sheen
I'm Steve McQueen
I'm Jimmy Dean

If you want to fly.
Mulholland Drive.
Up in the sky.
Stand on a cliff and look down there.
Don't be scared, you are alive.
You are alive.

Seagal's FBI Beef

I know this has nothing to do with the campaign trail, but did you ever wonder why Steven Seagal's career dropped so precipitously in the last six years? Certainly, you did. So did I. I'm sure a little bit of weight gain and diversification into music and energy drinks played a role, but according to Seagal it was actually the FBI! The LA Times reports that Seagal has finally spoken out about a plot by the FBI to implicate him in an intimidation scheme and tie him to the mob. Lies! All lies!

Anyway, its kinda F*ed up. Think about it, Seagal starts making films about being a badass out for social and environmental justice, often where he battles GOVERNMENT and establishment corruption and next thing you know he is being squashed by the higher ups. If you were the government and Steven Seagal were coming after you, wouldn't you be scared? It's a no-brainer. You can take that to the bank...the blood bank. I believe you, Steven.

More Crooks

This time from the Romney camp (again), More Crooks!

This guy's only a bundler, and not an actual staffer. But hey, you swim in the "water of filth" that surrounds you. This begs the question - what is worse, swindling millions and impersonating an officer, or a little bit of innocent and educational cuss words porno? Well, we know which path leads to success at any rate. Priorities, priorities.Publish Post

Corruption's Last Frontier

Give 'em the boot!

I know this has nothing to do with the 2008 Presidential election, but yesterday's news that Alaska Senator Ted Stevens' home was being raided by the Feds to investigate the taking of bribes from VECO Corporation in cahoots with his son brought a little warmth to Quabbin Qountry (and how! It's like 95 today). Turns out that Alaska Congressman Don Young is the focus of a similar investigation for taking bribes from the same corporation as his colleague.

Keep in mind, this is the same state where outgoing Senator Frank Murkowski (in a seat he wrestled away from Mike Gravel on Reagan's 1980 coattails) appointed his daughter Lisa to his expiring seat when he was elected governor in 2002. He appointed his daughter!

Now Stevens, you will recollect, is the same schmuck who tried to hijack a Hurricane Katrina relief and Iraq troop appropriations bill by attaching a provision to open drilling in ANWR. The tactic was so slimy that even Joe Liebermann voted against the funding! Senator Ted also developed a fierce rivalry with Senator Maria Cantwell over ANWR, and brought his sleazy gang down to Seattle to fundraise for Mike McGavick's unsuccessful bid to unseat her. Now I'm no huge fan of Cantwell, but the chutzpah that Stevens showed in waltzing down the Gulf of Alaska into Puget Sound country was abominable. I don't think your Incredible Hulk tie will help you now, Steve-o.