Arkansas Blog

Joe Klein a republican?

Joe Klein a republican?

$500 is pretty cheap for a Presidential event, but it's more than he's worth.

I wouldn't want Bush campaigning for me.

I wonder if FBI/CIA/Secret Service will track down those on the blog and monitor our whereabouts.

I'd hope some of you LR folks will form a peaceful protest, but what's the point. Don't you have to stay 2 miles away?

This is so funny! When a politician is weak or in trouble they always bring in one person after another to try and shore up the politicians piss poor record. That goes for both partys. In Asa case, I wonder who's next the Pope, I wonder if they will bring in larry, moe & curley before it's all over with.

It looks like ASA! would be proud to campaign with the President throughout the state rather than a private fundraiser.

I'm sorry to see Joe K. lowering himself so.

Yeah, poor Joe - having the President of the United States and the next Governor in his home - what a loser.

Riverdog--who's next for Beebe after Bill Clinton? Maybe Kofi Annan?

I'm glad the village idiot is coming to help. Asa's pretty weak if he lets the man that passed him over for promotion at homeland security come to help him. As for Joe Klein holding this clambake it just reminds me to eat my bar-b-q anywhere but Corky's

I said both parties are to blame! And both are to blame.

Well, I thought $500 was cheap for a sitting prez too. I was going to suggest we all pony up a bit of cash and send DBI to heckle, but that's probably not a good idea, is it? Max would have to bail him out of jail and neither of them would ever forgive us.

Anthrax Coulter would be a better draw for that side of the aisle. We could send DBI to see if her adam's apple is truly that big....

At least they are bring in current leaders of our country instead of past!!!

Say it aint so Joe. Maybe you are as dumb as you sound.

I actually defended your sorry a** when you got canned by Broyles.

Hope it isn't true.

if true, this DOES suck. a rumor has persisted for awhile on some of the message boards that beebe would force the UA to play asu if elected (like we don't have plenty of real issues to address)...true or not, a high profile Hog hosting that joke of a fundraiser will not help.

Ugh...and Southern Cal still hasn't come to town.

I imagine our local hotels will have an increase in occupancy on that day. Such an appropriate follow up post. Asa and George, nothing but a little neo man love folks, move along. Do ya think George will get to slice the hog?

How can I get tickets? It might be the best $500 I ever spent. I've given that much to MoveOn, etc. but never had the pleasure of calling him a liar to his face.

In Asa case, I wonder who's next the Pope, I wonder if they will bring in larry, moe & curley before it's all over with.

He has. This one is Curley. Larry and Moe already been here. Didn't help Asa's numbers, still in decline.
Lets see if you take Bush's 33% approval and Asa's 46% add and average them Voila!
Almost 40 percent!.

Well, shit, there goes the neighborhood. I live a few doors down from the gates to Joe's high dollar neighborhood.

Bet I won't be able to get home that day.

Roland..don't even think about it. They don't want or need your money. It would be a hot check from you anyway. (non working, lazy, non tax paying socialist) Your kind would not be welcome and you would never get in.

If Big Joe is supporting that lobbyist/thief/philandering, I won't be going to Corky's anymore.

Thanks to Joe Klein for hosting this function. He is to be honored for what he is doing for us. Of course Joe is a Republican. He doesn't want you theiving savages (a.k.a. Demolibs) to steal half his assets from his estate someday in the form of the DEATH TAX.. He wants to take care of his kids unlike you people. It will be a great fundraiser and we will be there.

hey Jess, Corky's won't miss your business. Klein will have ALL of west Little Rock's business now. He doen't need any cheap business from Hillcrest & Quapaw.

I can see the fundraiser now. Everybody wearing name tags that say "Anonymous"

It's usually an honor to say you have had a sitting president in your house. But Joe will get to say he's had the worst president of the modern era in his.

But at least Joe won't be the supidest person there.

Anon, I'm west LR too. Not all greedy Republicans out here, thank God.

Betcha $10 Big Joe doesn't add a picture of him, Howdy Doody, and ASA! the crook to the wall at Corky's.

Joe is a good guy. Great neighbor. But not only the greedy live on Hickory Hills Circle. For you money grubbers going to the fundraiser, you'll notice my house by the Beebe sign in the front yard.

Juliana nailed it. You go, girl...er, ma'am.

Republicans may be greedy, but don't forget that they are mean too.

And, ASA!, wow. The worst of the worst.

Who is going to start the CORKY'S BOYCOTT??

I don't appreciate ASA! trying to rejuvenate his failed political career by trying to get elected governor of my state.

Beebe may not be the best candidate to ever come along, but he's head and shoulders better than ASA! Incompetent, mean spirited, and from such a great family.

You all sound scared

Thank you, Clay. And "girl" is just fine.

Joe should say in his introduction, "ASA will do for Arkansas what Dubya has done for this country."

That might scare even the money grubbers into voting for Beebe.

I can't believe Joe got pulled into this. Must be thin air up there.

The Dems are a little freaked out that there guy is sliding in the polls.

He's ahead, but by less and less each day.

And Beebe's touted his money lead as a key to his victory. Trouble is, after the ad buys by Beebe for August and the Bush event for Asa, the money race will be tied.

You over-compotent asses, this thing is CLOSE.

AUGUST 30?????.....damn. just my luck....one of my dogs has a haircut appointment that day...........guess I'll just have to miss the big event....what a bummer!!!...........LOL......oh well my little dog is better company anyway.

Jealous that Clinton is only $100 while Bush is $500?

And while you bash Bush, he won this state not once, but twice.

You all cound like scared children.

OVER-COMPONET????...What the hell is that?.....I can't find it in my Webster's.

I might rent me a couple of Republicans to carry me in like Ceasar.

I'll pull up in a Hummer with the special A$a package: flashing lights, siren, inflatable boat, and duct tape over the D.C. license plates. I'll leave it running with the A/C on. .

No one will know I'm a liberal because I'll be wearing a cheap suit made from (imitation) skins of illegal aliens and endangered species.

I'll be packing a pistol with WWJD on the butt, and I'll be loudly threatening to kill all those terrorist supporters, Democrats.

I'll abuse the help, eat too much, and do a little back-slapping as we chuckle over the latest foolishness of the little people and their dumb minimum wage.

I'm not sure I'll take home any of the Iraqi heads they'll be giving away in the gift bags, though.

ASA and Dubya... not a fully functioning brain between the two of them.

I hope they don't breed with each other on Joe's daybed.

Fuck you Joe Klein

What the hell are you doing bringing the President into your house

I put up with your god awful voice just so you can have W in for Asa?

punk ass NBA journeyman

www.firejoeklein.com

"At least they are bring in current leaders"--- live in today

And, pray tell, who would that leader be?

If I thought I could get close enough to heckle Bush and use my 'Fuck Bush' sign I'd make the trip. But King George doesn't allow such visible dissent to clutter his view.

But I wish monkeyboy (and Cheney) would spend lots of time campaigning for A$a. Every Arkansan needs to know that a vote for A$a is a vote for Team Bush. A$a will bring the same incompetent governing and fiscal failings to Arkansas that Bush brought to the rest of country.

Beebe is crooked. I defy any onf you to disagree, unless you are Tom Kennedy.

Remember these words of wisdom from earlier in this thread:

"ASA will do for Arkansas what Dubya has done for this country"

With A$a as governor, we'll settle the water pollution issue by invading Oklahoma.

What a terrible start to my week. First, it's learning that Beebe wants kids to be taught ID in school. Now it turns out a guy I admire is cozy with extremists. What's next-Wally's gay?

Does it not cross your mind that if a man like Klein likes President Bush, perhaps you're the one who's wrong?

I am sure that Joe Kleine cares what jerks like y'all think.

He is the cool kid in the school and y'all are the druggies smoking in the corner talking amongst yourselves about how stupid it is to be popular and liked.

I'd vote for Joe before Asa (or probably Beebe for that matter). Better name recognition and he's managed to get on the wrong side of the most powerful man in the state. Go Joe!

That's right, Zelda. Never forget that two retired school teachers were arrested and strip-searched just for having 'Kerry' material of some sort in their WALLETS as they attempted to go near a Bush rally in Iowa in 2004. Can you imagine what would happen to you if you were to go toting such a sign? 'Team Bush' has turned this into a police state. But the one good thing they have done, albeit unwittingly, is to unite all good people in the cause of opposing them. We no longer have to be careful in condemning all Republicans, for fear of maligning the few good ones. There are no good ones left, save a handful of hangers-on in ultra-traditionalist New England.

Why is it that anonypuss's racial comments don't seem out of place when we're talking about Republicans?

If Beebe is crooked, ASA! is crookeder. Not an endorsement of Beebe, I realize, but ASA! would lobby against wool socks for his grandmother in the winter if somebody paid him to.

He's a hired gun, a failed politician, and a mean person. We just don't need him. Let him screw up some other place.

Asa has been elected to Congress.

Mike Beebe has the same resume of 1000 other burned-out Dem politicos.

Yeah... look at his congressional career. Money from lobbyists to ASA!'s pocket. Now he's doing it the other way around.

ASA! is all about the money. He doesn't give a rat poot about anything else.

So is this BBQ joint gonna cater the gig? I hope the mayo in the slaw goes off and they all get trichinosis. I like the thought of republicans with intestinal worms.

A brainless war starter, a money grabbing lobbyist, and a pro athlete.

I think I'll set fire to my $500 instead.

I'm no genius, but I knew that George W. Bush was an idiot when he was campaigning in 2000. Now we know that he's close to throwing the world into a death spiral, yet people still support him. I swear I don't get it.

Democrats have the truth on their side, but it doesn't matter.

Take the whole wiretap thing. Dems' only demand was that the president abide by the law, not that he stop doing the freakin surveilance.
But Repugs spun it as 'Democrats weak on terrorism,' and for many voters, the ploy has worked. Face it Dems, if you think our country is more vulnerable under a leader perceived as weak on defense/terrorism, would you vote for her?

I guess Republicans have cornered the market on fear. What a shame for our country and the future of the world. Damn. Fucking Republicans. And they call themselves Americans.

This is not the America that should be.

Joe Klein is no different than most other millionaires. Democrats will tax him at a higher rate, most likely. And they won't kill the estate err death tax. Never mind that their children and grandchildren will pay through their noses for GWB's policies. Has anyone noticed the apparent coincidental timing in Bush's presidency and the murder rate across the country?

I think Joe is also a conservative Catholic.

Calling the estate tax the death tax is stupid.

I want my children to do well, and to stand on their own two feet. No way I am leaving them rich - that wouldn't be right for them or for our nation.

If they are going to make a lot of money, they can do it the same way I did.

Nothing pisses me off more than people who inherit money and think it makes them superior to the working man.

I sure as hell won't be eating at Corky's again.

In his farewell speech to the nation, President Eisenhower said, "...we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex... Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."

If Eisenhower were alive today, he would be appalled at the direction that his party has taken.

Of course, roughly one third of the electorate will approve of this current corrupt party no matter what they do, because of the (R) behind the name. All are driven by pure greed, fear, and/or an unhealthy obsession with gays and abortion. A sizeable number, but technically not enough to win an election in the United States of America.

If the Republicans and Joe Lieberman win their elections this fall, I think I can speak for most of the dwindling middle class when I say that we will recognize, beyond any doubt, an election stolen. (...and many of us are pretty sure that last three were as well.)

I won't eat at Corky's any longer, nor any other business I find Joe is involved in if this is true. I try to avoid doing business with Repubs when possible.

One more reason not to eat that nassy bar b que.

Corky's barbeque sucks anyway so it'll be a breeze to forego lining the pockets of another rich white man who wants to take choices away from women. Try some Sims or Whole Hog instead. The Corky's brand wandered over to LR from that overrated Memphis joint and some fools thought just because it was "Memphis" barbeque it was good. It's just chain barbeque, might as well eat a McRib.

More seats for the majority of us. No more long lines, oops, or longer ones, hummmmm

Joe, don't worry what those jealous proll think about your stellar move. You've finally established yourself and it's your time to SHINE! Why, we might even have to rename the next country in our conquest after you. How does Kleinistan sound?

Well...my stomach hurts. Lately I have been feeling a little better...but, Joe?

1st Asa only won ONE race and that was the 3rd CD handme down from brother adulterer Tim.

Secondly, Hutchinson has no pride, having the Chimpster in Chief who not only ONCE but TWICE passed ole Asa over at the DHS for the top job. If that would of happened to me, I wouldn't piss in Bush's mouth if it was on fire. Got more pride than that.

Lastly, the phones must not be working for ole Asa - can't raise money so he's even bringing in Mr 38%er himself - who's next? Mel Gibson?

"Fundraising lunch..."

Shoot...did I miss the sign-up sheet?!

Can I have a ticket?

Whoever this Joe K. person is and they own a bbq joint named Corkies Where the heck is Corkies? Why not meet a few friends there. Order a few hundred glasses of ice water and one wing, the right one, in honor of the day republicans finally cool off. My NO IRAQ WAR sign is fifteen years old now, maybe I could bring it out for another dance.

I personally will be much more likely to eat at Corky's. Way to go Joe...I'm proud of you.

Don't let these fringe blog leftist bother you.

I have a question that I have been unable to get answered. When a sitting President campaigns/ attends functions for a candidate, who picks up the tab? The candidate or the taxpayers?

hey "another millionaire" 9:15 pm...You are a millionaire and I can fly the space shuttle! Right!! If you were a millionaire you would be going to the fundraiser and fighting the DEATH TAX....But you may be a person who cares nothing for his kids, doesn't love them and would rather half you money go to someone else's kid's who are out stealing a bicycle right now. F--- You and your socialist buddies. Beat it & get over it....Trish Monroe

Why does it surprise you folks that Joe Klein is in with the right wing crowd? He's just another pampered athlete, dumb as hell, and would probably swallow any propaganda Bush and others will feed him. Actually, Kleine is a lot like Bush himself. Even Asa must cringe at having to use people like B and K.

This is a historic moment. Five years later, Joe and Asa can celebrate that day in August 2001 when W received a briefing entitled "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S.."

Of course, W ignored it because he was on vacation.

So now we have...what?...three wars on our hands, counting Lebanon? Good work W and Asa in sending all those Americans to die for your political fortune. And now, Joe, you're part of it too. How does it feel?

Ya think that maybe, with luck, they'll serve pretzels at the fundraiser?

Joe, how could you?

And I repeat -- Max, Warwick, this blog will be much improved if you just find a way to block "Anonymous" posts. How much originality does it take to come up with a pseudonym ?

>....but never had the pleasure of calling him a liar to his face.<
Posted by: Roland

Be careful or you'll end up in Gitmo.

Ok. Ive read the drivel back and forth. So. just a few questions. (fyi, Asa's fundraiser, this is gonna sting a little bit, fair warning)

Why a lunch? With a sitting POTUS? You are bringing in your biggest of your stars to help you raise money yet again from the same old crowd in LR and you do a Lunch? For $500?

Yall are REPUBLICANS!!!

What happened to the 1k and 2k a plate DINNERs that were held for Bros Mike and Tim? That was the way to rake in the cash this time, 4 people to every 1 in the room?

Which brings another point. Someones home? you are having an event in someones home. Granted it is a very nice and sizable home, but its just not the size of the convention center.That tells me that some one is abiding to the oldest rule in politics....to make it look packed, use a small room.

And last and final comment/question. Why bring another "celebrity" into the mix? So far every other "name" has come into AR solo, so why add Joe Klein to the event? Surely there were plenty of other folks in LR willing to open their homes to the Pres.( werent there?) Could it be that one not only needed the allure of a former white NBA player but also that ot the sitting president to pull in a decent crowd?

Now. Asa kool aid sippers. Say what you will. But let that be a little insight into what the Asa campaign has been dealing with. They need your help volunteering rather than bitching about some inane flip flop.

ciao

I will take Chip's over Corkey's anyday. Mclard's when I can make the trip on weekends.

I would not want anyone fundraising for me who had the low poll numbers. Even Fox nazi new channel gives W the boot, and that's a laugh!

http://www.pollingreport.com/BushJob.htm

I wonder will the Neocons pay Tribute to Arkansas Soldiers killed in iraq while they are having their $500 a plate on ribs. I hope they all get the craps!

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/content/shared/oh/iraq/states/arkansas.html

Riverdog,
Thanks for the link.
Does Asa! think he is doing himself a favor inviting a Prez with the lowest numbers in history to stump for him?
It amazes me that one-third of the population is still in Bush's corner. TFI's.

Albuquerque

Nuff said

Your Welcome!

Mark ,JOE KLINE Off the List of people i use to respect a lot , Sorry JOE, i can't support Republicans or mass murderers mentalit like the GOP party or BUSH . A$S has his his third rate supporters, base I see no one respect the Current office holder in the whitehouse, hope the sell a FEW tickets no one in there right mind would pay 500 $ to see this President.

Well, this is a defining moment. What side are you on Arkansas? The light side or the dark side?

Choose wisely. Drought, water shortages. dead and dying crops are ugly things to behold.

They told Clinton Gore would make him lose. They had Clinton so convinced the people hated he and Gore the poor man believed them and played right into their hands.

$500. I recall when you could hear a politican for FREE.

That's the cheapest ticket that's ever been charged by the the gop in this state, eh? I always enjoy it when George Bush speaks somewhere on jobs and the economy, then they lay workers off the next day. e.g. Fort Smith

Corky's barbecue sauce is some kind of molasses based crap that I don't care for in the least. I was okay having a burger there every once in awhile but that won't be happening ever again.

Anybody dumb enough to have W over to their home after all he's put us through is nothing but a low-life, just like all these cockroach anons running around this blog.

And, hey, what's with the Corky's logo, does no one with that organization know how to put up the neon pig face, or is picasso making a comeback.

I've been going to the Cross-Eyed Pig lately. The food is good and there are people in there that probably packing guns which is what you like to see in a bbq joint.

Joe Klein has been a moron since the late 1980s, and has always been willing to cozy up to the money boys if it would advance his towering ambition.

Joe played basketball with a lot of heart. But now he apparently is a member of the heartless party, trying to raise money for lobbyist ASA! and hosting the dumbest president ever. That's just too bad.

Joe is a good catholic and votes his conscience. You guys should respect that even if you don't agree with him. I am proud of him for taking a stand and getting involved in the political process. He is not being mean toward Mike Beebe or hateful toward democrats. He is engaging himself in the American Process - what if everyone quit doing business with you because you were a democrat.

Can famous people not hold views and support candidates who agree with their views. You guys need to go chill out a little. I have never seen hatred like I see on this blog.

Anybody think GW would have lowered himself to come to the home of a lowly basketball millionaire six years ago? It's much like those formerly popular country stars ending up in Branson. But hey, it's a gig.

It's really a shame the chimpster in chief can't stay a little while longer and continue their fundraising with dinner at the Hope Airport.

"Joe is a good catholic and votes his conscience."

Yeah, a good Catholic as long as he votes Republican. That leaves my wife off the "good" list, I'm afraid.

"hey "another millionaire" 9:15 pm...You are a millionaire and I can fly the space shuttle! Right!! If you were a millionaire you would be going to the fundraiser and fighting the DEATH TAX...."

Maybe not ALL millionaires are money grubbers. But all Guppies are.

What's up with all these basketball folks coming out of the closet for Republicans? First Ron Crawford and now Joe Kleine. Is Nolan Richardson about to endorse Jim Holt next?

Another rich athlete letting his pocketbook alone dictate his political affiliation.
Joe Kleine a 30-percenter, BIG SHOCK.

Wow, nearly 100 comments! Not to delve into too far into this thread, but Corkys BBQ does suck. If you like ribs that were half-cooked in Memphis and then frozen and shipped here to be re-heated, then be my guest and continue eating there. If you want real BBQ than eat at any other of the state's great places.

"Is Nolan Richardson about to endorse Jim Holt next?"

I just spit coffee all over my computer screen. Post of the day.

I think you all are just bitter at Klein because he has a better life than you do and the President is coming to his house.

What kind of people sit at their computers all day and whine to each other about the President?

Get out and do something with your life.

Excerpts of truth from this thread:

But at least Joe won't be the supidest person there.

What happened to the 1k and 2k a plate DINNERs that were held for Bros Mike and Tim?... Granted it is a very nice and sizable home, but its just not the size of the convention center...

Anybody think GW would have lowered himself to come to the home of a lowly basketball millionaire six years ago? It's much like those formerly popular country stars ending up in Branson.

Not to delve into too far into this thread, but Corkys BBQ does suck. If you like ribs that were half-cooked in Memphis and then frozen and shipped here to be re-heated, then be my guest and continue eating there.

While Whole Hog has good barbecue and the variety six-pack of sauces on the table is a nice touch, the very best barbecue in Little Rock can be found at Sims.

I never liked Corky's, and that was before I knew Joe Klein had anything to do with it or the Republican party.

I've about had it with all the fundraising in politics. Besides good candidates from both parties (and a better presence of independents and third parties) we need sweeping election reform.

You guys are really missing the brilliance of this GOP strategy. Bush has 37% approval. Asa! has 46%. Put it together and what do you have? That's right, 83%. Duh.

Might the multitudes look forward to hearing some of the statewide candidates for free sometime before the election? Who's on the list so far for Levy Day?

hey Hugh Mann...Joe klein could care less if a pitiful little nobody like you likes him or not. Get a job and get a life.
There is a world outside of your socialism.

"a pitiful little nobody like you"...

That's the Republican mantra. If you ain't a multi-millionaire, we could care less.

Anon 10:55, drinking all the cherry flavor has made you bitter. Try the lime or wild berry Kool Aid for a change.

I have a great job and a wonderful life. Sorry yours sucks so bad. You should pay more attention to what's going on around you.

Let me guess . . . you won't be in attendance at dubya's wing-ding.

And why would I give a rat's ass whether or not Joe Kelin likes me?

I have eaten at the Corky's in LR and it is terrible. I have also eaten at the Corky's in Memphis and it is ok. The best barbque in LR in whole hog. Several years ago I would have said the 'shack' on 3rd and Victory when it was owned by casey slaughter.

Gee....just reading this thread makes my day. It's so apparent that most of us fully understand what a walking abortion George "Haditha" Bush really is. And he's coming to Arkansas to view the lanky fetus he's aborted twice already.

And how desperate Asa must be to link up with Bush for money at a time when other Republicans are running from him like he was a stinking dog turd. Come to think of it, Bush is a stinking dog turd. Shame on you Asa!

As far as Joe Klein....one thing age is teaching me is that the real heroes are all around us, not on TV or the radio or in the movies. Old guys that fought WWII and then came home and worked a boring job for 40 years to feed their families, did it without anyone noticing. Lots of those people were our parents and grandparents. There's your hero. Not some washed up football player hocking pig meat.

Anyone that quietly does something good for society at the expense of themselves is a hero. We've confused people on TV standing on a pile of rubble at Ground Zero reading words off a teleprompter with the real heroes that crawled thru the rubble looking for victims, people who lost their lives running up stairs in a collapsing building in a vain effort to save strangers. That's our heroes.

You'd have to go way back to find a heroic Governor of Arkansas, if there ever was one. Governor Yell was killed in the Mexican War of 1848, I guess that's pretty heroic. But even he has his detractors.

I would love to have a private audience with Bush. I saw that episode of Twilight Zone where the guy goes back in time and takes out a young man who would grow up to ruin the world ala Hitler. But I have a better chance of being left alone in a room with Jesus than I do with Bush.

It's pretty sickening to have lived long enough to even entertain such thoughts. The damage Bush-Cheney have wrought goes beyond devastated countries, torture and stacks of dead bodies. They've about ended the American way of life as we knew it.

We can get rid of Bush-Cheney, Asa, Joe Klein and their disgusting supporters by voting out every Republican over the next 2 years. Oh yeah, and stop eating at Corkey's too. Someone who can get closer than 2 miles needs to take a lot of photographs so we'll know who was a Bush hugger when they all start lying about it in the coming years. A Life Shunning is not too harsh a sentence for anyone evil enough to still support Bush-Cheney in 2006.

We need to look harder for hidden heroes and be smart enough to know a fake when they hold 500 a plate fundraisers for a twice passed over chump.

Save America.....vote for a Democrat.

I think Joe is a hero. Someone who puts his livelihood on the line for what he believes is a hero. Besides all of the people that eat there they do alot of catering. I'm sure he really doesn't need the money but, still, he could lose a lot of business.

I'm just sorry to find out he's not too smart.

The next person's to come to the aid of A$a W Bush. Is Dr. Seuss @ still $500 a plate. But it will be green eggs and ham served by Sam I am!

This won't hurt his business, just like his shitty BBQ doesn't.

Had a $50 gift certificate to Corky's once. Gave it to a stranger and went to Whole Hog.

Mmmmmmmm. Whole Hog.

with gwb's poor polls, i can't believe ASA thinks bringing him to town is actually going to help

It's not going to help, but when the Prez calls wanting a gig, it's hard for a Guppie gubernatorial candidate to say no.

Inquiring minds want to know - Why not NWA? The land of milk, honey and Kool-Aide. I know why!

Things are a lot tougher in NWA for the Hutchinson campaign than is lead to believe. Cheney, didn't have the money effect desired in NWA and seems that the Thuglican's in LR are a little more willing to puke up $500.00.

Troll through the contributions and compare them to the NWA dollars that came to brother Tim and now to Asa...you might find it interesting.

Hey Bush! Don't you have more important things to spend your time on? Like, meeting the American Idol people? Or, even better, going to the funeral of a dead soldier?

I thought all Demolosers were vegetarians. They wouldn't stoop to eating a nasty pig, would they?

Congratulations Joe. Its an honor to host a sitting President in your home. And an honor for the State to have a President spend time in our City and State. No matter your politics.

AT, I would have expected more from you than to let your blog stoop to such childish behavior.

Anyone who knows Joe, knows he is an honest, good man with more heart than all the hate filled bloggers who are trying to belittle his name and business.

Joe dearly loves his family, children, god, church, and community, and country.

Joe is a humble man and doesn't seek limelight to have streets or buildings named for him.

Say it ain't so, Joe, say it ain't so!

Oh gee....I'm sorry. If the great evengelist who led Billy Graham to Jesus, Billy Sunday had hosted a nice lunchon for A. Hitler, his coffers would have dried up and no one would have ever heard of him again.

And while Joe my love God, I personally know my female dog Ethel loves Vivian Vance. I can see it in her eyes. I can tell Ethel loves Fort Smith too, she's just that kind of dog.

I'm just sorry I don't live in LR so I would have the joy of not eating at Corkey's. To show my support for the entire week after Bush touches Arkansas soil I will swear off all barbeque. No not one greasy bit of pig will pass thru my lips for one solid week! A man must make a stand now and then.Oh gee....I'm sorry. If the great evangelist who led Billy Graham to Christ, Billy Sunday had hosted a nice luncheon for A. Hitler, his coffers would have dried up and no one would have ever heard of him again. At the rest of sounding like Spirit, Rev. Sunday would be dead to me.

And while Joe may love God, worshiping goes on all around me. I personally know my female dog Ethel loves Vivian Vance. I can see it in her eyes. I can tell Ethel loves Fort Smith too, she's just that kind of dog.

I'm just sorry I don't live in LR so I would have the joy of not eating at Corkey's. To show my support, for the entire week after Bush touches Arkansas soil I will swear off all barbeque. No not one greasy bit of pig will pass thru my lips for one solid week! A man must make a stand now and then.

Plus all that pig meat has clogged up my hate filled heart. I will show my spirit of partisanship by giving Joe K. a little tip. To get the Bush stink out of your carpets after he leaves there is this great new product called Febreze.

I use it all the time when Ethel dumps a steaming load on my carpet. A few squeezes of the trigger and it smells like daisies at my house. Just don't drink the stuff, it's horrible.

Plus all that pig meat has clogged up my hate filled heart. I will show my spirit of partisenship by giving Joe K. a little tip. To get the Bush stink out of your carpets after he leaves there is this great new product called Febreze. I use it all the time when Ethel dumps a steaming load on my carpet. A few squeezes of the trigger and it smells like daisies at my house. Just don't drink the stuff, it's horrible.

This just in.
Fred Flinstone from the town of Bedrock MIGHT be coming to Little Rock next month for a fundraising lunch in behalf of Asa GW FAILURE Bush Hutchinson's gubernatorial campaign. This is still up in the air because Fred & friends would like to eat at Luby's. Fred is crazy about the blackened tilapia and the pay for what you want to eat menu. Where as the other's want to have it at Crappie's bbq. Oh, I'm sorry it's corkey's bbq.

INTERVISTA AD ANTONELLO DE PIERRO
Da Napolitano alle liti per le poltrone nel governo Prodi, all'Iraq, al sistema elettorale, all'economia.Il ''depierro pensiero''.

Angelo M. D'Addesio

*Iniziamo con le notizie politiche di questi giorni. La scelta di Napolitano come Capo dello Stato è condivisibile, giusta oppure si configuravano alternative possibili e se sì quali?

Sì, penso che Napolitano sia stata la scelta giusta, a dispetto dell'anzianità, anche perché vista la situazione che si era venuta a creare non poteva essere D'Alema, l'uomo giusto, avendo fatto la campagna elettorale per un determinato schieramento. Gianni Letta è stato sempre al suo posto, ma non dimentichiamo che è stato al centro dei fondi neri dell'IRI negli anni '70 e quindi non era una figura credibile al momento. Mi ha fatto male vedere i 42 voti a Bossi, che è leader di uno schieramento che fa i raduni sul Po e cantava con i suoi seguaci la canzone "Abbiamo un sogno nel cuore, bruciare il Tricolore.". Parlo di Bossi perché è stato il secondo più eletto. Penso che Napolitano è una buona figura, che sicuramente riuscirà ad essere al di sopra delle parti.

*Il Governo Prodi. Dopo la vittoria risicata che durata potrà avere questo governo e soprattutto come si risolveranno i diverbi interni ai DS o il nodo Mastella-Bonino per il Ministero della difesa?

Come durata mi auguro che sia di cinque anni pieni. Diciamo che le liti sono più nell'ambito dell'Ulivo, nel partito "unico". Sembra che qualcuno abbia attribuito a D'Alema, la frase e la volontà di una doppia vicepresidenza del Consiglio, con Rutelli. Non sarà così. La vicepresidenza andrà, a mio parere, a Rutelli. Non sono d'accordo sulla scelta di Rutelli, in tempi passati ho trovato molto da ridire sul comportamento politico di Rutelli.

*E sulla questione Bonino-Mastella?

Sicuramente vedo molto meglio Mastella alla Difesa. La Bonino alla Difesa sarebbe una scelta contraddittoria, viste le battaglie pacifiste che la Bonino ha condotto in questi anni con i Radicali, Rutelli in primis. Non dimentichiamo il trasformismo esasperato di Rutelli, dai Radicali ai Verdi, per poi genuflettersi in Vaticano, passando alla Margherita.

*Rimanendo sull'argomento pace-guerra. A fine giugno dovrebbe esserci il rifinanziamento delle missioni in Iraq ed Afghanistan. Il governo Prodi avrà la volontà di svincolarsi dalle missioni oppure seguirà i propositi del governo Berlusconi?

Io mi auguro di no. Innanzitutto la missione in Afghanistan è stata ben diversa. Quella in Iraq è stata una missione di guerra, perché gli italiani hanno partecipato a diverse operazioni di guerra.
E' eclatante il caso di Nassiriya. Lì sono di stanza gli italiani e ci sono gli stabilimenti dell'ENI che gli italiani hanno protetto durante la missione.

*Quali sono le possibili soluzioni politiche per risolvere questi nodi cruciali legati alle missioni in Iraq?

Io spero si trovi una soluzione che non sarà comunque facile, vista la situazione creatasi in Iraq. Penso che sia però il momento di ritirare i soldati dall'Iraq. C'è da sottolineare comunque il cinismo aberrante che accompagna il cordoglio per la morte dei militari italiani, dalla tragedia di Nassiriya. Berlusconi disse all'epoca "E' come se fosse morto mio figlio". Suo figlio non era lì, purtroppo o per fortuna e sono parole e frasi fatte. Il fatto di considerare i morti in terminI di mera contabilità di un bollettino di guerra dovrebbe far riflettere. Dietro ogni morto c'è una tragedia familiare che segna per tutta la vita.

*Si parla di Partito Democratico e di Casa dei Moderati. Eppure le formazioni sono molto disomogenee, la sinistra radicale va per conto suo. Saranno possibili queste elaborazioni in termini bipolari e quali saranno i tempi per queste soluzioni?

E' una bella domanda. Io sono contrario all'unione DS-Margherita. Sarebbe il tramonto dell'ideologia. Questo già esiste, però se qualcuno ha ancora delle idee, ci troveremmo di fronte ad un'unica lista formata da coloro che combattevano, verbali o meno, ovvero democristiani e comunisti, la vecchia maggioranza ed opposizione. E' come se in futuro si unissero Berlusconi e Prodi. Dall'altro lato la Casa dei Moderati è surreale. Nel centro-destra non ci sono moderati, per il sol fatto di aver accettato l'alleanza con la Lega Nord che è sempre stata contraria e lontana dallo spirito democratico e di moderazione. Fino a quando ci saranno certe alleanze, sarà difficile una Casa dei Moderati.

*In riferimento al sistema proporzionale come le pensa?

Ecco in riferimento a ciò è bene ricordare che l'art. 1 dice che "L'Italia è una repubblica democratica fondata sul lavoro". In realtà l'Italia è stata fondata più sul denaro, sulla ricchezza, che non sul lavoro. E' stata più che altro una plutocrazia e non una democrazia, non di certo un governo del popolo. In questo senso la legge elettorale è stata un attentato alla democrazia. Non dare neppure la possibilità all'elettore di scegliere il proprio candidato, ma imporre candidature come quelle di Previti, peraltro arrestato in questi giorni o Dell'Utri che si è avvantaggiato di una legge ad personam, altrimenti avrebbe dovuto scontare due anni e sei mesi rende l'idea di come questa legge sia da rivedere, completamente.

*Il tema scottante del lavoro. Veltroni ha riabilitato la Legge Biagi, ha detto che è da riformare, ma non da bocciare completamente. Altri la considerano l'apice e la causa prima del precariato in Italia. Che posizione ha sulla Legge Biagi?

Non dimentichiamo che questa situazione è stata determinata in parte dal centro-sinistra. Bisogna invertire la rotta. Non dimentichiamo che il centro-sinistra introdusse i c.d. "Co.Co.Co.", ora spariti per fortuna, per poter pagare i periodi di prova. Gli stessi sono stati strumentalizzati, infatti circa tre anni fa si arrivò a circa 2 milioni e 700 mila Co.Co.Co. Vorrei sottolineare un evento abbastanza importante su questo argomento.

*Prego.

Al Ministero dei Trasporti c'è una centrale operativa, che risponde agli utenti che hanno a che fare con la Motorizzazione Civile, occupandosi dei dati sensibili di tutti i cittadini. Prima l'appalto del call-center era stato dato ad una ditta privata. E' qualcosa di assolutamente sbagliato affidare i dati sensibili di milioni di italiani ad una ditta che può passare la mano ad altre ditte, in barba alla legge sulla privacy. Tutto ciò non è affidabile. Circa tre anni fa, in proposito feci una trasmissione in Radio su Radio Roma, in cui si parlava del Co.Co.Co, come incostituzionale, perché prevedeva una situazione contraria all'art. 4 della Costituzione, perché prevedeva un lavoro da dipendente con le non garanzie del libero professionista. Nel caso del Ministero la nuova ditta che venne impose questo trattamento e c'era chi lavorava lì da 15 anni ed a 40 anni si vide costretta ad accettare.

*E' il caso di rivedere tutto, di attuare una vera riforma.

Adesso ci sono i "contratti a progetto". C'è un futuro nel segno del precariato e dell'incertezza. Sono aumentati i divorzi e sono diminuiti i matrimoni. Questo è uno degli effetti collaterali di questa situazione. Oggi un giovane non può neppure comprare una cosa, perché è necessario impegnare una busta paga per un mutuo o un affitto. Una volta si diceva "Ho trovato lavoro" o "Sono Disoccupato" oggi si dice "Lavoro, ma non so cosa farò". C'è una grande incertezza. Non si parla più tanto di usura in questi tempi, non so se è notato, ma anche questo è un altro effetto collaterale indiretto che bisognerebbe approfondire e che è conseguenza di tale sistema. Berlusconi aveva promesso 1 milione di posti di lavoro, ma se sono questi, ha vinto la scommessa, ma il lavoro è un'altra cosa.

*Faccio l'avvocato del diavolo. L'impresa italiana è in crisi. La concorrenza asiatica è molto forte. La grande impresa sceglie la strada della vendita o svendita o della fusione all'estero. La piccola impresa è strozzata e quindi o sceglie la strada della flessibilità o cede al lavoro nero? Cosa è meglio e cosa il peggio?

Lavoro significa stabilità futura e lavoro è un diritto costituzionale. Lo Stato ha il dovere di tutelare il lavoro, ma mi sembra che lo stia piuttosto calpestando. Un lavoratore che mette su famiglia, lavorando in tre mesi e per altri tre mesi non lavora più, può essere schiacciato dall'usura. Si parla di mobbing, senza che ci siano però una legge adeguata. Ho partecipato ad un convegno sul Mobbing, constatando che una legge seria si attende da anni. Solo la Regione Lazio ha varato una legge regionale, fu un consigliere di Forza Italia a presentarla, Claudio Fucci, ma fu bocciata dalla Consulta su istanza del Governo Berlusconi, cosa abbastanza curiosa. Tornando al mobbing, questo tipo di impostazione del sistema lavoro, presta il fianco al mobbing. Lavoratori con contratti di più durata sfrutteranno quelli con contratti precari
E' una situazione da ribaltare, magari con incentivi alle imprese che possano assicurare contratti a tempo determinato e con grosse penalizzazioni per le imprese che mantengono la vergogna dei contratti precari.

*Passiamo alla politica estera. Si dice che il binomio Usa-Italia è destinato a concludersi con l'avvento del governo Prodi che guarderà verso altri modelli ed altre collaborazioni. E' possibile che l'Italia si rifaccia al modello spagnolo o a quello francese, ad esempio nel campo dei diritti civili. E' vero che finirà anche il binomio Italia-Usa.

Io guarderei prima al mio orticello. Prima risolverei i problemi interni. La Spagna di Zapatero sicuramente, per quello che si sente, sta rinascendo dopo gli otto anni di governo Aznar. Se parliamo dei diritti civili, se vogliamo chiamarli così, io posso essere d'accordo personalmente con i PACS, ma non con le unioni omosessuali. Per giunta nella cattolicissima Spagna. E' un po' una contraddizione. In paesi come il Brasile forse non si arriverà mai ai matrimoni gay.
Quanto al rapporto con gli Usa, spero che possano continuare, ma attenzione, devono essere rapporti di scambi reciproci e non di sudditanza. Il Governo Berlusconi si è piegato al governo degli Usa. Lo stesso partito di Forza Italia ha una visione servilistica, Berlusconi ha impostato il suo modello con gli Usa allo stesso modo, ovvero servi del volere di Bush.
Quanto ai diritti civili, gli Usa stessi hanno molto da imparare, se pensiamo agli innocenti che aspettano il giudizio solo perché non possono pagare le spese legali. Si parlava poi di mercato con l'estero. Se penso alla Cina che è lo stato che vanta al mondo il maggior numero di esecuzioni capitali. Ebbene, fino a quando non ci sarà uno standard di rispetto dei diritti umani, io frenerei l'espansione commerciale ed economica della Cina verso l'Occidente.

*Le chiederei un parere sulla vicenda Calcio. Tema banale, ma saltato agli occhi della cronaca, della politica.

Io sono sconcertato da quello che è successo. Siamo abituati a situazioni poco pulite dell'universo Calcio. Situazioni poco chiare ci sono state anche in altri sport ed in altri organismi. Il Calcio è un gioco. Quando il Calcio diventa business, con squadre quotate in borsa ed altro. Non dimentichiamo i crack di Cagnotti e Tanzi. Dove c'è business si vengono a creare situazioni che permettono alle persone di arricchirsi illecitamente. Negli altri sport non esiste ancora tutto questo. Pensiamo al Calcio dei grandi valori, al grande Torino, perito a Superga, con grandi calciatori che giocavano per un premio-partita che poteva essere un cappotto.
Questo non dovrebbe accadere. E' il caso di fare vera pulizia e che i magistrati vadano veramente fino in fondo per punire pesantemente i reati che sono stati commessi e dare una lezione a questi signori. Fra questi c'è anche Carraro e mi dispiace che sia stato sindaco anche a Roma, una città bella, rinata. Mi fa scemare un po' di orgoglio di essere romano.

*Ultimo punto. Cosa dovrebbe fare un governo, in questo caso, il Governo Prodi, non dico in cento giorni, ma con estrema urgenza almeno nei prossimi sei mesi. Tre priorità su cui intervenire.

Prima di tutto la scuola. Soprattutto dopo la riforma Moratti che svalutato la scuola pubblica. Bisogna dare a tutti l'accesso alla scuola pubblica, al sapere che è il segno distintivo di un popolo. Altra cosa su cui operare la sanità. Un esempio è il modello tedesco è molto avanti. Si paga una tassa più elevata, ma in Germania viene tutto rimborsato, visite private comprese. Conosco un caso spaventoso di un barbone dimenticato su una lettiga fuori dall'Ospedale di Ostia. La tutela della salute è un diritto da non calpestare che favorisce anche una società più laboriosa. Infine va rivisto completamente il sistema lavoro, a partire dalle assunzioni.

Antonello De Pierro, giornalista, direttore del portale di informazione nazionale Italymedia e da tempo impegnato nel giornalismo di denuncia sociale. Ha collaborato per "La Stampa" e "L'Opinione", ha diretto nel 2003 il mensile "Nuove proposte" ed ha condotto programmi nel circuito tv Stream, oltre che essere un assiduo ideatore di trasmissioni per Radio Roma ed altre emittenti locali nel Lazio. Oggi è molto attivo nel giornalismo on line e nell'informazione telematica grazie al sito di informazione da lui diretto Italymedia.it