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The Ron Paul Forums site frequently links to our posts on Rand Paul, who is a Republican Senate candidate, Bowling Green Ophthalmologist and son of blimp-based politician Ron Paul.
In the wake of Paul’s strong showing in the first Senate race poll, the posters have stopped insulting Jake over at Page One and have started strategizing.
Forum user libertygirl says:
I found a website with some good info and was wondering if we could use it accordingly just like a regular marketing campaign and target specific demographics. Was the Ron Paul Groups big in KY during his run? There is a growing population of the under “30″ crowd which would be a great group to target as well as the ever dedicated Senior voters.
Since Paul’s supporters are spread out (and not necessarily in Kentucky), it’s interesting to see them coming together to try and overcome that problem. When writers have mentioned this shortcoming in the past, Paul’s out-of-state supporters have launched ad hominem and/or unfounded attacks. Now it seems like they’re starting to work on new types of campaigning, albeit unsanctioned by the candidate.
This is Laura Ellis with your Monday morning look at what’s in store for State of Affairs this week.
The novel Nineteen Eighty-Four featured pervasive government surveillance and no tolerance for dissent – ideas that seem so relevant that we still use the term Orwellian to describe situations in the real world. In Soylent Green, overpopulation has lead to environmental conditions in which food can no longer be grown. It’s not coincidence that the most popular works of science fiction are those that make a comment about the possible future consequences of our way of life. Today we’ll be talking about the subversive side of science fiction.
It’s now possible for anyone with an internet connection to watch lectures from Ivy League universities. And it’s not just fly-by-night operations that offer online degrees these days. Tuesday we’ll talk about how technology is changing education.
A recent documentary on Showtime, Guys ‘n’ Divas: Battle of the High School Musicals, puts a spotlight on high school musical theatre programs in Southern Indiana (you might have caught Elizabeth Kramer‘s post about it last week). The film looks at the programs at New Albany, Floyd Central, and Jeffersonville High Schools, their talented kids, and their competitive program directors. We’ll have all three of those directors – and the filmmaker – on the show this Wednesday to discuss their work and the film.
Everyone knows about Albert Einstein and E=MC², but did you know that he first became interested in science when he was home sick at the age of five, and his father gave him a compass to play with? Or how a young Abraham Lincoln was affected by seeing a slave market during a visit to New Orleans? On Thursday we’ll learn about moments like these that planted the seeds for later accomplishments, in a conversation with the authors of Before They Changed the World: Pivotal Moments that Shaped the Lives of Great Leaders Before They Became Famous. [Note: This show was originally scheduled for August 20, but a guest had to reschedule]
On Friday we’ll close out the week with our State of the News show, when you can call with your questions and thoughts about the week’s news.
When America emerged from the Great Depression, it was in many ways a different country than it had been before the 30s. The New Deal, World War II and shifts in cultural and political thought modernized the nation.
So what will a post-War on Terror, post-recession America look like? Well, it could be thinner.
I’ve heard a lot about recession diets. This, however, could work the other way, since more people may be turning to fast food and low-cost alcohol.
So how can metaphorical belt-tightening lead to literally smaller pants? Public transportation is one option.
I’ve been seeing more and more articles lately advocating for stimulus spending on buses, light-rail and high speed trains. Many of these articles point out that public transportation frequently involves more walking, which can lead to weight-loss and a more active lifestyle. It’s also environmentally friendly.
What about you? Are you taking small steps like this to cut down on carbon, cash and calories? Should you?
The site Capitol Words tracks how often certain words are said in Congress.
Looking at Kentucky’s delegation, the most commonly used word is Kentucky and the most talkative member is Senator Mitch McConnell. That makes sense. McConnell is the minority leader and a few random glances at other states’ stats found a similar trend in words said.
Here’s the list of most-to-least talkative.
- Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
- Harold Rogers (R-KY-5)
- James Bunning (R-KY)
- Geoff Davis (R-KY-4)
- John Yarmuth (D-KY-3)
- Ed Whitfield (R-KY-1)
- Brett Guthrie (R-KY-2)
- Ben Chandler (D-KY-6)
- Ron Lewis (R-KY-2)
Yes, I do often write about meth. So why stop now?
A meth ring in Colorado was recently busted. What’s the news? They were using the rare comic books trade to launder their money.
While arresting the alleged ringleaders, brothers Aaron and Alfonzo Castro, law enforcement officers seized about 100 boxes of first-edition collectible comic books. Investigators say one title alone is worth $3,500 and the total collection of comics is worth half a million dollars.
“It appeared they were working on a startup company for high-end comic books,” said Don Quick, the district attorney in Adams County near Denver.
Quick said the seized comic books included some first-edition Superman and Batman titles. The fragile, vintage comics were stored in plastic bags for protection.
Zoinks.
A look at the week in news:
- Mountaintop Mining Case Could Head to Supreme Court
- FEMA Flood Registrations Approach 10,000
- State Senate Vote Certified
- U Of L Appealing Nursing Student Ruling
- Health Department Moves Flu Shots Up Three Weeks
- State Agencies To Face 4% Cut
- Library Reopens Main Branch’s First Floor to the Public
- Grand Champion Ham Fetches Record Price
- MSD Says Buyouts, Improvements Can Prevent Flooding
- FEATURE - Questionable Spending Prompts Oversight Hearings
- Kentucky Colleagues Praise Senator Kennedy
- Pitino Criticizes Media For Reporting Of Sex Scandal
- Kentucky Health Officials Prepare for H1N1
- Grayson Begins 2010 Senate Campaign
- King Declares Candidacy
- Yarmuth Says 51 Votes May Pass Healthcare Reform In Senate
The FTC is cracking down on robocalls–those pre-recorded messages that no amount of do-not-call registries can seem to stop. The calls are now essentially banned (the out-of-work robots can come work for me).
Ars Technica points out that many of the robocalls being made now are already illegal (your car warranty is expiring!) and the bill’s exceptions do little to stop those legally abusing the technology.
…the rule comes with a list of exceptions. Any call that delivers “purely informational recorded messages” will be allowed—a good policy, since it will allow dentists and airlines to make automated calls to patrons about appointments or flight changes.
Banks, politicians, charities, and telephone companies are also allowed to robocall away, even when asking for cash.
The rule change, then, will affect companies that can legally make telemarketing calls but are not banks, charities, telcos, or politicians. Such companies will need to obtain written consent from consumers before robocalling them.
While we do love robots, we’re not crazy about robocalls, and our coverage has focused on the political kind, which aren’t stopping anytime soon.
(Thanks to Page One for the link)
