LorieByrd.com

A Missed Opportunity for Redemption

There have been many opportunities over the past two years for those in the media to slow or stop the decline of their credibility, ratings and sales.  Time and time again though, too many in the media have chosen to remain on a path to obsolescence.  Michael Gerson recently wrote about how sad it is that objective journalism, especially traditional news gathering, appears to be going the way of the dinosaur.  It is sad. Not just that it is becoming so difficult to find fair and impartial journalism these days, but that those in the profession have so many times this year alone ignored or buried stories that might have given the public renewed confidence in them. 

We've seen two recent examples of this with the ACORN stories broken at Andrew Breitbart's Big Government site and with the global warming scandal dubbed ClimateGate.  It is easy to understand why those in the mainstream media have found it difficult to cover these stories.  In both cases the stories themselves serve as huge embarrassments for Big Media considering how long they either failed to report information relevant to the American taxpayers (in the case of the ACORN stories) or participated in perpetuating a fraud (through their promotion of global warming hysteria).  The MSM could go a long way to redeeming themselves though if they simply chose to fairly and impartially investigate and report these two stories now. I don't expect to see that happen though. These are likely to not only be more missed opportunities for redemption, but further evidence for conservatives to point to as proof that most of those in the Mainstream Media deserve all the problems they are currently experiencing.

Blogs Lucianne Loves

I have been reading Lucianne Goldberg's site Lucianne.com for many years -- certainly before I had ever even heard of a blog. It is one of the first places I go each day to find out what people are discussing in the world of news and politics. Most days Lucianne chooses one "blogtruth" of the day to feature in her must reads at Lucianne.com, but other than that links to blogs have are not posted on the site. Lucianne is, and has long been, a huge fan of blogs though. Now you can read the blogs Lucianne loves on her aptly named new site, BlogsLucianneLoves.com. Some blog posts from here and at Wizbang will be featured on the site, along with posts from many other blogs you all know and love. Congratulations to Lucianne on what I am sure will be one of my favorite daily reads.

Crossposted at Wizbang.

Thanksgiving Sweet Potatoes

I feel really guilty because for the first time in quite a few years I am not cooking tomorrow.  Not one thing.  Not hosting Thanksgiving dinner as I've done the past few years. Not even cooking a side or dessert to take to someone else's house.  I went back and forth over whether or not to cook, but everyone seemed to be going in different directions this year so we are just going to visit my mom who lives about an hour away and take her out to eat.  Hopefully my dad will stop in sometime this weekend on his way to the beach or on the way back.  To make up for my guilt I will share my sweet potato recipe with you all as I have done in years past.  There are few measurements in this one.  I typed it up off the top of my head one night a few years ago after making sweet potato casserole and pies (so where it says today or tonight it is referring to a previous Thanksgiving).  Enjoy!

Sweet Potato Casserole/Pie Recipe

I think that what makes my sweet potato casserole and pies really good is that I cook the potatoes whole in their skins first.  I never use canned sweet potatoes.Sweet potatoes are really cheap (I paid 29 cents a pound today) and are really easy to cook.  Continue on to read the recipes, but don't even bother if you want to use canned.  It just won't taste the same if you do and the texture and color are not as good either. 

I use my biggest pot (the same one I use when I make a big pot of homemade soup) and put as many sweet potatoes in it as will fit (eleven tonight).  These are sweet potatoes you buy in the produce section, and I boil them whole with the skin still on.  Add water and boil for at least 30 minutes, and up to an hour, until the potatoes are cooked through and somewhat soft. The boiling time will depend on the number of potatoes and the size of the potatoes. I just check  one potato on top periodically by inserting a small paring knife until the potato feels soft inside.  When ready, remove pototoes from heat and drain off water.  Run some cool water over the potatoes and let them sit in it for a few minutes.  Pour that water off and then begin to peel while potatoes are still warm.  Be very careful because the insides are very hot.  I cut off the very tip of each end, then I use my paring knife to cut a slit in the skin the length of the potato.  I then carefully remove the skin by hand.  It should slide right off, losing none of the potato. 

I then place the peeled potatoes into a large mixing bowl and mash them with my potato masher or a large fork.  If they have cooked long enough they should be very easy to mash.  Add to the potatoes one stick of butter melted. Add two cups (or a bit more, to taste) of granulated sugar, a cup of evaporated milk, four eggs, and a teaspoon of vanilla.  You can add a bit of cinnamon if you choose, but it is not necessary.  Pour sweet potatoes into two 2 qt. casserole dishes. If using pecan topping, which I do because it is absolutely delicious, spoon topping over casserole. Cover with casserole lid and cook in 350 degree oven for forty minutes.Remove lid near the end of baking so that topping will be crunchy. If using marshmallows, bake the casserole for forty minutes, then top with marshmallows and put back into oven uncovered and brown lightly.

Pecan topping recipe (enough for 1 casserole):   mix together 1 c. light brown sugar,1/2 stick of melted butter, 1 c. chopped pecans and 1/2 c. flour.  Spoon over casserole and bake.

Instead of making two casseroles (they are very large and one will feed a lot of people), you might want to do as I did tonight and after pouring potatoes into one casserole dish, use the remaining mixture to make pies.  Add two more eggs to the potato mixture and a little cinnamon and pour into two unbaked 9 in. pie shells.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until set.  If you don't need two large casseroles or pies, save half of the mixture and freeze in plastic freezer container.  Then whenever you want to make a casserole or two pies, just thaw and continue instructions above.  Or you can pour mixture into unbaked  pie shells, cover and freeze until ready to bake.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I use my biggest pot (the same one I use when I make a big pot of homemade soup) and put as many sweet potatoes in it as will fit (eleven tonight).  These are sweet potatoes you buy in the produce section, and I boil them whole with the skin still on.  Add water and boil for at least 30 minutes, and up to an hour, until the potatoes are cooked through and somewhat soft. The boiling time will depend on the number of potatoes and the size of the potatoes. I just check  one potato on top periodically by inserting a small paring knife until the potato feels soft inside.  When ready, remove pototoes from heat and drain off water.  Run some cool water over the potatoes and let them sit in it for a few minutes.  Pour that water off and then begin to peel while potatoes are still warm.  Be very careful because the insides are very hot.  I cut off the very tip of each end, then I use my paring knife to cut a slit in the skin the length of the potato.  I then carefully remove the skin by hand.  It should slide right off, losing none of the potato. 

I then place the peeled potatoes into a large mixing bowl and mash them with my potato masher or a large fork.  If they have cooked long enough they should be very easy to mash.  Add to the potatoes one stick of butter melted. Add two cups (or a bit more, to taste) of granulated sugar, a cup of evaporated milk, four eggs, and a teaspoon of vanilla.  You can add a bit of cinnamon if you choose, but it is not necessary.  Pour sweet potatoes into two 2 qt. casserole dishes. If using pecan topping, which I do because it is absolutely delicious, spoon topping over casserole. Cover with casserole lid and cook in 350 degree oven for forty minutes.Remove lid near the end of baking so that topping will be crunchy. If using marshmallows, bake the casserole for forty minutes, then top with marshmallows and put back into oven uncovered and brown lightly.

Pecan topping recipe (enough for 1 casserole):   mix together 1 c. light brown sugar,1/2 stick of melted butter, 1 c. chopped pecans and 1/2 c. flour.  Spoon over casserole and bake.

Instead of making two casseroles (they are very large and one will feed a lot of people), you might want to do as I did tonight and after pouring potatoes into one casserole dish, use the remaining mixture to make pies.  Add two more eggs to the potato mixture and a little cinnamon and pour into two unbaked 9 in. pie shells.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until set.  If you don't need two large casseroles or pies, save half of the mixture and freeze in plastic freezer container.  Then whenever you want to make a casserole or two pies, just thaw and continue instructions above.  Or you can pour mixture into unbaked  pie shells, cover and freeze until ready to bake.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Going Rogue at Ft. Bragg

Yesterday I drove down to Fayetteville to visit my friend, milblogger Sarah at Trying to Grok, and to attempt to see Sarah Palin on her book tour stop at Ft. Bragg. Sarah and I headed to Ft. Bragg a little after 8:30. When we were going through the gate the security guy asked us if we were going to get a book signed. Then he said something about selling it on eBay. I laughed at the time, but when I got home I checked and evidently there are quite a few people doing just that. It was pretty interesting looking at the stories accompanying some of the books for sale. There was a two book signing limit and most everyone I saw in line had two books so there will likely be more for sale as people sell one book to pay for the one they kept. Capitalism at its finest.

Since my friend Sarah is pregnant and did not think she would be able to stand in line long enough to make it to the signing, and because I was hoping to report the behind the scenes workings, I asked a friend who knows people in the Palin camp if it would be possible to get a quick word with her. I had not heard back from the Palin people by the time we left for Bragg, but as we were waiting in line at the gate I got a call on my cell phone from someone on the Palin advance team. He said he would meet us in the parking lot.

We were taken into the PX "mall" up to the area where the book signing would be taking place and were given a place to sit while we waited for her arrival. From that vantage point we could see the activity of the advance team. We were right next to the section partitioned off for media. Shortly after we arrived we saw the media begin to trickle in. They were not there long before they began interviewing those standing at the front of the line -- people who showed up around 6 p.m. the night before the signing.

Before long you could see the Palin bus pull up right in front of the big glass entrance. That really got people buzzing about. Shortly after that a small group of people came through the doors just in front of Palin. Then Palin came in and came directly to me and Sarah and another blogger (from Conservatives for Palin). She shook our hands, waved to the crowd and went to work. She got in place at the signing desk and the line began moving. The advance team had set up a separate table to hold people's bags, coats and umbrellas so that they would have nothing but their books in their hands when they went to the signing table.

It was really interesting, and impressive, how efficiently the staff handled the event. There were thousands of people at the event. I heard the numbers 1000 and 1200 on the news all day, but there were easily many times that number. Later in the evening I saw one television news reporter say there were 4,000 in attendance. There had to have been at least that many. The line was insane. It was wrapped up and down the mall area leading up to the front of the PX where the signing took place, and continued out the door and wrapped around the back of the building farther than I could see. In many places, especially outside, the line was five or six people wide as people stood talking to each other while they waited.

Although each person only got a few seconds with Palin, no one appeared to be disappointed. Even those who had waited for many, many hours went away happy. It is no wonder. Palin looked directly at each person, shaking many of their hands (even though they were told Palin would not be doing that), and saying something to each as they went through the line. When there was a brief opening in the line as people were being prepared to go through, we were given a chance to get our books signed. Palin's assistant sitting next to her let her know who we were when we came through. Palin thanked us several times for what we do online and then asked which one of us had the husband currently deployed in Afghanistan. Palin then thanked Sarah for her husband's service.

Sarah Palin is a beautiful woman, but that is not what makes her special. She truly has a charisma about her. It is more than that though. She has an authenticity that allows her to connect. She has been governor of a state, and has been a candidate for the second highest office in the country, as well as now a multi-million dollar author of a best selling book, but everyone in that crowd knew that she had been attacked for many of the things they share in common with her. She has been criticized, and often ridiculed, for her conservative beliefs. Many of those people in line to see her share those same beliefs. Many of them share modest backgrounds like the one that preceded her career in politics.

I will describe the rest of our day at the Ft. Bragg book signing later today, including our chat with Palin's father.

Update: I posted additional pictures in an album on my Facebook page.  They are not great quality due to all the people who kept stepping into my shots and considering I don't know how to use my daughter's camera which I took with me, but they should give you some feel for the event.

Update II:  When I talked about people connecting with Palin, that has nothing to do with money or fame.  Obviously Palin now has more money and fame than most of those who would be standing in line to meet her, but I think people can imagine Palin doing the same things they do with their families and friends.  They can see her going to sporting events and goofing around with her kids (like I did this weekend).  Many of them can also see her being bright and hardworking enough to serve in the highest office in the land.  I think that combination is something people crave right now.  They don't understand how the politicians in power today can be so out of touch with their view of what their government should be doing.  Maybe some of them think that a hockey mom would understand that point of view better than an arugula-eating Harvard Law graduate whose wife wears $540 tennis shoes.  Go figure.

Update III:  Sarah posted her account of our Palin experience at Trying to Grok.  Sarah was shocked that we would receive the same treatment the traditional media received.  Okay, we got a little better treatment than most of the media there (we were even given chairs and offered Krispy Kreme!).  But I think that just goes to show how smart Palin and her team are.  They recognize and appreciate the power of new media and know that is one way to offset some of the crap they take from the MSM.  I also believe Palin really did appreciate Sarah's husband's service and the fact that she was pregnant while he is in Afghanistan.  In fact, that probably was as much to account for our extra special treatment as all the years we have been blogging. 

Update IV:  More from David at Conservatives4Palin who is glad we don't follow David Frum's advice.

Yesterday I drove down to Fayetteville to visit my friend, milblogger Sarah at Trying to Grok, and to attempt to see Sarah Palin on her book tour stop at Ft. Bragg. Sarah and I headed to Ft. Bragg a little after 8:30. When we were going through the gate the security guy asked us if we were going to get a book signed. Then he said something about selling it on eBay. I laughed at the time, but when I got home I checked and evidently there are quite a few people doing just that. It was pretty interesting looking at the stories accompanying some of the books for sale. There was a two book signing limit and most everyone I saw in line had two books so there will likely be more for sale as people sell one book to pay for the one they kept. Capitalism at its finest.

Since my friend Sarah is pregnant and did not think she would be able to stand in line long enough to make it to the signing, and because I was hoping to report the behind the scenes workings, I asked a friend who knows people in the Palin camp if it would be possible to get a quick word with her. I had not heard back from the Palin people by the time we left for Bragg, but as we were waiting in line at the gate I got a call on my cell phone from someone on the Palin advance team. He said he would meet us in the parking lot.

We were taken into the PX "mall" up to the area where the book signing would be taking place and were given a place to sit while we waited for her arrival. From that vantage point we could see the activity of the advance team. We were right next to the section partitioned off for media. Shortly after we arrived we saw the media begin to trickle in. They were not there long before they began interviewing those standing at the front of the line -- people who showed up around 6 p.m. the night before the signing.

Before long you could see the Palin bus pull up right in front of the big glass entrance. That really got people buzzing about. Shortly after that a small group of people came through the doors just in front of Palin. Then Palin came in and came directly to me and Sarah and another blogger (from Conservatives for Palin). She shook our hands, waved to the crowd and went to work. She got in place at the signing desk and the line began moving. The advance team had set up a separate table to hold people's bags, coats and umbrellas so that they would have nothing but their books in their hands when they went to the signing table.

It was really interesting, and impressive, how efficiently the staff handled the event. There were thousands of people at the event. I heard the numbers 1000 and 1200 on the news all day, but there were easily many times that number. Later in the evening I saw one television news reporter say there were 4,000 in attendance. There had to have been at least that many. The line was insane. It was wrapped up and down the mall area leading up to the front of the PX where the signing took place, and continued out the door and wrapped around the back of the building farther than I could see. In many places, especially outside, the line was five or six people wide as people stood talking to each other while they waited.

Although each person only got a few seconds with Palin, no one appeared to be disappointed. Even those who had waited for many, many hours went away happy. It is no wonder. Palin looked directly at each person, shaking many of their hands (even though they were told Palin would not be doing that), and saying something to each as they went through the line. When there was a brief opening in the line as people were being prepared to go through, we were given a chance to get our books signed. Palin's assistant sitting next to her let her know who we were when we came through. Palin thanked us several times for what we do online and then asked which one of us had the husband currently deployed in Afghanistan. Palin then thanked Sarah for her husband's service.

Sarah Palin is a beautiful woman, but that is not what makes her special. She truly has a charisma about her. It is more than that though. She has an authenticity that allows her to connect. She has been governor of a state, and has been a candidate for the second highest office in the country, as well as now a multi-million dollar author of a best selling book, but everyone in that crowd knew that she had been attacked for many of the things they share in common with her. She has been criticized, and often ridiculed, for her conservative beliefs. Many of those people in line to see her share those same beliefs. Many of them share modest backgrounds like the one that preceded her career in politics.

I will describe the rest of our day at the Ft. Bragg book signing later today, including our chat with Palin's father.

Update: I posted additional pictures in an album on my Facebook page.  They are not great quality due to all the people who kept stepping into my shots and considering I don't know how to use my daughter's camera which I took with me, but they should give you some feel for the event.

Update II:  When I talked about people connecting with Palin, that has nothing to do with money or fame.  Obviously Palin now has more money and fame than most of those who would be standing in line to meet her, but I think people can imagine Palin doing the same things they do with their families and friends.  They can see her going to sporting events and goofing around with her kids (like I did this weekend).  Many of them can also see her being bright and hardworking enough to serve in the highest office in the land.  I think that combination is something people crave right now.  They don't understand how the politicians in power today can be so out of touch with their view of what their government should be doing.  Maybe some of them think that a hockey mom would understand that point of view better than an arugula-eating Harvard Law graduate whose wife wears $540 tennis shoes.  Go figure.

Update III:  Sarah posted her account of our Palin experience at Trying to Grok.  Sarah was shocked that we would receive the same treatment the traditional media received.  Okay, we got a little better treatment than most of the media there (we were even given chairs and offered Krispy Kreme!).  But I think that just goes to show how smart Palin and her team are.  They recognize and appreciate the power of new media and know that is one way to offset some of the crap they take from the MSM.  I also believe Palin really did appreciate Sarah's husband's service and the fact that she was pregnant while he is in Afghanistan.  In fact, that probably was as much to account for our extra special treatment as all the years we have been blogging. 

Update IV:  More from David at Conservatives4Palin who is glad we don't follow David Frum's advice.

Sarah Palin at Ft. Bragg

I had a great time in Fayetteville today visiting with Sarah from Trying to Grok and visiting another Sarah who rolled into town.  I have posted a few pictures I took on my Facebook page and will post a few here, along with an account of our little adventure, tomorrow so check back in then.

Thanks to the people on the Palin advance team for the hospitality.  I'll have more about that in my full post.

Keeping It Real -- Text Edition

Today my family went to Greensboro to attend a cheer competition where one of my daughters was competing. My other daughter, my nine year old, went to sit with her best friend and her parents, in another part of the arena.  She texted me the picture above of the great view from her seat and then texted that she couldn't see me from her seat.  Here is the text "conversation":

My daughter:  Where are you?

Me:  Sitting where we were when you left us.

My daughter:  I can't see you.

Me:  I am looking up at you and waving my arms.

My daughter:  I know, I see you now.  Stop, you look like an idiot.

The sad thing is that of my two kids, this is the one who doesn't generally think that I am an embarrassing dork.

MSM Special Treatment

When those in the MSM interview supporters of conservatives they get extra special treatment. Just watch as MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell grills, I mean interviews, a Palin supporter.

Here is O'Donnell's defense, via Newsbusters:

O'DONNELL: Well, her name was Jackie Seal and she voted in the last election, not 13 years old as some have suggested. And it is important to point out that when I walk and talk to a bunch of people up and down the line, I say "Who wants to talk on camera?" Some people say, "I don't want to talk." They're not ready to talk. Some people say, "I want to talk, So, I walked down and met that man who had the shirt that said Palin for president on it. And I said, "Is there a woman who will come and talk about Sarah Palin?" And he grabbed that woman and pulled her over. So, I did not choose that woman, it just so happens she had a shirt on and was confused about Palin's position on the issues. I think that is important to point that out. We do it with both sides of the aisle, sometimes people are connected to a politician or someone but know very little about them on the issues. This book wouldn't tell you about the issues, it requires reading. It requires examination. And so I think that that was a reflective moment in terms of finding out just how much people are either confused about the issues or didn't know about the issues. But, it is important to point out everybody we interviewed volunteered and that case, a previous voter and not 13 years old.

Jackie, the girl O'Donnell grilled has weighed in with the back story of the interview. She is 17 years old so those who identified her as 13 or 14 were wrong, but O'Donnell, who twice claimed she had voted in the last election, was wrong as well. Read her full detailed account. She definitely learned a valuable lesson.

In one day I met a role model, and met the liberal media and their crafty schemes. I fell prey to liberal bias, but I'd like to think I did an okay job. We always want do-overs, and I can assure you if I had a do-over with Miss O'Donnell you'd see a much more prepared (well rested) and ready to go at it side of this 17 year old. But unlike Norah I didnt have my note cards with me. I was forced to think on the spot and answer a gotcha question. Her goal was clear, make this teenager look like an uneducated Palin supporting buffoon. To liberals, and the 5 people who watch MSNBC she succeeded. To conservatives, she was the only buffoon during that interview.

I have no problem with a reporter asking the kind of question O'Donnell asked, as long as it is in context and is done equally on both sides of the aisle. I challenge O'Donnell to produce an example of her similarly questioning an Obama supporter. When I said "context" I was referring to the question fitting the type of interview. This was a reporter questioning a person in line to get a book signed. O'Donnell grilled this 17-year-old girl more vigorously than she does most of the liberal politicians she interviews. She regularly lets Democrats repeat their talking points on air without challenging or fact checking them. There are many instances when their talking points are demonstrably false, yet fail to even elicit a question from the "journalists" on MSNBC. Here's a bit of advice for those on MSNBC, start treating all your guests (including the liberal and Democrat ones) like Norah O'Donnell treated 17-year-old Jackie Seal and maybe the public will start taking you seriously. Who knows, if you did that maybe your ratings would even improve.

Crossposted at Wizbangblog.com.

The 2009 CMAs

I am loving the CMA awards this year.  Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are great hosts.  I have not yet been able to find a video of their duet "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Kanye" but will post it when I do. 

There is a really good live blog here which includes the following line, "Jamey Johnson still looks like a homeless person who wandered into the Sommet Center."  I love Jamey Johnson, but my kids said almost the same thing while we were watching, but instead of limiting it to Johnson, said "there are so many people there who look like hobos." 

It is really cool that Darius Rucker won for new artist, even though he is far from new.  He is new to country though and has had an incredible year, and I really like him so I'm glad he won.  I liked him when he was Hootie, too, and his sound really isn't that much different now.  I just about wore that first Hootie CD out.

There are some really cool performances tonight.  Daughtry and Vince Gill were especially good.  If you love country music tune in to ABC and enjoy. 

Update:  Here is the promised video clip.  Little Jimmy Dickens pulled a Kanye, too. 

Probably the favorite of my kids (and one of my favorites too) was Jason Aldeen's "Big Green Tractor."  That has to be the sexiest redneck song ever written.  Oh, and they got a kick out of Taylor Swift and her fans singing "Fifteen" and Billy Currington's "People Are Crazy." It still seems strange to me that my kids love country music.  When I was a kid I thought country was for old people.  I liked a few songs like "Devil Went Down to Georgia" and some Alabama and Kenny Rogers songs, and of course, "Elvira," but could not stand to listen to country radio. I was converted to country music in college, believe it or not.  I guess it makes sense if you think about it.  My kids have Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood and Kenny Chesney.  I had Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn and George Jones.  Great singers.  Amazing singers, but not exactly anywhere close to my generation at the time.  Come to think about it I turned on to country when the new generation of Randy Travis, Alan Jackson and Dwight Yoakam came along.  Makes sense after all.

Wasn't it great seeing Barbara Mandrell for the first time in a long time and hearing Martina McBride sing "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool"? 

Update II:  I didn't realize at the time, but GayPatriot was at the CMAs and tweeted with some cool pics.  I am so jealous, Bruce.

Happy Birthday to the USMC!!

Today is the 234th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. My husband is a Marine Corps vet so I have a special place in my heart for Marines. Take a minute today to thank a Marine for their service. (If you don't know any personally, there are some you may know as blog readers -- people like Steve Schippert and Bob Hamer.)

Better yet, help a wounded warrior with a contribution to the Soldiers' Angels Valour - IT program. Their annual fundraiser is almost over so they could really use your help today. I am on Team Marines and we have almost reached our goal. Here is a description of the work Valour - IT does (via Michelle Malkin):

Valour IT provides adaptive technology to help severely wounded vets recover faster, establish a support system, and regain their independence. Since the program began, every single dollar raised by Valour IT has been used to provide:

· 4,100+ voice activated laptops
· over 30 Wii systems
· and nearly 100 handheld GPS devices to wounded vets at:

Balboa Naval Hospital
Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton
Brooke Army Medical Center
Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital
Madigan RMC
Walter Reed AMC
National Naval MC (Bethesda)

and VA centers nationwide.

Cassandra at Villainous Company has a Marine Corps birthday post and roundup including links to posts from around the blogosphere.

In honor of the day, take a minute to read about Medal of Honor winner Corporal Jason L. Dunham, USMC or watch the following video of President George W. Bush awarding the Medal of Honor to Corporal Dunham, postumously.

Unemployment rate hits 10.2 percent!

The U.S. unemployment rate has now topped 10 percent. This has been predicted for a couple of months now, but still YIKES! Of course Obama warned us that if we did NOT pass the stimulus bill our unemployment rate would reach 9 percent. Too bad he didn't tell us that if we DID pass it, it would exceed 10 percent.

Update: Mark Tapscott makes the argument that unemployment is now a leading indicator.

Unemployment has hit 10.2 percent, the highest level since the 1983 recession. Obama administration officials will no doubt try to spin this latest bad economic news by noting that unemployment is typically a "lagging indicator." That was true in the old days, but it won't cut it in the age of the global economy and Internet-driven 24/7 news cycle. Unemployment may now be something of a leading indicator because business executives make decisions about whether to invest in new jobs much more quickly and based on vastly more data.

This is crossposted at Wizbang where Kim Priestap adds an interesting (and scary) thought.