Here is a partial (because I'm sure I'm not remembering some) list of what my dog Snickers has consumed while I've been gone - she always figures out the new way I've used to hide food from here - soon I'm sure she will figure out how to pull the step stool over, set it up, and get on the top of the refrigerator, which is the only place left I have to put food besides my (full) kitchen cabinets.

1) 6 chocolate chip peanut butter muffins, baked and sitting in a Ziploc bag, on the dining room table. The bag had not been moved, and was unzipped, with not a crumb left inside or anywhere. (This was when I had first gotten her, and was unaware at how inventive Aussies and Aussie mixes can be.)

2) A whole loaf of freshly baked, still-warm zucchini loaf, left on the butcher block table in the kitchen, still in the baking tin, left unattended while I ran the second loaf upstairs to my landlady. The tin was sideways on the ground, with nary a speck left. I was only gone 5 minutes.

3) Granola Bar - left on my dash in the car while I got out to dump trash - total gone time: 30 seconds.

4) Ripening tomatoes in a bowl from my garden on the kitchen counter - about 4 1/2 feet up. Total amount left: 1 gnawed kohlrabi, on the floor, which she apparently gave up on. She doesn't have the best teeth; she only has two big upper canines left, from chewing rocks and her chain non-stop before I adopted her.

5) Dehydrated cabbage from my garden; stored on the bookshelves in the dining room, specifically put up there in a Ziploc plastic lidded bowl, to keep it away from her. Bowl found on ground, with teeth marks on the tab of the plastic lid.

6) The dog food in her bin - I got one of those big plastic bins with a door so that she wouldn't help herself, but didn't lock the door. One day not long ago, she looked at me, looked at the dog food bin, and I said, "Okay - it's not time yet. You have to wait." Whereupon, when I looked down next, she had pawed the door open, gotten some kibble with her mouth, and let the door slam back shut. The door now has a pen in the lock part to prevent her from opening the door.

7) How many ways has my Snicker boo-boo learned to get to the cat food dish? I used to keep it on the toilet tank, until I found dirty dog paw prints on the toilet lid one day. So, every morning, I rolled the TV cart (which had about a 2 foot opening below it) in front of the bathroom door frame. (I didn't have a door to the bathroom where I used to live). She managed to squeeze herself into and through that small opening. So, I stuffed a big comforter into the hole to block her. Next day? Comforter pulled out and discarded, cart moved about 18 inches from door, cat food eaten.

When we moved to Fairbanks, I started putting the cat food dish on the dining room table, backed up to the bookshelf, so the dog couldn't reach it. A couple of months later, I came home to the dish on the floor upside down, with not a speck left.  So, I put the cat food on the high bookshelf, over the dining room table, where the cat has to jump 5 feet to get to it. The bowl was on the floor upside down the next day. Now, it's *inside* the bookshelf, as far back as it can go, about a foot.

8) Finally, (the following is not for the squeamish)  Snickers exhibits the (apparently) fairly typical Aussie trait (or maybe it's just a dog trait?) of eating out of the cat litter box. I've tried many things to keep the box away from her and still make it accessible to the cat, including keeping the closet door the box is in closed to the point that only a cat-sized person can squeeze through. Guess you can guess by now - my little girl guard dog was caught yesterday coming out of the office with scoopable litter stuck to her puss.

It's really silly how goofy I feel about this dog - Not even the litter thing puts me off. Guess that means I'm a dog person, just a bit?

_____

It's Friday, I'm off, and I've not posted anything fun for a while. So...

Chime in! Which of the following online hymns is the worstest? Rate them from 1 to 5 6 7.

(1 for bad, 2 for worse, 3 for worst, 4 for worster, 5 for worstest)

(Update per Andy's recommendation: 6 for worstestest)

(Update per Ryan's recommendation: 7 for "my eyes are bleeding")

A. Dean Martin Meets Charles Wesley

B. Sing for Change

C. Jesus Is My Friend

D. I Give You Freedom

E. Disco Power/The Renewed Mind is the Key

F. Hewn Out the Mountain (updated per Andy's recommendation)

G. Stinky Feet and Stinky Worship (updated per Ryan's recommendation)

Notes:

• Feel free to explain your votes. Or not.
• MTC does not recommend any of these songs or performers. Indeed, listen at your own risk, as these jingles have been echoing in my mind for several weeks.
• Write-in votes are acceptable. If there's another online religiously-themed song that we should be considering for the "Worsest" designation, by all means, link to it. (As long as I didn't write it. Wise guys.)
• For readers of a less, um, Reformed bent, we will allow you to assign a "0" to any of the videos that not only don't offend you but actually inspire you.

(Update---HT: Too many blogs to name.)

Men det är väl bra.

There must be some rule book somewhere that states thou shall procreate asap after the wedding.  And if I tell people, “one day we will but we’re enjoying ourselves right now” it’s like there’s something wrong with you.  The glares, the puzzled glances - it’s enough to drive anyone a little bit mad.  I was at a bridal shower a couple of weeks ago and a friend’s new born baby was in attendance – sweet little thing (see, I can think babies are cute) – and someone (thank you by the way) suggested I hold him.  I have to admit, babies scare me.  It’s their fragility that scares me.  I worry if I lean their head on an awkward angle or take too long to make them comfortable I’m liable to hurt them.  I obliged and held the baby; he lasted about three seconds before crying.  Three seconds!  His mom was extremely kind and said he was hungry and I appreciated the consoling but I knew that wasn’t the only thing.

Clearly, there are some things to work out here on my end before I embrace the possibility of pregnancy.  There are women who naturally cling to babies, toddlers, children period and there are those who grow into it.  I’m the latter (in case that wasn’t obvious) and so what if it takes me longer to get used the idea of carrying a live human being inside of me.  And to the inquisitors, I’ll try and reduce the number of loose sweaters I wear (thank goodness I don’t own that many) and you’ll know when my bun starts to bake.

MANILA, Philippines—Cadbury chocolates  have been removed from shelves in Hong Kong after tests “cast doubt” on their safety. British chocolate maker Cadbury on Monday became the latest foreign company to be hit by China’s tainted milk scandal, ordering a recall of its Chinese-made products.  In Manila, the Department of Health Monday announced that it was expanding the list of banned milk and milk products to include those not necessarily manufactured in China, but were using milk-based ingredients coming from that country. We will make sure that the list will be forthcoming and this will be longer each day,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told lawmakers at the House subcommittee hearing on his agency’s proposed budget for 2009.  Cadbury said in a statement issued by its Singapore office Monday that tests had “cast doubt on the integrity of a range of our products manufactured in China.” t was not immediately clear whether the tests established the presence of the industrial chemical melamine. But Cadbury said it had recalled 11 chocolate products made at its factory in Beijing, which were distributed in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia. Hong Kong’s government ordered that the chocolates be immediately removed from shelves. China’s recent food safety scandal started with the discovery of melamine in baby milk powder. Four deaths have been blamed on melamine-laced milk, and some 54,000 children have developed kidney stones or other illnesses after drinking the contaminated baby formula.

Two US food makers were, meanwhile, investigating Indonesian claims that high traces of melamine had been found in Chinese-made Oreos, M&Ms and Snickers, but stressed the same goods had tested negative in other Asian countries.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080930-163674/Cadbury-recalls-its-chocolates

CFIA recalls cookies because of tainted milk scandal in China
The Canadian Press - 10 hours ago
OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recall of Chinese products linked to the tainted milk scandal in China continued Tuesday.
Keeping our food safe The Gazette (Montreal)
Chinese cookies recalled over melamine fears National Post
United Press International
all 22 news articles »  Langue : Français »

Made-in-China pretzels recalled in Ontario
Canada.com - 4 hours ago
Two varieties of coated pretzels made in China have been taken off of Ontario store shelves after testing positive for the harmful chemical compound melamine.
Consumers grow warier Toronto Sun
CFIA recalls cookies because of tainted milk scandal in China The Canadian Press
Toronto Star - United Press International - The Gazette (Montreal) - 680 News
all 47 news articles »  Langue : Français »

三聚氰胺毒奶遺害愈揭愈厲害，現在連 M&M's 朱古力、Snickers，以及 Oreo朱古力威化條，均被驗出極高濃度的三聚氰胺。其中三聚氰胺濃度，新聞說Snickers三聚氰胺含量相對低，一包59克重的朱古力約含1.44毫克三聚氰胺，幼童一日吃3包便有可能出事。一包重90克（5條裝）的Oreo朱古力威化條，含有32.94毫克三聚氰胺，50公斤成人吃一包已超標，重10公斤幼童吃半條也有危險。

含856.3ppm三聚氰胺的M&M's牛奶朱古力毒害更驚人，一包48克重朱古力，竟含41.1毫克三聚氰胺，成人吃四分三包已可出事，幼孩甚至吃數粒也有機會生腎石。

面對如此困境，我們避得了多少？有朋友說外國貨雖然貴一點但始終有保障，風險低很多。聽到朋友這樣說，忽然覺得心裡有點不舒服。中國人，吃中國人出產的東西竟然會出事。現在中國人的寶寶也要靠吃外國的奶水長大。想一想，真的有點悲從中來。

Temuan BPOM setempat akan Melamin yang biasanya digunakan untuk industri plastik itu ternyata tidak hanya terdapat pada susu bubuk formula bayi saja, melainkan pada ribuan produk lain yang menggunakan susu sapi tersebut sebagai bahan baku produksinya seperti biskuit, wafer, minuman kalengan maupun permen dan ironisnya, ribuan produk berbahaya tersebut tersebar di berbagai benua mulai dari Asia hingga Eropa

Beberapa negara seperti Singapura, Malaysia, Korea Selatan dan seluruh negara Eropa yang tergabung dalam Perserikatan Negara-Negara Eropa telah resmi melarang masuknya susu, makanan dan minuman dari Negara tirai bambu tersebut dan menarik seluruh produk berbahaya tersebut dari tangan masyarakat beberapa jam pasca temuan melamin tersebut

Well di Indonesiaku tercinta, larangan resmi masuknya produk asal Cina belum juga terdengar, bahkan penarikan akan makanan dan minuman yang marak menghiasi rak-rak supermarket maupun toko tradisional masih mengundang kritik dari Lembaga Perlindungan Konsumen Indonesia karena dinilai lamban dan bertele-tele. Namun dikeluarkannya daftar produk yang diimpor dari Cina oleh BPOM cukup melegakan, meskipun disangsikan  dapat  diterima oleh ribuan penduduk didaerah pelosok Nusantara yang masih minim keinginan untuk membaca apalagi mencari informasi terkait lewat internet

Berikut daftar produk makanan mengandung susu asal China yang terdaftar di BPOM kita (sumber: Kompas on-line 24/09/08)

1.Jinwei Yougoo, susu fermentasi, nomor registrasi ML 206509001378
2.Jinwei Yougoo, susu fermentasi, nomor registrasi ML 206509002378
3. Jinwei Yougoo, susu fermentasi, nomor registrasi ML 206509003378
4. Guozhen, susu bubuk full cream, nomor registrasi ML 805309001478
5.Meiji Indoeskrim Gold Monas, es krim, nomor registrasi ML 305509001116
6.Meiji Indoeskrim Gold Monas, es krim, nomor registrasi ML 305509002116
7. Oreo, stick wafer, nomor registrasi ML 227109001450
8. Oreo, stick wafer, nomor registrasi ML 827109001450
9. Oreo, chocolate sandwich cookie, nomor registrasi ML 227109001552
10. M&M’s, kembang gula, nomor registrasi ML 237409005385
11. M&M’s, kembang gula, nomor registrasi ML 237409002385
12. Snickers, biskuit, nomor registrasi ML 227109009385
13. Dove Choc, kembang gula, nomor registrasi ML 237409001385
14. Dove Choc, kembang gula, nomor registrasi ML 237409003385
15. Dove Choc, kembang gula, nomor registrasi ML 237409004385
16. Merry X-Mas, kembang gula, nomor registrasi ML 238409003311
17. Penguin, kembang gula, nomor registrasi ML 238409005311
18. Nestle Nesvita Materna, makanan ibu hamil dan ibu menyusui, nomor registrasi ML 862109001322
19. Nestle Milkmaid, selai susu, nomor registrasi ML 234709002206

Namun produk dengan merek yang sama yang diproduksi di dalam negeri dengan kode nomor registrasi MD tetap boleh beredar dan dikonsumsi.

Selain mengeluarkan keterangan tentang merek produk China yang terdaftar, BPOM juga mengumumkan produk China mengandung melamin yang diumumkan oleh Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) Singapura.

Ketigabelas produk tersebut adalah:
1. Natural Choice, Yoghurt Flavoured Ice Bar With Real Fruit
2. Yili Bean Club, Matcha Red Bean Ice Bar
3. Yili Bean Club, Red Bean Ice Bar
4. Yili Prestige Chocliz, Dark Chocolate Bar
5. Yili Super Bean, Red Bean Chestnut Ice Bar
6. Nestle Dairy Farm, susu UHT
7. Yili High Calcium, susu rendah lemak
8. Yili High Calcium, susu
9. Yili 250 ml, Pure Milk
10. Yili 1 liter, Pure Milk
11. Dutch Lady, Strawberry Flavoured Milk (Ex.Cina, Hongkong, Singapura)
12. White Rabbit, kembang gula
13. Yili Choice, Dairy Frozen Yoghurt Bar With Real Peach and Pineapple Fruit Pieces.

2 minggu setelah kasus susu bermelamin mencuat di China, Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan menarik 28 produk yang dicurigai berbahaya.

Mengutip situs resmi Departemen Kesehatan RI, masyarakat diminta tidak mengkonsumsi produk-produk di bawah ini, sebelum ada keterangan hasil pengujian resmi dari pemerintah. Saat membeli barang, perhatikan nomor registrasinya.

PRODUK CHINA MENGANDUNG SUSU YANG TERDAFTAR DI BADAN POM

Yang perlu diperhatikan, kode registrasinya dimulai dengan huruf ML. Sedangkan untuk produk-produk terkait yang kode registrasinya dimulai dengan huruf MD, TETAP AMAN UNTUK DIKONSUMSI.

Sedangkan produk-produk yang mengandung melamin, seperti yang diumumkan oleh Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority/AVA Singapura adalah:

This Halloween, Snickers could give “sugar buzz” a whole new meaning. If parents don't pay attention, their kids may get more buzz than they bargained for, as the newest trend in candy is the addition of caffeine and vitamins to the ingredient list. This year, Mars brand Snickers launched their new Limited Edition Snickers Charged, with 60 milligrams of caffeine, taurine and other B vitamins. Other candies boast ingredients such as electrolytes and ginseng. While reaction to taste is mixed, recently there has been a surge of critical attention given to the marketing of the amped candy.

A timely Wall Street Journal article notes the many challenges faced by candy marketers, including concern for diabetes and obesity among children. Overall, sales of sugar confectionary dropped by 4% from over the past five years, while sales of energy drinks rose more than 400%, according to the article.

To stay competitive, the candy market has mimicked not only the ingredient lists of popular energy drinks, but the edgy promotions as well. For some critics, names and packaging are too suggestive of illicit drugs (a candy called “Crackheads"?), and many feel that caffeine is unsuitable for children, the primary market for candy companies.

Will Snickers pave the way for a whole new market of caffeinated candy bars? Does this candy bar controversy have enough legs to earn Snickers Charged a spot as one of the Most Memorable New Products of 2008?

2 sticks butter

3 1/2 c. flour

1 c. peanut butter

1 t. baking soda

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 t. salt

1 c. sugar

1 pkg. Snickers miniatures

2 eggs

2 T. vanilla

Combine butter, peanut butter and sugars using a hand-held mixer on medium until light and fluffy. Slowly add eggs and vanilla; mix until thoroughly combined. Mix in flour, salt and baking soda. Cover and chill the dough for 2-3 hours. Unwrap Snickers and divide into 1 tablespoon balls and flatten. Place Snickers in center of dough and wrap around dough. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Let cookies cool on wire rack.

Yields 5 dozen cookies.

• From the kitchen of ... Cindy

Speaking practically, acrylic is much more durable than glass. This is an important concern, especially at a movie theater, amusement part or any other place where children are your candy customers. Transparent acrylic bins can still provide the old-fashioned candy store feel of glass, while avoiding the risk of breakage.

If the penny-candy look isn't right for you and your space, we have other products blending the durability of acrylic with fun, modern styles. We have a selection colored acrylic bins in different sizes, a 30-bin rotating rack, and many other acrylic bins in creative shapes and sizes. You may want a larger main display, and a smaller selection for impulse buys at the point of sale.  We're sure you'll find something to match the look and feel of your display space -- or inspire you to redesign!

Of course, acrylic bins don't fit every need, which is why we offer this giant basket of Jawbreakers and this eye-catching lollipop tree.

Now that you've chosen the right way to display product, you'll need to fill your bins. We carry a wide selection of individual candies, so you can carry a wide selection!  We offer very popular brands of candy such as Hershey, Mars, Wonka, and Nestle, and a selection of Jelly Belly beans and dispensers.  We have bulk gummy candy, not just classic gummi bears, but butterflies, worms and blue rings, too.  We've already mentioned our jawbreakers and lollipops, but we also have individual candies like Airheads, Laffy Taffy, Skittles, Mentos, Nerds, Pop Rocks, Snickers, Milky Way, Kit Kat and more!

Have you seen our new line of small novelty toys? NoveltyDisplay.com has a growing selection of bins filled with cute novelties like rainbow worms, neutron lite-up balls, centipedes and critter balls.

Our toys and candy are showing up at amusement parks, video shops, movie theaters and retail stores all over! Give us a call at 1-888-468-0339 to talk about which display bins, candies and novelties are best for you!

Jag tänkte få bukt på min slöhet idag så jag tryckte i mig ett smaskigt snickers! Men vet ni?? Nu mår jag mest illa av det!

Snart e det babysim..har egentligen ingen ork idag..men Mella gillar det ju!

Hon måste vakna nu så jag hinner ge henne mat innan jue..MELLA!!!!!!!!

Ikväll kommer Johanna o Andreas hit! Taccos står på menyn idag! Det e ju ngt som vi i vår familj bara ÄLSKAR!! Så vet ni det! Men idag gott folk, är det inte maten som är viktigast!! Nej nej!! Andreas och Roger ska tävla i film buzz! O Andreas, om du klår han ska jag avguda dig resten av livet!! HAHA!!!!

Ni förstår, det e ingen som klår min man i Buzz när det gäller film o sånt!! Kommer självklart återkomma med resultaten!! Jag o Johanna..ja, vi får hålla oss till vinet;-) Så Johanna, Pumpa!!!!!!

Nej.nu rör sig min prinsessa...får nästan ge henne nu=)

Ha det gott!

PussÅkram

Somehow, anything Mr. T says comes out as funny to me. I don't know if it's immaturity, but I think if Mr. T ran for president I would vote for him just to listen to his speeches.

Well... maybe he could just start off as governor of California.

UPDATE: Whoever the crazy fool that mashed together the Saving Private Ryan clip is, he needs to learn how to take his mouse out of the middle of the screen! Also, I forgot to talk about the "controversial" speed-walking Snickers commercial, but honestly, I just think it's funny. People that speed-walk can't really say they're offended because, well, really? Speed-walking? That's a paradox in itself.

UPDATE 2: Get some nuts!

NV

Classic!

The flash on my camera really highlighted the goat cheese, huh.  Looks kind of weird.  Anyway, they were good.  I'm loving this Trader Joe's pizza dough.  It's so much easier than making it myself and it tastes the same.

We had salad, too:

Mine was kind of half eaten when I took the picture, sorry.

But by far, the best part of the night was this:

Snickers Ice Cream Bars! Yikes was I excited when I saw these.  I would like to blame them on Chris, much like the Reese's incident, but this was all me.  Look at this amazing thing:

It was so worth it.

And now I must go because Chris needs to use the computer to make believe he's a football coach and draft a fantasy team or some such nonsense.

The statement issued this week by Mars follows a similar announcement by its larger rival, The Hershey Co., which cited the spiraling costs of everything from cocoa and peanuts to fuel and utilities.

The privately held Mars did not say which products will go up in price, or by how much. But it said the majority of the price increases will take effect Oct. 17, while several other changes will be introduced through next March.

A spokeswoman for Nestle USA Inc. did not return calls requesting information on its prices.

Last week, Hershey said it raised prices on its products by an average of 11 percent, a move that it said it expected would hurt sales volumes.

Mars also announced a price increase in January, as did Hershey.

Prices increases have been a sensitive topic in the industry. Investigations into price-fixing allegations in the chocolate industry have been launched by U.S., Canadian and European authorities, prompting numerous civil lawsuits.

I will never get sick of them and think they are the best candy in the entire world.  They make me happy and can pretty much make me forget about anything else that is annoying me at the exact time of receiving them.  I basically enjoy life more when I've got M&M's on hand.  I could eat them instead of a meal daily-- but hold myself back because of their lack of real nutritional value. 

My favorite kind are the classic "plain" milk chocolate variety, but I do also enjoy the peanut, peanut butter, and almond ones from time to time.  I'm not a huge fan of the dark chocolate... or the crispy ones (but I don't really see them around anymore).  The mini M&M's are a disappointment.  I think in order to enjoy life, you've got to eat candy every now and then (okay, well, if you're me you'll eat it every day). 

I also think that a person's favorite candy is as important to remember as their birthday.  My mom is a Reese's Cup and Peppermint Pattie lady.  My husband is a big fan of Snickers and Twix.  I always make a point to remember my favorite peoples' favorite candy because nothing is better than showing up with the goodies randomly (that's what CVS is for, right?).

...Because they melt in your mouth; not in your hands!

Όταν λοιπόν η Mars κυκλοφόρησε το διαφημιστικό για τα Snickers δέχτηκε τέτοιον καταιγισμό διαμαρτυριών που το απέσυρε και το έβαλε στο ντουλάπι με τις χαζές ιδέες. Πόσο αστείο είναι να δείχνεις τον ξεχασμένο Mr. T να επιτίθεται με σοκολάτες σε έναν δρομέα που τρέχει με τη χάρη της στερεοτυπικής αδερφής; Πάρα πολύ, φυσικά. Πόσο κακό όμως κάνεις σε μία κοινωνία δείχνοντας πως είναι "fun & OK" να επιτίθεσαι σε ανθρώπους που δεν κουνιούνται καθώς πρέπει; Πάρα πολύ, επίσης. Καλά τους έκαναν λοιπόν και τους έκραξαν και ας βάλουν τώρα τα Snickers εκεί που ξέρουν να δούμε πόσο κουνιστά θα περπατάνε.

Αντίθετα η πολύ πιο ψαγμένη καμπάνια των Skittles, παίζει με την ιδέα μιας "αστείας" ομοφυλοφιλικής σχέσης αλλά όχι μόνο δεν ξεπέφτει σε στερεότυπα, αλλά φτιάχνει και φρέσκους χαρακτήρες χωρίς να προσβάλλει κανέναν. Μάθημα διαφημιστικής ευαισθησίας, για ένα πολύ δύσκολο θέμα.

This is definitely edgy and pushes the envelope and has many people talking, but is it in poor taste? I am not one to shy away from a controversial ad if it gets the target audience excited about the brand and it fits the overall strategy. Now, I have seen power walkers before and it does look - well - funny and less than masculine but in today's PC culture, should Snickers have ran this ad that could be misinterpreted as MR T attacking a wimpy man? How does that fit with the tagline of "Get Some Nuts" ? I don't agree with the homosexual lifestyle, I personally found the ad slightly funny, and think far too many people take themselves far too seriously, but I still don't think that Snickers exercised good judgement in this case and the advertisement doesn't work for the brand. They excluded a small and vocal segment of customers and opened themselves up for frivolous lawsuits.

Bottom line is the entire campaign is severely flawed because you see Snickers being thrown at or shot at people, and the victim is being berated. No one is eating or enjoying the Snickers! I see Snickers trying to follow the whole Man Law ads, but falls short. The ads don't show a reason to "Get Some Nuts", or a value proposition, just an angry Mr T attacking people with Snickers.

Here is another slightly funny ad that is just as edgy and could also be perceived as bashing Veterans, so where are the angry Veterans, with their protests? Why hasn't this ad been canceled? They could have been just as edgy without the misperceived portrayal of attacking homosexuals or wounded veterans.

All of the sudden, BOOM! I read a transcript on Rush Limbaugh's website and the mentioned article on the Wall Street Journal online and my bubble was deflated, exploded, destroyed, absolutely pulverized. Five Republican Senators have formed the so called Gang of 10 with five Democrat Senators and agreed to an energy bill compromise in the name of bi-partisanship. To make maters worse, the 5 Senate Republicans ADOPT politically correct, environmentally correct, anti energy ideas the Democrats want including allowing Peta and the ACLU to have a say in the energy debate! I was left thinking, how can experienced Republican politicians be this naive? The one issue raising huge waves nationally is pain at the pump. The one issue on Americans minds that was in sync with the Conservative tune was more energy production in the USA. One of the two issues that could potentially create a rift between Democrats (a Hillary Clinton nomination at the Democratic National Convention is the other) and their left wing environmental base is more local energy production: be it building new nuclear power plants, more power from coal, or more drilling for oil. Leave it to 5 Senate Republicans to side with the enemy, the enemy they were starting to catch up to, and dim the slight glimmer of hope they might defeat them in the coming elections.

Because of the Gang of 10 pact, after months of opposing any type of compromise on oil drilling, Obama now says he is in favor of bi-partisanship in an energy bill and McCain has to go out of his way to explain he's against the plan because it raises taxes. These 5 Senate Republicans in one single move took away the wind from House Republican sails who were having a blast shaming Democrats all over the country to re-consider expanding energy production. Now Obama can go to Hawaii on his week long vacation knowing the mainstream media will carry his water and grill the McCain Campaign on why these 5 outstanding Republicans Senators have sided with the Democrats and why other Republicans will not follow suit.

Comedian Dennis Miller on The Factor with Bill O'Reilly (Fox News) had what to me was a great segment and said that Obama should grow a pair of Snickers as the Senator seems whiny. The Snickers comment comes about because of the Homosexual Community's protesting, according to them, a perceived anti-gay bias on a Snickers commercial made by Mr. T about speed walkers that ends with "GET SOME NUTS". The commercial will no longer be aired because of the perceived bias and Miller said that the gay community should not be so sensitive. I might be off the mark and proven wrong in the end but Republican Senators Lindsey Graham, John Thune, Saxby Chambliss, Bob Corker and Johnny Isakson should grow a couple of Snickers, get some nuts, say they made a mistake and back out of the Gang of 10. No pun intended.