UPDATE: "Tell your Peeps to follow our Tweets"

www.Santo4Cooperstown.org "days away from launch". @SantoFans up on Twitter.

We've heard that development of the Santo4Cooperstown website we reported on last week has made significant progress and should be ready to "go live" in a matter of days.

Over the weekend it seems an agreement was reached to host the site and a beta version is, or will be, in testing this week. "Once all the glitches and hitches have been worked out the site will go live" a source told WPBC.

A source "very close" to the development told the WPBC staff that, "I think we will be up by September 1. Hopefully sooner if things go well. There is a lot to test."

WPBC notes that @SantoFans went live on Twitter Saturday to "provide updates and information" related to the Santo4Cooperstown movement. Cubs fans who use Twitter can "follow SantoFans" for updated info on the launch as well as links and alerts.

More Bad News on Pennsylvania Street

Like you needed any more proof the Cage-Liner's not worth the paper it's printed on, this just in ... delivering the bad news today on their website, local rag is kicking 23 more to the curb.

The lay-offs are a part of 600 pink slips that Gannett is sending out. New publisher, Michael Kane, made the announcement in an email.

First question that came to our minds here at the HQ: "Will Dennis be getting a pink slip anytime soon?"

You have to feel bad for the folks who are getting the axe. Hopefully, there is a bright future in new media for these people. It's always the hard-working grunts that pay for the failures of leadership that have turned a once proud newspaper of record into a collection of AP releases and public notices. The Pros are still willing to give the new guy the benefit of the doubt, but this isn't the start we had hoped for. We actually hope Mr. Kane can turn things around and give the community a real newspaper again.

When Schools are Outlawed, Only Teachers Will Have Guns

Dateline: Harrold, TX.

We're wondering about the whole 1,000 feet rule. Nonetheless, those gutsy school administrators in Texas are going to let the teachers pack heat. As life-long supporters of the NRA, we couldn't be happier - viva Winchester!

Read the whole article here.

Dungeons & Dragons and Pop-up Campers

I am not “normal” for a lot of reasons. One of my many quirks is people watching. I just can’t help it. When I see people I wonder about their voting and consumer habits. This is going to be a long post so bear with me.

A couple of weekends ago my family went camping in one of the many great state parks scattered across Indiana and Michigan. I could not help but noticing a couple of things…

• 
  Where are the tents? Everyone (but us of course) seems to have pop-up campers, pull behinds and 5th wheels. Does anyone even worry when it rains anymore?
• 
  Smoking. Holy cow, I know it is illegal in so many places that smokers feel like freedom fighters in the jungle. I would estimate at least half or more of the adults I observed were smokers.
• 
  NASCAR fans. I would say you were more likely to see a flag with a race car number on it than the stars and stripes attached to most of the campers.
• 
  Tattoos everywhere. Don’t want to make any stereo-types but I am just calling it as I see it.
• 
  Family activity abounds. There has been many a column, op-ed and whiny diatribe about the lack of real talking and family interaction seen in the press. Not at the campsite, fireside talks, throwing the football, fishing were all very common.

Yesterday I was in Indianapolis and was fascinated to see all the attendees to the GenCon event going on this week. What is GenCon you ask? Well, obviously, you don’t play Dungeons & Dragons, World of Warcraft, Magic the Gathering or any of the many other popular fantasy games. So what did I see? Basically, as I said earlier, stereo-types exist for a reason.

• 
  18-30 obese males. Not everyone was overweight but most of these guys have slain many dragons but not seen a gym.
• 
  Disposable income. If you are going to spend that much money on computer gaming equipment, miniature Orcs and comic books you are doing more than working part time at Best Buy.
• 
  Body odor. Ok, I know this may seem mean but if you walk around those tables you can not help but notice more than few guys who could use some of that Axe body spray (hint, hint, great target audience for the folks selling that stuff). Let’s face it, if you are spending 36 hours in front of your X Box 360 you are not going to have time to shower.
• 
  Swords, leather armor, chain mail, fart joke t-shirts, kilts. This is a group of folks who are clearly not afraid to express themselves in what they wear.
• 
  What the heck is ESPN? I seriously doubt anyone in there has any idea the Olympics is on or that football season is around the corner.
• 
  Highly intelligent. Eavesdropping on some conversations and watching some of the games you can not help but realize that these guys are smart. Encyclopedic knowledge of Chaos Space Marines and World War II German armored vehicles may not look good on a resume but stupid people could not master that much info.

So why would a political campaign care about these groups? Because voter participation and partisan ID is very low amongst both groups. We spend thousands of dollars trying to corner folks at home or get them to admit their party preference on the phone with mediocre results.

Maybe we should stop trying to find them and just go meet them where they gather? Maybe we should spend less time in door-to-door canvass and more time working the booth at the arts and crafts festival or home improvement show? Maybe we should stop treating events more like real campaign opportunities and less like troublesome interruptions to “real” campaign work.

I am just sayin’…you should think about it.

And Now For Something Really Important

Dateline: Chicago

BREAKING NEWS: Cubs fans and fellow flacks Mike Jezierski, Trevor Foughty, and Rick Wilson are currently in development of a new website and blog - Santo4Cooperstown.org - and we here in the WPBCHQ got a sneak-peak at the website design and layout. Needless to say, pretty friggin' cool. We were sworn to secrecy but we had our fingers crossed when promised so it doesn't count.

The website is a collaborative effort and the contents span everything from the All-Star Third Baseman's career from June 26, 1960 to his last major league appearance on September 29, 1974, to his recent work as WGN broadcaster and work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

The website has information on Ron's bio, stats, links, a page about how the HOF voting works and who votes, everything you'll need to know.

Despite our proclivity to frozen blender concoctions of questionable recipe, in our opinion: Ron Santo deserves to be in the Hall of Fame and these flacks are just the kind of knuckleheads that can't take no for an answer.

You can help do it. Cubs fans can join in, pitch in, volunteer, or just send notes of encouragement by dropping an email to rickwilson@cubsmvp.com.


More information as the story develops. Stay tuned ...

Obamamya$$! Are you kidding me? You call this a vacation?

Dateline:Hawaii

The Wall Street Journal reports that Obama-mama-mia is doing more than just soaking up the sun and swingin' the nine-iron while reliving his youth out on the big island.

The Obamassaiah took in a cool $1.3 million from a fundraiser at the swank Kahala Resort and Hotel.

Wish I could do that on my vacation. But then again, I never take a vacation.

Good Afternoon, Mr & Mrs America, and all the Ships at Sea ...

Dateline: Washington. This just in.

House GOP Leader Boehner points out that Dem leaders in the House are beginning to feel the heat from American Registered Likely Voters on the whole energy vote thing and are scrambling to come up with something that will allow them to "look like their voting for something."

Boehner points out in a blog post the likely Dem strategy to get a meaningless vote and then walk off the field:

The Hill confirms that Speaker Pelosi’s latest rhetoric on oil and gas drilling “indicated that she’s made a tactical move, not an unconditional surrender.” In reality, she has no intention of providing Members on both sides of the aisle the opportunity to vote on meaningful legislation to increase production of American energy to help reduce gas prices. Rather, she and her Democratic colleagues are preparing to load up a potential bill with poison pills that will continue to deny the American people of the increased energy production they expect and deserve.

While the GOPers in the House continue their Guerrilla Congress this week in Washington, the Dems are "strategerizing" how to fleece the American people (and the big, evil oil companies) Boehner points out:

As House Democrats determine their next move against a real vote on lower fuel costs, Americans are right to be skeptical. After all, the Speaker has derailed the FY 2009 appropriations process in order to avoid a vote on the GOP’s “all of the above” energy plan, used parliamentary trickery to avoid Republican amendments to bolster American energy production, and blocked consideration of the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566), the House Republicans’ comprehensive bill to increase production of American energy, promote more conservation and efficiency, and encourage the use of more alternative and renewable fuels.

Families and small businesses feeling the pain at the pump can be sure that the Speaker has more tricks up her sleeve to stop the production of more American energy.

How much longer, Madame Speaker? Americans will not wait until next year, not even next month. Do the right thing: Call Congress back for a single up or down vote on a freely debated, open rule, comprehensive energy bill.

GOP's Guerrilla Congress to Pelosi: "Hey, We're Still Here!"

The Battle of Ideas Continues! Meanwhile, Pelosi continues hawking "really bad" book.

Dateline: Washington. While Speaker Pelosi continues her "Save the Planet" world tour, hawking her critically panned new book and Michael Phelps continues his charge for 8 Olympic Golds - House GOPers continue on their relentless fight to move America toward Energy Independence.

House Republicans are once again gathering on the House floor to continue their fight for a vote on the American Energy Act. House Republicans and the overwhelming majority of the American People believe that Speaker Pelosi should cancel her book tour and immediately reconvene the House so that we can pass a bill to lower the cost of gasoline and energy.

This morning, at 11:00 a.m., House Republicans will continue to deliver their message directly to the American people on the House floor. So, if you happen to be in Washington today, drop by and be a part of the historic National discussion that the GOPers are engaging in.

H/T GOP Whip's floor assistant (What a hard-working guy ...)

Those Pesky Republicans

Dateline: Washington. This just in from the GOP Whip's floor assistant.

Republicans remain on the Floor, committed to fighting for lower energy costs.

As Democrats adjourned for a five-week vacation, 105 Republican Members, over half of our conference, have taken to the House floor to speak directly to the Americans visiting our nation’s Capitol. Thousands continue to cheer as House Republicans continue fighting for a vote to produce more American-made energy and reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.

What will it take for the Speaker to realize that she needs to allow a vote on increased American Production and help America’s families?

Not a single House Democrat has returned from vacation and Speaker Pelosi continues her book tour. (BTW, for those of you keeping track: Of 124 reviews on Amazon.com, 106 rate the book at 1 star of possible 5 - at this rate she'll have to pull a Jim Wright to sell enough to break even.)

Lemme freshen that drink, pal!

Just in case you needed a refresher:

Promise: “This leadership team will create the most honest, most open, and most ethical Congress in history” – Speaker-Elect Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), November 2006.

See Post below.

Another "Say" one thing, "Do" another moment

Yet another example of the most ethical Congress in history...

GOP Leader John Boehner exposes yet another example of the hypocrisy of the Pelosi led Congress in his blog. Read the whole post here.

NACNY PELOSI is in bed with Boone Pickens!!!

Speaker is investor in CLNE ... no wonder she does not want drilling in America.

Here's one you will not see on the Evening News on ABC, CBS, NBC or CNN et al. Read the whole story here.

Trust me, fellow flacks, hacks and others of questionable repute, I am not against people being rich. I love investors and investments. I want to be financially secure in my dotage. But, what really honks me off is people like Pelosi who say one thing, but do another, and get personal financial gain in the process. Don't get me wrong, Nancy is completely free to invest in Pickens' company. But to say that we need to increase the use of alternative (wind/solar/geo-thermal, etc.) energy and not allow a vote on drilling is just shameless - especially as millions of Americans continue to struggle with high gas and oil prices, and the prospect of the winter heating season looming just around the seasonal corner. It's one thing to cut back on driving, it's completely another to freeze all winter.

Another example of the "most ethical" Congress in history?

Drive-by ME-dia is irrelevant. Pence: We don't need the Main Stream Media.

New video from Business & Media Institute on the GOPer's take: MSM is irrelevant (where have you heard that before?)

Indiana GOPer Mike Pence says: "New media is taking this message to the country."

Another Indiana GOPer, Rep Dan Burton, suggests McCain should engage in the debate and call on Comrade Pelosi to bring everyone back for a vote.

New Video from GOP Guerrilla Congress

This just in from the redstate.com video vault. Members describe lack of participation from the "other side of the aisle" and they're naming names! Plus, "What you can do" to carry the message beyond the darkened Halls of Congress.

View Indiana GOPers Burton and Pence, among others, on the Guerrilla Congress energy debate here!

Only in Urban America: "dem stiletto wearin' 'ho's beat my babies"

This just in from the Smoking Gun, Dateline: Florida

AUGUST 8--Florida cops are searching for members of a girl gang that attacked two teenagers with high-heeled shoes, including an eight-inch brown stiletto. The assault occurred early this morning outside Club Crunk, a Fort Pierce nightspot that had refused admission to the victims, sisters aged 18 and 17 (the pair was out celebrating the older sibling's birthday). According to a Fort Pierce Police Department report, the sisters told cops that the girl gang "approached them...and began punching and kicking." The sisters, who identified their assailants as members of a group known as "The Rock Star Girls" and "The Cheerleaders," reported that three of the assailants removed their shoes and began beating them with the oversized heels. One attacker, swinging a silver shoe with a six-inch heel, remarked, "B, I am gonna kill you." The report adds, "'B' is street language for the English noun 'Bitch.'" The document, a copy of which you'll find below, notes that the mother of the victims had called 911 after her daughters were battered and told responding officers, "Look at my babies, they were beaten at the club by like 30 hoes."

Krauthammer: No Will to Drill

KRAUTHAMMER IS A FRIGGIN' GENIUS ...

(You gotta love this guy)

In Case You Missed It:

“The problem for the Democrats is that the argument for ‘do everything’ is not rocket science. It is common sense. Which is why House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, surveying the political rubble resulting from her insistence on not even permitting drilling to come to a floor vote, has quietly told her members that they can save their skins and vote for drilling when the pre-election Congress convenes next month. Pelosi says she wants to save the planet. Apparently saving her speakership comes first.”

H/T: WaPo editorial page (www.washingtonpost.com)

Read the whole article here

DATELINE: Washington ... GOP says " We're here, and we're waiting."

This just in from the GOP Whip's Floor Assistant:

"As the high cost of gasoline continues to cripple the American family, Speaker Pelosi goes forth with her vital book tour (Amazon.com rank #1,431).

Meanwhile, House Republicans will take to the Floor at 10 am to call on the Speaker to convene the House for an up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act, which will increase the supply of American-made energy, improve conservation and efficiency, and promote new and expanding energy technologies to help lower the price at the pump and reduce America’s increasingly costly and dangerous dependence on foreign sources of energy. "

Republicans to America: We're here, we're waiting, we're ready to vote on real energy reform. Where are the Dems?

UPDATED 10:42AM from Whip's Floor Asst: "As Speaker Pelosi autographs copies of her book, our Republican Leader, Rep. Boehner, will take to the floor in 10 minutes to demand an up-or-down vote to increase American energy production."

This gives new meaning to "Getting Hammered"

Well fellow Flacks, hacks, and Dumpster Divers, this is one for the Hall of Fame, and since it Thursday, the Official Start of the Weekend Party here at WPBC HQ, we thought we'd give you something to chat about over a cocktail tonight.

You really have to read this. I can't believe that the arresting officer in this matter could "Miranda" this guy with a straight face.

I completely lost it about the "motor oil" (you'll see what I mean). Times like this make you wish you had a camera! This is one sick dude, but you just can't pass up the opportunity to have a laugh at this space-waster's expense. The Police Report is absolutely the most hysterical thing I have ever read. You really have to appreciate these Police Officers ability to describe the scene so "deftly" - if it were you humble Dumpster Diver, it would have been much less circumspectly described - Hats off to the Fort Wayne PD.

The only thing better would have been to call in for an assist from the HazMat guys at DNR or something ... need to clean up that oil spill, right? Hell, I woulda called in the Fire Department and the Carpenter's Union too.

Seriously fellow party-goers . . . Enjoy!

She's a Celeb, and she's HOT! Um, yeah?

Paris Hilton for President, well duh.

It's official. We have finally got the none-of-the-above candidate.
Where do we sign the petition?

DATELINE: WASHINGTON ... This just in

At 3:00 p.m. today - Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be doing an online event to promote her new book "Know Your Power." Judging by the amount of enthusiasm from the folks who have been in the Chamber for the last couple of days, it is clear that Americans want the Speaker to use that power, cut short her vacation, cancel her book tour and come back to work. House Republicans are here and waiting - ready to work.

(H/T - Whip Floor Assistant)