SamSaid!

TOUR

     The Tour d'France is the most prominent sporting event in France. The International teams of Cyclists ride for miles and miles (three weeks) throughout France, through the Pyrenees mountains and finish in the heart of Paris. If there is one thing that rankles the anti-American French it is the sight of an American wearing the yellow shirt of victory in “their” race, but that is exactly what Lance Armstrong has done for 6 consecutive years. Now, the French are desperate for a winner  — of most anything. Imagine their mindset. Napoleon lost at Waterloo, Bismarck creamed them in the Franco Prussian War of 1870, they had to have the Brits and Americans to bail them out in WWI, they were crushed by the Germans in the “pitiful 14 days ” of WWII, and they surrendered to the Indochinese at Dienbienphu (Vietnam). And this is just a partial list.

     So guess what they want to do about the Tour d'France? They want to eliminate the Pyrenees Mountain laps which are the most difficult part of the race. This is the part that separates the men from the boys. This is where Lance Armstrong has said “bye-bye guys” and pedalled up the mountains on his way to victory in Paris. The French say that they want to change the race so that others would have a chance to win. Anyone except that insufferable American.

     I don't know how far along the proposed change has gone. Maybe it is just a trial balloon. After all, they just want to be fair to the other contestants (sure!). It is one thing for us to look upon them as a bunch of losers. It is something else for them to prove it. If they make the change, I don't think we should boycott the race. Just publish the name of the race in small print.

THE DAY AFTER

     The marathon campaigning has mercifully come to an end and the November 2004 Presidential election is history. I am very pleased that George Bush will still occupy the White House; and I am enormously pleased that John Kerry will not. At a minimum, we will have a First Lady for 4 more years. Had John Kerry won, we would have had a First Female, but not a First lady. And had John Kerry won, the breakfast meal of choice in the White House would probably have been the waffle.

     I think it is important that our military people respect the President as the Commander-in-Chief. Bush has that respect; Kerry does not.

     In a thousand years I would never have guessed that the Republicans would keep the White House, and also gain seats in the House and Senate. And neither would I have ever guessed that Bush would win with a 5 million vote margin in the popular vote. The Democrats have to be crushed because this is a scenario they never envisioned. Maybe they should send Terry McAuliffe on his way. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

     It is hugely gratifying to see that mainstream America has throughly repudiated the efforts of scumbags like Michael Moore and others of his ilk. In addition, the obvious bias of the major media outlets as shown by endorsements, recommendations  and slanted news did not pull the wool over the eyes of most Americans. Very reassuring.  

     Three or four Justices on the Supreme Court are in poor health or are failing. Adding new Justices and selecting a  Chief Justice are front burner issues. The battle of the Supremes is just around the corner.The real issue is whether the left wing Democratic Senators ( i.e., Kennedy, Leahy, Levin, etc) will try their closet filibuster trick again. We'll see just how far bi-partisanship will go.

     Today (election day + one) the campaign for the 2008 Presidential Primaries began. No doubt, Hilary Clinton has her tentative schedule pretty much in place, and Rudy Giuliani can't be far behind. But considering the make up of the “Red” states, Hilary doesn't have all that much more appeal than Kerry or Gore did, and Giuliani may not have the appeal that Geo Bush had. I wouldn't discount the appeal that Jeb Bush has  –  if he decides to make the effort. And of course, if the rules change, Arnold Schwarzenegger would be a helluva campaigner. There will probably be no shortage of high octane candidates willing to spend huge amounts. Another try at reform of camapign funding in prospect?? Better ask John McCain.

     I didn't get a lot of sleep last nite. Tonite I will sleep very peacefully.