The most vocal and vehement, of course, are Democrats.  Most seem to think-feel, with vein-popping, head-exploding rage, "How dare she!" and/or  with sneering, condescending snobbery, "What a joke!"  There are those who think John McCain must be mad, including some Republicans.

Let's look beyond Sarah Palin because she's pretty much an open book.

Let's look at the Democrat party itself.  It is made up of factions:  minorities, gays, women, unions, the poor, and any other group considered under-represented and unspoken-for.  This is good.  And bad.  Because each caucus has its own specific agendas that don't relate to other factions.   To exert party discipline, the leadership came up with "tolerance and diversity" -- that demands each faction respect other factions.  It sounds like they are calling for tolerance and diversity for all Americans, and perhaps it is, but in reality it is a slogan to rally Democrats among themselves.  This tolerance and diversity is meant for Democrats, not for outsiders.

The Democrat party assumes "ownership" of issues regarding women, minorities, the poor, et. al. (as if all women, all poor or all minorities were Democrats).  These issues are their inviolate property, their territory, and they are highly possessive and jealous over them.  The Democrat party is a like a high school clique:  tolerance and diversity for themselves (the rainbow coalition) and none for anyone else.   An outsider is anyone who is not a Democrat.  An outsider is someone who does not belong to the circle, the clique, the club.

It is one reason why Republicans use the term "elite" in a derogatory sense.  Republican feminists are not of the Sisterhood, as if feminism is only meant for just some women.  Republican blacks are not "real" blacks, as if "black" applies to only some people of African descent.  To Democrats, there is no such thing as a blue collar Republican, or an Asian Republican, or a poor Republican or a Jewish Republican.  If they were, they'd be Democrats.  But they're not, so they are outsiders.  Therefore, they do not count among those who should be tolerated in the name of diversity.  Weirdly, to Democrats, this isn't hypocrisy or illogical.

Sarah Palin ?  A fresh face, a woman, a spouse of a blue collar, union member, from a working class background and state college educated, someone who really is middle class, a grass roots PTA hockey mom with everywoman creds:  a Downs syndrome infant, a pregnant teenager, a son on his way to Iraq.  She's down-to-earth, likeable and...hot.   Everything the Democrats could wish for.  Except she's not.  She's a Republican, hahaha!  Even worse, she's not even a lawyer!

What happens?  There isn't just the usual and customary, more or less objective, and valid criticism.  It is not just that the criticism is scathing.  It is the volume (as in decibels) and the volume (as in massive amounts) of the criticism.  It is the venom, the vitriol, yes, even the hatred, of the criticism.

Why?  Because Sarah Palin has reminded Democrats that they have failed to promote one of their own grass roots, blue collar, "you betcha," PTA candidate.  While Democrats espouse lifting the little guy, they haven't yet lifted one to prominent public office, nor do they seem to admire those qualities when promotions are handed out.  Where's Mr. Smith when you need him?  (Of Republicans, you can't get more grass roots than Abraham Lincoln.  Then again, they didn't have country clubs in those days.  But if they did, I am sure Abe would have belonged to one.)  Another thing is Palin is not a lawyer.  She doesn't even try to sound lawyerly.  She doesn't have an Ivy League degree; she doesn't represent the urban, intellectual, East Coast-Left Coast constituency.  Wink.

You might argue that Barry is black, or at least half black, and therefore fulfills the "little guy" role perfectly.  Must I remind you, that in the beginning, some black Democrats thought and said he wasn't "black enough."  He wasn't from the hood; he didn't "sound" black; he did not specifically espouse the black caucus agenda; and thus appealed very much to non-black Democrats.  Elite enough for you?

Sarah Palin reminds Democrats that they indeed do not "own" minority issues.  Why else would female, feminist/post-feminist, professional TV commentators take such umbrage and offense, and vilify Sarah Palin for not staying home with her special needs children, rather than gallivanting across the country to run for high political office?!  (Yikes!)  Such views were very much, "How dare she!"  And why else would Democrats scorn Palin as a loser?  If she's such a loser, why waste a good scorning on her at all?  Best to stick scorn where it belongs:  on the outgoing Republican president.  But then, that's a backward strategy (or is it a tactic?) because he's leaving anyway.

To the Democrats who've read this far:  my apologies if I offended, for that is not my purpose.  My intent is to make you think.  I know very well ALL Democrats are not alike, and I am equally aware I exaggerate.

To the Republicans who've read this far:  your day will come.  I left the party for a reason.

So why is any of this funny?  After all that's said and done, ultimately, it's not.  But it is funny to see Democrat veins pop.  It is funny to see Republicans drink kool aid.  I think it's hilarious that Democrats are so jealous that they don't have a hot female candidate.  Yes, you heard me.  It all boils down to sex.

Ron Cortes/MCTPittsburg Penguins' Sidney Crosby celebrates a goal by Ryan Malone during last year's Eastern Conference Finals against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The NHL season starts Saturday in Prague, Czech Republic, with the New York Rangers taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning. This season begins after numerous offseason signings and trades that are sure to shake up the standings. Will the Detroit Red Wings repeat? How will the local teams, Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes, do? Which team is the dark horse? Which team will tumble into the depths of last place? Those questions will all be answered.

Following their Stanley Cup Finals victory, the Red Wings decided it would be best to sign another sniper -- Marian Hossa. Surely, this will keep Detroit in the upper echelon of the Western Conference, but things will not be as easy this year. Goalie Dominik Hasek finally retired and defenseman Nick Lidstrom is one year older, as is Chris Chelios. Age has always been a factor for Detroit but they are winners in Hockeytown. However, the Central division, which Detroit is a part of, has been retooled and looks very formidable for the defending champs.

The Chicago Blackhawks are the team to watch in this division, and in the whole NHL. With their two young stars, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane (both could be sophomores or juniors with us here at Virginia Tech), Chicago could easily challenge Detroit for the division crown. Its defense has been bolstered with offseason acquisition Brian Campbell, bringing offense to their blueline. The question mark for Chicago is its goaltender, Cristobal Huet. If he can match his second half of last season with Washington, Chicago will be in tremendous shape.

Let's head back east and take a look at the defending Eastern Conference champions -- the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pens lost quite a few players in the offseason, namely Gary Roberts, Ryan Malone and, of course, Marian Hossa. This is going to hurt them this year. They are in one of the most difficult divisions in hockey, the Atlantic.

Philadelphia is the main opponent for the Pens. There was not much movement by the Flyers except a huge contract extension for young franchise man Mike Richards. The past year allowed Richards and Briere to gel, and let Braydon Coburn break out into a top defenseman.

The Rangers lost a lot with Jaromir Jagr going to Russia. All of that experience and scoring is now halfway around the world. The pressure now solely rests with centers Scott Gomez and Chris Drury, both entering their second year in Madison Square Garden. The Rangers front office did help the loss of Jagr by bringing in Markus Naslund and blueliner Wade Redden. It will be a three-team race for the Atlantic title, but all three will end up in the playoffs. That means the Devils are out.

We will stay in the Eastern Conference and look at the Southeast division, won last year by Washington. Alexander Ovechkin proved again why he is one of the best players in the game, every bit as good as Sidney Crosby. There is a problem for the Capitals, though -- the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa yanked Barry Melrose away from ESPN to be head coach, and with a slew of signees things look bright for the Lightning. This is the dark horse for the NHL. It would not be surprising for them to make it to the Eastern Conference finals, if they can sure up the goaltending.

Wrapping up the east is the Northeast division. Montreal goalie Carey Price, said to be the second coming of Patrick Roy, proved his worth last year. The Canadians dumped some useless salary and are still attempting to bring in will-he-or-won't-he free agent Mats Sundin, your Roger Clemens of hockey. They should finish first in the division.

Montreal's archrival, Boston is going to turn some heads this year. Barring any more injuries, they will be contenders, along with Ottawa and Buffalo in the division. Ottawa is going backwards, and Buffalo is at a stalemate. Now is the time for Buffalo to make its move. Watch for a big trade deadline deal for the Bruins.

Back out west, we find the Northwest and Pacific divisions. In these two, you will find some of the best goaltending and defense in the NHL. It's all about hardnosed hockey here, with the occasional sprinkling of offensive firepower in San Jose and Detroit. The Northwest division lost a lot of talent and players shifted around to teams in the same conference. Anybody can win the Northwest -- it's that simple. Every team has a solid defense backed by exceptional goaltending.

The Pacific division is home to a perennial regular season powerhouse, the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks' problems come in the playoffs, and that is why they fired their coach Ron Wilson last year and brought in one of Detroit's assistant coaches, Todd McClellan, to give the team a new, winning attitude. This coupled with the addition of a revamped blueline -- Rob Blake, Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich -- means the pieces are once again in place for a deep playoff run.

The Stars and Ducks are going to give the Sharks everything they can handle, though, especially with goalies like Marty Turco and Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Anaheim did not make any huge moves in the offseason, and Dallas lost a few key players from their Conference Finals run. That will not stop them from competing though. Both teams have superior coaches.

With all of that said, this looks to be another fantastic hockey season. More and more fans are tuning in and attending games, bringing back the love for hockey in America. It is truly a great and exciting sport. There is nothing more emotional in sports than seeing players lift the Stanley Cup after a strenuous eight-month journey. That journey begins tomorrow.

- Ray

I.

The class is a comfort zone as usual. Everybody feels like this scene is some European-like masquerade celebration. Everyone's chatting to each other, and all, as the time goes by. Our professor clad like she's about to appear in Oprah sits nonchalantly on the side with a smile plastered on her Olay-pounded face. Ladies and gentlemen, this is A Class.

And where am I? I sit here observing everybody.

It bores me, amid all of this carefree feeling, I still have a jillion academic work to do. I want to find some time to rest, but I feel deprived. I feel like wearing an orange pajama queued in some death row.

II.

And so finally she enters. And slowly, my eyes stupidly twinkle as if to make an impression of a public sneak peek to my inner niceness. But shit, it's so fake.

She's stressed, apparently. With the class still in a non-class ambiance, she walks and walks around phoning someone. It's her boyfriend again, I ponder.

After that five minute call, finally she comes over to our just congregated chamber group to talk about our presentation. We are doing Cinderella, and I'm doing a rather challenging role Ma'am herself recommended me to portray: A (Gay) Fairy God...father. Flattery or humility? I have no idea.

But still, I'm excited to do our modern Filipinized version. I'm so happy to see her as Cinderella. That simple, innocent yet gorgeous charm. It's so... her.

III.

Strangely, she inhales and exhales, then she goes "I'm not doing Cinderella." I frown with everyone else as she breaks the news. She shatters my illusion of seeing her in a very appropriate role. No you can't, I argue. She starts narrating that this chamber theatre could ruin her relationship with his beau. "Mawawalan ako ng boyfriend," she debates.

She further discloses that her guy really was irate at the point when he read the script and found a kissing scene.

Hello? It's theatre, it's not reality. The group's Prince won't be any nearer to her lips like one inch. Our Prince isn't some annoying bastard anyway who'd take advantage. The boyfriend daw proposed an untimely break-up. Go ahead! Narrow-mindedness, I reflect.

IV.

And so, the boiling question is, "Who gets to be Cinderella?"

She walks out of the class and I follow her. She vents continuously as I nod and occasionally say, "It's okay. Yeah, it's okay."

Personally, I'm not allowing her to quit the role with such petty reason. It's acting but...

I say to her that I completely understand and we both go back to our group and talk about the casting reformat. In the end, she gets to be the other stepsister. Meanwhile, I'm still sinking in disappointment.

V.

Then we all decide to photocopy the script. The machine was three floors below. I volunteer to accompany her do the task. I feel aloofness over her because of that decision. I REALLY want her to be Cinderella.

Finally, we reach the photocopier. The place was quiet, only a few people were passing and I find it unusual. I ask her the real story and she divulges every detail of it. She finally declares, "Stressed na stressed na 'ko."

"Do you really want the role?" I ask aiming on a nangongonsiyensya appeal.

"Okay lang sa 'kin kahit ano," she answers.

With confidence, I pronounce, "You know what, I really imagined you to be Cinderella."

Her eyes sparkle as she apologizes.

Suddenly she feels a reflex by positioning her arms as if to hug me. As of this moment, she's haggard and might be feeling too tired to hug everyone else in the class.

The moment she raises her arms, she slightly withdraws from tiny inhibition so I actually spread my limbs such that she comes rushing to my chest. She isn't crying but she's so full of dilemmas I can never list down in one night.

She then mumbles words which I never understand.

But let's make it clear, she has a boyfriend in his late twenties. He's a lawyer. I bet he knew everything about stealing... one's heart.

ON OTHER NEWS...

Gwen Ifill, Washington Week PBS, to be moderator of the Vice Presidential Devates to be held tomorrow 10-2-08. Ifill is a biased author of a book supporting Barack Obama, Democratic Presidential Nominee, to be released on inagurration day. This makes her biased and shows a direct conflict of interest.

Ifill should be removed as the moderator of the Vice Presidential debates.

The Barack Obama book in the words of Gwen Ifill and PBS.

This clip is a taste of Ifill's biased sick humor.

Barack Obama was asked today about whether he did enough to get votes for the financial bail out bill in the House of Representatives. Obama said, "It would not be helpful for me to call Republicans because I tend not to be that persuasive on that side of the isle."

I think he has trouble providing UNITY because he is surrounding himself with people that have poor judgement. This is due to his poor judgement. Obama's supporters and advisers have a big responsibilities for the crimes committed at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Then there's BILL.

This is Former President Bill Clinton's attempt to help by getting out the "Cracker vote."  Clinton's words not mine.

Jonathan Martin of the Politico is reporting the CNN transcript of Larry Kings interview with Bill Clinton.

(cnn video: time marker 6:00 minutes) LARRY KING: "All right. (INAUDIBLE). Are you kind of feeling Jewish that you're waiting until after the Jewish holidays?" 

CLINTON: "No. But I think it would be -- if we're trying to win in Florida, it may be that -- you know, they think that because of who I am and where my politic base has traditionally been, they may want me to go sort of hustle up what Lawton Chiles used to call the cracker vote there. 

But Senator Obama also has a big stake in doing well in the Jewish community in Florida, where Hillary did very well and where I did very well. And I just think respecting the holidays is a good thing to do." 

KING: "I was just having a little fun."

CLINTON: "I know."

For those are not familure with this term. "Cracker" is a derrogatory term used by some black people to discribe a white person. The Democratic Media will not play this at all. They would rather report on SNF's lastest skit on incest in the Palin family.

Clinton is on the campaign trail today. He spoke about the financial crisis and said that what caused this crisis are due to regulation that, "Limit the amount of capital to be kept on hand" Your Administration did this or maybe you don't remember changing the rules created by your buddy Former President Jimmy Carter with the Community Reinvestment Act, so mortgages could be handed out and then turned into financial instruments to be traded on the stock market. 

Bill Clinton, "Every president does his, someday I hope her, very best to keep their campaign promises" Sure.

Bill Clinton on why Obama is right for President during this crisis, "He's got better economic advisers." (like Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelick, Jim Johnson all former CEO's and board members of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Countrywide)

And, "He's got Better ideas." What are they?

"First he talked to all of his adviser's then all of mine. He asked them to tell him what to do and leave the politics out of it." Right. Great he's got it figured out, take the Democrat wolves that lead these companies into ruin and put them in charge of the bail out! That's bad Judgement!

HOUSTON, Sept. 30 (AP)

The 7-foot-6 center - who turned 28 on Sept. 12 - has missed more than 80 games across the last three seasons with four separate injuries. In 2005-06, he contracted an infection in his left big toe that required surgery, then broke his left foot later. In 2006-07, he broke his right leg. Last February, he broke his left foot in a different place, had surgery and sat out the playoffs.

Yao acknowledges that he has to change something, whether it's his workout routine or the number of minutes he logs in games.

"I need to learn something from the last three years. Seriously,'' Yao said after the Rockets' first practice on Tuesday. "Maybe I need to be careful with my pregame workout or something, lay down a little bit, not get my body too tired before a game. Let's try some new schedules, put my best shape into the game.''

Coach Rick Adelman said he'll carefully monitor Yao's day-to-day schedule and hold him out of segments of practice to keep him fresh. Yao played 37 minutes per game last season and often resisted when Adelman tried to replace him.

"He's such a hard worker, he just runs himself into the ground,'' Adelman said. "He keeps saying he wants to rest, but he never wants to sit out. We're going to try to monitor him as much as we can, be smart in how we use him.''

Yao was averaging 22 points and a career-high 10.8 rebounds when he sustained the stress fracture in his foot on Feb. 26. He recovered enough to play for China at the Olympics, but said his foot was only 70-80 percent healed.

His Houston teammates nervously watched his games in Beijing.

"You cringe because you don't want to see him fall down,'' said point guard Rafer Alston. "And then he falls, and things like that. Then, he's doing an interview, and he falls over a writer or a camera.''

Yao averaged 19 points and 8.2 rebounds in Beijing, leading China to the quarterfinals.

"The Olympics was a very good tryout for me to prepare for the Rockets season,'' he said. "Some Chinese fans probably won't be happy, but that's just being honest. It feels great to come out of the injury. I had a good recovery. I feel fresh and ready for next season.''

Houston assistant coach Jack Sikma made two trips to China - one before the Games and one after - to work individually with Yao. Sikma said Yao has lost about 10 pounds and just needs to regain his game conditioning.

The Rockets acquired Ron Artest and Brent Barry in the offseason and Adelman hopes that the improved versatility will give Yao more chances to rest - and fewer opportunities to get hurt.

Adelman is starting his second season in Houston and also has more confidence now in frontcourt players like Luis Scola, Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes, who can come off the bench to replace Yao. Dikembe Mutombo backed up Yao last season, but Mutombo has yet to sign a new contract.

"I'm very comfortable playing two of those guys together and that would help keep Yao's minutes down,'' Adelman said. "We had to play without him last year and those guys had to play, so I think having a versatility, we have some more things we can go to offensively.''

Until then, Yao said he's not afraid to test his foot and go full-bore in practice to rebuild his stamina.

"The foot feels all right. I can't say it's like brand new, but it's like it's my foot,'' he said. "I can't wait to go, for the first preseason game, the first regular-season game.''

Yao isn't the only Rockets player whose health worries Adelman.

Tracy McGrady said Monday that his left shoulder is arthritic and his left knee is healing slower than expected from surgery in the spring. Alston had surgery to repair ligaments in his right ankle and forward Shane Battier had surgery to remove bone spurs in his left ankle. Battier now has inflammation in his left foot that will keep him out at least four weeks.

"I never had a team where I had four starters have surgery,'' said Adelman, starting his 18th season as a head coach. "That's been one of my major concerns, how these guys are going to come to camp, where they are physically and how we are going to monitor that as we go through this first month.''

Ladies and Gentlemen, today you are in for a rare treat.  It’s very seldom that I get to break stories here on Friesen Point, but today I get to do just that.

As loyal Friesen Pointers will recall, about a week ago, I posted an entirely genuine transcript of a conversation between big time Hollywood actor Will Smith and big time Hollywood director Barry Sonnenfeld, wherein they negotiated a deal for the recording of the theme for Wild Wild West.  In it, we saw a darker, but possibly truer, side to Big Willy.

Anyway, I got the transcript from a “very reliable” (his words) source who knew a guy who once had sex with a girl in a dance club bathroom who was in the room with Sonnenfeld and Big Willy during the conversation.  Apparently, she was an assistant to Barry Sonnenfeld for a while, and she has a stockpile of delightful tales of Hollywood goings-on.  Well, it took me a lot of hanging around in weird bathrooms, but I managed to track this classy young dame down. She insists that I only refer to her as “Clams Casino,” but, in return for my maintaining her relative anonymity, she’s promised me full access to her vault of “behind the scenes” scoops on some of this country’s most beloved stars.

Today, she has given me an exclusive behind the scenes transcript from the filming of the Barry Sonnenfeld directed film Big Trouble.  Here we find Sonnenfeld engaged in a heated discussion with big time Hollywood actor Tim Allen over a re-shoot.  Enjoy this exclusive look at the darker, truer side of Hollywood.

Barry Sonnenfeld: Tim, we need to talk about that last scene.

Tim Allen: What are you talking about?  “One Take Tim,” that’s what they fucking call me.  Forget about it, that scene is done.  Put a fork in it.

BS: Tim, there’s no doubt that you’re a legend, and I appreciate you lending this film a little class, but, with all due respect, I’m the director here and I really think we need to try that one again.

TA: Listen, Barry, I’d love to sit around and explain to you exactly how I nailed that damn scene, but I’m a fucking busy man.

BS: I’m not saying it’s all your fault, Tim.  I was watching the playback, and I wasn’t getting the type of chemistry I want from you and Rene (Russo).

TA: You can’t possibly put that on me.  That dried out bitch is dead behind the eyes.  Did you see me out there?  I was bleeding out there for you!  I was running a goddamn clinic, a free Tim Allen Acting Workshop!

BS: So, what do you want me to do?  Refilm the scene without you?

TA: Damn right!  I’ve got places to be.

BS: Tim, I can’t do that.  This scene is full of two-shots.  For Christ’s sake, the climax of the scene involves Rene tackling you over your desk.

TA: Listen man, I’ve just gotta calm down.  I’ve got to walk it off.

(Tim Allen walks about fifteen feet to the left and proceeds to smoke a joint with Jason Lee)

TA: Alright, I’m going to put all my cards on the table here.  There are three moderately overweight women waiting for me naked in my trailer with their pussies full of heroin, and if they leave before we’re done with this scene, I swear to Christ that I’m out of here.

BS: Come on, Tim, there’s no reason to be like that.

TA: You think I’m kidding?  Try me, Sonnenfeld, just try me.  If even one of those chunky opium sluts leaves my trailer before we get done here, I’ll be on my merry way to start production on “Galaxy Quest 2” quicker than you can say “Jungle 2 Jungle.”  I swear to God; I’ve got Tony Shalhoub on speed-dial.

BS: Alright, everyone on set!  Roll cameras!  And…action!

Rep. Barney Frank, Democrat MA, Chairman Financial Services Committee, retaliates against Republican uprising after loosing the vote on the financial rescue bill. Rep. Frank and House Speaker, Rep. Nancy pelosi, D-CA, decides the failure is entirely the Republicans fault for not bringing the promised number of votes.

The bill failed 228-205 95 Democratic 133 Republicans voted against this bill. The American people voted with their Representatives across party lines and said no to the bill. If the Representatives have a problem with that then they should not be Representatives!

Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker  couldn't even deliver half of the Representatives from CALIFORNIA! Barack Obama Democratic Presidential Nominee brought no votes to the table. Obama couldn't even get half of the Black Caucus. John McCain Republican Presidential Nominee stood rightly with the American people.

Those Democratic leaders that said they didn't make this partisan show they are partisan in the following clip!

Rep. Barney Franks decides to chide Republicans for reacting to a poisoned speech given on the floor of the House of Representatives just prior to voting on the bill. Rep. Franks said, "I am appauled... we have come together on a bill to alleviate the crisis and because somebody (Nancy Pelosi) hurt their feelings, they decide to punish the country."  He goes on,"That degree of pettiness and hypersensitivity," and "We also have as a leader (Pelosi) that will tell you that we don't believe they had the votes. And I think they are covering up the embarrassment of not having the votes." "Somebody hurt my feelings SO I WILL PUNISH THE COUNTRY." "And there were 12 Republican members who were ready to stand up for the economic engines of America But not if anybody saw them." "I make an offer give me those 12 people names and I will go talk UNCHARACTERISTICALLY NICELY TO THEM. AND TELL THEM WHAT WONDERFUL PEOPLE THEY ARE AND MAYBE THEY WILL NOW THINK ABOUT THE COUNTRY!" Barney 12 members of YOUR COMMITTEE VOTED AGAINST THIS, TALK TO THEM!

That said it Barney, you are not normally a nice person. But some of us already knew that. You are The Financial Services Chairman in the House and are supposed to be responsible for oversight. Where was it?

Rep. Rahm Emanuel, Democrat Illinois Majority Whip, "We though we had found the very basis of principle and politics." "That we would join hands and get this done." As people who were meeting the challenge of their country." Right.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, "But also and part of that was that also every step of the way that we would have half the votes and they would half the votes because we believed this had to be bipartisan. and again members really didn't see the bill, uh, in its final form until yesterday afternoon and that's we we found out how many votes we would have. In the course of the last 18 hours or so."  You could have passed it but you chose to suspend the vote.

These people blaming everyone else are responsible for this and are asking for us to give them money for their mistakes. Rep. Barney Frank D-MA is covering his own butt and this is the video proof he was warned.

This is Barney Farnk being "nice" on the floor.

[/caption]

Our class went to a school in Tierra Pura, QC, to perform. It was nice seeing the kids participate and enjoy. Wow: ME liking KIDS?! (picture courtesy of Riki Flores).

I just survived a hell week. I can't call it my first this sem, coz I know and you know (and God knows) that I'd be burned at stake if I claim of it. Anyway as of this moment, I'm still preoccupied with a lot of school work. Headlines and Deadlines.

On the other hand, I must say that I love this semester very much. Not that, you know, I'm some pretentious nerd jackass or something. I'd vomit pronouncing that. There are a lot of reasons why, and here are a few I wish to disclose to people on why I would not want sembreak to arrive on my doorstep, for now:

WORDS. I love talking in class. A lot of my subjects require me to inhale nice chunks of chutzpah as far as rambling and discussing with the professors are concerned. I admit my speaking skills are not really that flawless: I still commit making that irksome "I know right" and "Where are we going... ba." But yeah, I can now speak just right.

FRIENDS. In a private LJ blog entry, I divulged frantically that I wanted to get out of CMC. Literally. As in from the course and from the people themselves. I wanted to explore other unspoiled surprises "out there." I wanted to join a business-inclined org or something.

As the semester went by, I did "explore." I met new friends who were really the most fun persons in the world. Particularly, I've felt a not so wholesome belongingness with my Speech121 class. Let's take that a few blockmates were also enrolled in that class. So to account, mahal na mahal ko na sila. Lol.

I know it's corny. But performing (and partying) with them was awesome. Even if I considered the fact that practically, this was a class of non-professionals in terms of punctuality. Haha.

LOVE. Speaking of Speech121, I have sort of a mini-crush in that class. How would I define a mini-crush? Ganito: I have a quirky knack for falling toes up to a girl who'd be most likely "in a relationship." No joke. I don't know why. Some cases brought me to purgatory-- round trip-- as their respective ugly boyfriends projected their middle fingers at me bawling, "You bastard!" "Mang-aagaw ikaw!" or "Please 'give' her to me, I'll take care of her."

And muffling my urge to laugh, I'd be retorting, "Gib chans to aders."

So... to answer my delusions when College began, I just call them mini-crushes. Meaning, it won't develop into something beyond THAT.

(drum roll)

She doesn't read this blog naman. Yes, she has a beau. And if it occurs that YOU're her man, read the previous paragraph again. Lol. In case you're curious, she's taking European Languages, major in French. Walang malisya, mini-crush lang.

Ratatouille, anyone? Lol.

I WANNA GET OUTTA CMC NOW!

PS As I ponder about her, I'll just be making abang of her pag nag-break na sila ng boypren nya. Yun yun eh! Kidding. Wait a second...

Shit, I'm so giddy. What?!

PS PS I know I'd be reading this post again some time. It would bring an unexplained smirk on my face for sure, and I know, right now, you're already having tummy aches from endless laughter. Fuck you and I love you people. =)

Obama says McCain has done nothing to help with the bailout.

Fox News has Obama's comments about the bailout:

Asked during an interview on CBS' "Face the Nation" whether McCain deserved credit for bringing lawmakers together, Obama said "no."

"Here are the facts: For two weeks I was on the phone everyday with Secretary Paulson and the congressional leaders making sure that the principles that have been ultimately adopted were incorporated in the bill," Obama said.

Well praise Barack from whom all blessings flow! Please allow me to get on my knees, kiss my Che shirt, hug my hammer and sickle, and genuflect over my Obama bumper sticker.  He has saved the day with his intense phone calling!  He must be more amazing on the phone than in person.

So what exactly did John McCain do?  Well, at a minimum, he sacrificed his time and showed up. I'm sure there were political calculations which came with that decision. However, McCain didn't have to prep for the debate like Obama because he had nothing to memorize at the last minute.  No cramming needed.

Is there one cogent explanation of Obama's ideas or what exactly he contributed to this process?  Please, just communicating is not substantive- how about an idea?  "Helping main street" you say?  Give me a break. Was he the ONE who had that idea?  I'm sure he'll take the credit for anything good and blame the bad on the Republicans.  More Barry bipartisan.

I love this quote from the article:

Obama also said the next president should work to overhaul the regulatory structure of Wall Street, though he offered no specifics.

How about a pony for every little girl in America?  Why don't we just buy everyone a house, give them "free" health care, "free" public transportation, "free" college, "free" "free" free"!!!

Any specifics about that pony?  Uhhh, no, not at this time.  Wait until next January and bring a coat.

As time goes on it appears that Obama will be president without facing a single issue with any depth- no more than a reflecting pool.  And I bet he loves the reflection.

Olberman seemed very excited about Sen. McCain's remarks about torture.  Olbermann felt that Sen. McCain unwittingly admitted that the United States had tortured people.  I turned to Dear Husband asking, "If they are our enemies and not covered by certain treaties, why shouldn't we torture them for more information?" 

So I ask anyone liberal or more left-leaning who happens to come along this post, if we capture folks who are our committed enemies and not covered by certain treaties, why shouldn't we torture them for more information?

One other thing of note...we switched over to Fox News when Sen. Biden appeared on MSNBC.  Mayor Guiliani was chatting with Sean Hannity and Alan Colmes.  Mayor Giuliani echoed Sen. John McCain's charge that Sen. Obama is one of the more liberal members of the Senate.  Colmes did not like the accusation and launched into a bit of an attack.  Dear Husband and I found this humerous.

For the most part, Republicans lean right and Democrats lean left.  We call the right leaners conservatives and the left leaners liberals.  Why, then, should Colmes be afraid of the liberal label?  If Sen. Obama is a Democrat and he feels that left leaning policies are the right thing for the country, why would one of his prominent supporters want to deny that's he's a liberal?  Indeed, being the most liberal one in the Senate should be a badge of honor for a dyed in the wool Democrat just as Pres. Bush being a right-winger makes me proud since I'm Republican.

UPDATE: Senator Chuck Schumer, (D-NY) just held a presser where he said, "We need the President to repectfully tell Senator McCain (John McCain (R-AZ), Republican Presidential Nominee) to get out of town...and not throw fire on these flames." More censorship! Last week Harry Reid said, "We need the Republican nominee to let us know where he stands."

Remember the Democrat Party have the votes to pass their bill. They do not want the responsibility of this horrific bill that the American voters have risen up against! So they'll blame it on the Republicans.

Senator Harry Reid, (D-NV) Majority leader, along with Senator Chris Dodd (D-CONN) Chairman Banking Committee held a presser this morning to let the people of America know exactly what happened last night and why they couldn't do anything today.

The Republicans had NEVER signed on to or agreed in any manner yesterday morning, as widely reported. I wrote as Chris Dodd spoke yesterday that they were "saying they had a deal in principle." An agreement in principle is NOT a The Democrats are protraying this bill as killed by the "Presidential politics" injected into the process. The Democrats can pass this bill, they have the votes in Congress to pass this bill now. They will not in order to play politics with our future.

Sen. Reid said, "I got home last night and watched the evening news." What was he doing at home watching TV, He is the leader and should have been in his office working on this emergency!

Reid, "The insertion of Presidential politics is not helpful." "I talked to McCain and all he did was stand in front of the cameras." That's exactly what Reid and Dodd just did. They have lost there power at the moment because Constitutionally the bill must start in the House of Representatives.

This was a set up by the Democrat Party and their MSM outlet to give the percepction of a deal all day so that they could lie again and say the meeting "Blew Up" because of McCain. The "Blew up" phrase was used by every liberal news station all evening and is another example of the liberal media and the Democrat Party being on in the same.

If McCain was silent then how do you make sense of this statement from Obama, "This is what happens when you inject presidential politics in this delegate process." Obama ran the meeting how can injecting politics be blamed on the silent, calming McCain?

All Dems. were silent and referred to Senator Obama. Obama rips McCain and ask Sec. Paulson what he thought of the new deal. Obama received a detailed letter from Paulson which he read on the way to Washigton. He did not know the specifics of the deal and could not articulate them, he deferred to paulson.

Chris Dodd at this mornings presser said, "It was hardly contentious", "a legitimate discussion." Obama lead a shouting match that McCain tried to cool down so discussions could take place.

Reid is blaming this on McCainsaying, "A few Republicans were catisticated by some, eh, uh, a PERSON that isn't her a lot of the time." So which is it Democrats do you want him there or not?

Reid, "All he (McCain) has done is stand in front of the cameras, we still don't know here he stands on the issue." You fool you where in a meeting with McCain and still don't know where he stands on the issue.Then why are you standing in front of the cameras without knowledge or better yet an agreement! Your Fired!

I would say that McCain didn't make any sense to anybody, he spoke at the end for a couple of minutes and didn't really say anything." Harry, last week you said, "Nobaody knows what to do we are in unchartered territory here." Maybe you should listen to someone to learn a little bit more about this problem then hold a meaningful presser.

Reid then invokes censorship of the UNITED STATES SENATE by saying, "I am not going to be told what Senators are going to be involved in meeting over here." This will be your down fall.

In a interview with Bret Hume on Fox News last night Obama said, "I think the way that I have been working over the last week, constantly in contact with the leaders, will have created a place where things can take place."

I guess that is why Obama said yesterday, "If they need me all they have to do is call me." Barack Obama Washington DC and America does not need you. Go Home!

Hear are the two inept Senators trying to ram this bill down our throats!

Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill) Presidential Nominee is naively dangerous to America's national security.

Infanticide is the practice of letting an aborted baby that survived the procedure out side of the womb die! Even if it takes hours!

Senator Barack Obama (D-ILL) Democrat Presidential Nominee is on record as a Illinois State Senator at a hearing supporting this procedure. Barack Obama argues against a law that would provide medical care to these aborted alive babies in his state of Illinois.

Here is the disgusting proof the MSM will not show!

Today Glenn R. Simpson of The Wall Street Journal is reporting that a Federal Grand Jury has been conviend in Los Angeles California to investegate Countrywide mortgage company. They have eyewitnesses from inside the companies they have interviewed that substantiate the claims.

Long time Barack Obama Supporters and Advisers have been included in subpoenaed records of individuals obtaining sweetheart deals from Countrywide mortgage.

Countrywide has had an "Exclusive "Strategic Agreement" with FANNIE MAE. The 1999 Agreement gave preference to Countrywide in which a major percentage of Fannie Mae's clients would be handled by Countrywide.

The Countywide CEO, Angelo Mozilo, termed the special program "Friends of Angelo" according to the Wall Street Journal source, Robert Feinberg. He said they typically got a one percent reduction in the Jumbo loans, sometimes as high a $3 million. Most were previously UNDISCLOSED.

The characters involved:

Jamie Gorelick - Former Vice Chairman of the Board Fannie Mae, $960,000 loan. Lied about earnings to get annual bonuses!, Responsible for the information wall preventing the FBI and CIA from communicating evedidence that could have prevented the 9/11 ATTACK! Tapped by Barack Obama to be ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Franklin Raines - Former CEO Fannie Mae, Lied about earnings to get annual bonuses!, Special VIP loan from Countrywide, Barack Obama Economic Advisor

James Johnson- Former CEO Fannie Mae, Lied about earnings to get annual bonuses!, Special VIP loan from Countrywide, Barack Obama Vice Presidential Search Team!

Charles Campion - Lobbyist for Fannie Mae and Countrywide. Barack Obama received donations over 3 years that amount to the second highest donations among ALL recipients from 1989-2008. Campion and Jim Johnson managed Walter Mondale's Presidential Campaign.

Senator Chris Dodd (D)-Connecticut - NOT IMPLICATED YET! - Chairman Senate Banking Committee received the most money from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's lobbyist during 1989-2008!

OBAMA WILL BE KNOWN BY THE COMPANY HE KEEPS.

Currently, 1:30 EST, Senator Dodd is telling America they have an agreement to take $700 Billion from the people to pay the rich! Which will of course be raised to 2 Trillion by the end!

Not yet! because they have to go back to there respective Parties and get their approval. Why even hold a Presser if you don't have the deal done yet? Go back to work, no have the Senate Banking Committee swear you in for under oath so the American people can get you and the other CEO's testimony on the record!

Together these companies and lobbyist schemed to drop requirements for loans. They gave loans that did not have income requirements. Illegal aliens received loans!!

Now they want the American Taxpayer to bail out the banks. If I want a loan right now I would have to have collateral. No collateral no loan is the message the banks should hear.

Why not tell the banks if you cannot stay in business then the homeowners don't have to pay their mortgages! If I defaulted they would take my house not loan me more money!

Where is the media storm on the biggest highjacking of the American Taxpayer by these people? Oh yeah they're on the campaign for OBAMA!!!!!

Source.

UPDATE: 9/26/08-The New York Post is reporting on the political attack CBS participated in. Asked if CBS officials had a problem with Letterman using the internal news feed, a spokeswoman for "The Evening News" refused to address the issue.

But several CBS News executives - who asked not to be identified - said that the stunt did not go down well within the news division.

"If we had done something like that to him, someone around here would end up getting fired," one said.

News officials found out Letterman was using the internal feed shortly after it showed up on an internal CBS feed carrying the "Late Show" taping.

"They were pretty aggravated," a CBS News source told The Post.

"But they were not about to start a fight with Letterman," the source said. "We're in the middle of a heavy, heavy news cycle and Letterman is Letterman.

"He does whatever he wants and always has."

McCain spokeswoman Nicole Wallace said that the campaign canceled on Letterman because it "felt this wasn't a night for comedy."

This sure sounds like a FCC general election violation.

source.

Again, NBC with David Letterman combine forces with CBS and Katie Couric to blind side a Great American hero and Presidential Candidate, John McCain. This is a blatant political attack carried out by two of the big television networks.

David Letterman begins his show with his stand up routine being so put off that a guest canceled his appearance due to a crisis in Americas economy that could be worse than the Great Depression of 1929!

Letterman continues, with the rest of the liberal Democrat Party Hacks, to say that the President should be able to multi-task and the people are needing this important debate. I guess they don't understand the gravity of this issue.

Oh yeah they do, the Democrats are trying to distract the American people from seeing that the people around Barry Barack Hussein Obama are responsible for this economic crime!

Obama's advisors are Franklin Raines and Jim Johnson, former CEO's of Fannie Mae. And That Obama in 3 short years took the second highest amount of donated money from Fannie Mae and Fredied Mac.

David Letterman then becomes a jerk saying because John McCain was in a north Vietnamese prison camp for 5 years that he should be able to handle the David Letterman show. "This doesn't smell right this is not how a great American hero acts!"

Then says that he should have let his Vice Presidential candidate handle the job, "You know what I mean" "Yeah we don't know if she can run it"

Paul, "She is a good looking babe"

The liberals forget that Senator John McCain has a Senate job that still needs to be attended to. Suspending the McCain campaign was done so that he was received as a Senator not a candidate.

The people prefer that our Senator actually do something and we are mad as hell that you Democrat Party Media cohorts focus on the problems instead of taking JUNIOR HIGH cracks at American Hero.

CBS allowed LIVE! feed of Senator John McCain getting make up be incorporated to the political attack. If that wasn't enough NBC adds in the Democrat that was demoted, Keith Oberman, to help attack McCain while he was being interviewed by CBS Evening News Anchor Katie Couric.

Letterman and Oberman team up to sling one liners at the silent video feed.

Letterman, "Hey john I have a question do you need a ride to the airport!"

CBS had to authorize their feed to be pick up and used by NBC. They combined forces to attack a Great American Hero and Presidential Candidate. The public will revolt from this. The Democrat Part will not understand why they lost this election by the biggest margin in history.

NBC is still going to use Keith Oberman and Chris Matthews, supposedly demoted for biased Republican Convention coverage, to anchor coverage running up to the postponed debate Friday night. or when it happens.

CBS AND NBC NEED TO HAVE THEIR LICENSE PULLED. THIS IS A GENERAL ELECTION AND THERE ARE FCC LAWS ON THE BOOKS TO SHUT THESE HACKS DOWN!

Gemessen an meinen Erwartungen schlägt sich das Buch dann aber ganz außerordentlich. Henry Parker, 24 Jahre alt, frisch von einer Ivy League Universität kann seinen Traum wahr machen und ist seit einem Monat bei der New York Gazette als Journalist untergekommen. Die ersten Aufgaben sind natürlich unter par, bis der Star der Zeitung einen kleinen Auftrag hat und Harry plötzlich mitten drin ist in einer wahren Geschichte, die er eigentlich nicht überstehen kann.

Die Polizei verfolgt ihn, weil er einen der ihrigen getötet haben soll, ein Killer des Mafia, der es persönlich meint, ist auf seinen Fersen und sein Arbeitgeber hat ihn schneller fallen gelassen als einen glühenden Stein. Nun, Harry ist ja sicher ein intelligentes Bürschchen, aber nicht besonders "street-wise" und mit seinem kleinen Rettungsring auch kein Kämpfer. Aber irgendwie hat er ja unheimliches Glück und dann ist da noch diese Frau ...

Pinter stellt Harry als mehr oder weniger gewöhnlichen Mann dar, der da einfach in etwas geraten ist, das eine Nummer zu groß ist, die folgerichtige Ausstattung mit den (derzeit genre-) üblichen seelischen Blessuren (z.B. verkorkste Beziehung zum Vater) verleiht dem Buch ein Touch von Bruen. Dieses Element macht das Buch gut lesbar, zumal es innerhalb der einzelnen Situationen immer wieder anders kommt, als erwartet.

Vom Ende, das genauso kommt, wie man es erwarten durfte, kann man das leider kaum behauptet.

bernd

Jason Pinter

Barack Obama rebuffed McCain [and McCain's request to postpone the scheduled debate], saying it's "more important than ever'' for the candidates to tell voters how they would deal with the crisis. He said they can work with Congress while campaigning. "It is going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once,'' Obama said.

Then there's also this pesky Internet rumor that Barry is planning to drop Biden as vice presidential nominee--the Gaffe Master will fall ill, naturally--and replace him with Hillary Clinton.

Biden may very possibly be unaware of campaign history--who can tell anymore--but hopefully Obama is aware that:

Dropping Biden from the ticket would be a throwback to George McGovern’s shocker in 1972, when he replaced running mate Thomas Eagleton after it was learned that Eagleton had undergone electro-shock therapy for depression.

McGovern lost to President Nixon in a landslide, suggesting that seventh-inning lineup changes are not the best strategy for presidential candidates who want to shake things up.

Judson Berger points out that it may be a moot point, given that absentee ballots have already been sent out with all the--dare I say it--"current" nominee names included, and in some states deadlines for doing so have come and gone.

Still, I feel like Barry isn't above trying to do something radical such as getting dates tweaked, given the state of the nation and crisis currently raging. In that instance my thought is that, as Obama was on about the need for presidential multi-tasking, he needs also to remember that difficult circumstances cannot be tweaked to escape them. Will he be able to change shirts to get out of crisis mode with Ahmadinejad? North Korea?

Certainly the story would be that Biden is too ill to go on, but everybody will know what fakery that really is, and I believe Obama knows it.

Update: Obama, the recalcitrant student:

[H]e wants to let everyone know that this is a “sufficiently important problem”. Sufficiently important how? Apparently, “sufficiently important” to issue press statements, but not “sufficiently important” to get back to work for a few days. What would constitute a problem “sufficiently important” enough for him to do that? Congress needs to address a $700 billion bailout that Obama has already stated will severely restrict his policy options if he wins the elections. Doesn’t he have a “sufficiently important” interest in that, either?

Obama has another problem with returning to Washington, one that received little attention in the analysis of McCain’s challenge yesterday. Obama has to raise $3 million each day in order to hit his target of $100 million a month. He needs to conduct fundraisers constantly in order to make that goal. Taking three or four days off the campaign trail means a potential loss of revenue for Obama, one he can ill afford at the moment. That’s a “sufficiently important problem” that would keep Obama out of Washington.

McCain won this round. He understood that the next leader of the nation had to put himself in a position of leadership in this crisis in order to have credibility. McCain took the initiative, while Obama had to return after being summoned like a recalcitrant student.

Obama prefers to be on the trail making money than doing the job he was elected to do. What else is new? Certainly not his sputtering attempt to make himself look good after his "call me if you need me" gaffe:

As I said before, I think that one of the things we have to determine is how we can be most helpful. It’s my sense that the most helpful thing we can do right now is, uh, to let everyone know this is a sufficiently important problem. I can be helpful, and I am prepared to be anywhere, anytime. So, uh, I think the message is, if I can be helpful, I am prepared to be there at any point.

Redundant, selfish, narcissistic. What other qualities in a president would the liberals like to see besides these?

UPDATE:9/25/08; PRESIDENT BUSH MUST CALL OBAMA TO WASHINGTON FOR MEETING THURSDAY. MCAIN ALREADY GOING.

9/24/08; MCCAIN SPOKESMAN, SENATOR OBAMA LEFT MESSAGE THIS MORNING THAT HE WANTED TO TALK NOTHING ABOUT JOINT STATEMENT OR ANYTHING ELSE!

The Barack Obama press conference about suspending the campaigns and debate to do the work of a Senator was a mess.

Senator Barack Obama press conference statements,

"We have to act swiftly but we have to get it right"

"I initiaed the call after determining that many of the terms I put forth he did also"

"The taxpayer should be treated like investor that means that they should get back every single dime they paid.

"Home owners should get a plan as well" (what about the $300 Billion from July!)

"I've been in contact with leadership in congress"

"This is no longer and Republican or Democrat problem its an American problem we are all in this together."

"Joint statement first!, to send a clear signal to congress to that this is not a time for the usuall  partisain politics." (A letter? What the hell is that supposed to do?)

"Debates, this is the time the American people need to hear for the people that will be responsible for cleaning up this mess."

"He (McCain) metionaed that he was going to fly to washington and was thinking about delaying the debates."

"This is a sufficiently important problmem that we tell the american peole in a joint statement "

"The stimulus package should not be included in this bill."

"What I've told the leadership is if you need us then I am prepared to be there if they need us."

"Presidents are going to have to be prepared to do many things at one time."

"I believe we should continue to have the debates to communicate to the American people."

"We both have big planes that we've paited our names on, you can see it right there on the side of them and they can get us from mississippi to Washington fairly quickly."

"What I am planning to do is debate on Friday"

Reporter, "Do you think that this was a political move on the part of John McCain?"

"I think the only miscommunication was how fast someone would get on TV first!"

The Democrat Party has replied to Senator John McCain's suspension of his Presidential campaign and debate to return to Congress and work on the financial crisis. This is the biggest financial crisis of America's history taking place right before our eye's and the Democrat Senate Majority leader, Harry Reid, says that he dosen't need the help of 2 Senators.

Does he have the answer? If so, offer it up Harry.

Senators McCain and Obama are now the leaders of their respective parties and they happen to be Senators. The Senators should be working this out in congress not on television.

Especially not when the "Depression" word is freely being discussed today!

From the site of Senator Harry Reid:

Reid: Debate Should Take Place As Scheduled - "We Need Leadership; Not A Campaign Photo Op"

Washington, DC—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today in response to the McCain campaign’s call for postponing Friday’s scheduled debate:

“This is a critical time for our country.  While I appreciate that both candidates have signaled their willingness to help, Congress and the Administration have a process in place to reach a solution to this unprecedented financial crisis.

“I understand that the candidates are putting together a joint statement at Senator Obama’s suggestion.  But it would not be helpful at this time to have them come back during these negotiations and risk injecting presidential politics into this process or distract important talks about the future of our nation’s economy.  If that changes, we will call upon them.  We need leadership; not a campaign photo op.

“If there were ever a time for both candidates to hold a debate before the American people about this serious challenge, it is now."

Your right about that Senator Reid. We need to change the Senators in Washington. We may need to put a few in jail. I know there are a few CEO's that need to go to jail. Why haven't the CEO's of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac been in the hearings this week?

Oh Yeah, they are helping Barack Obama!

Folgende Bücher sind dieses Jahr nominiert:

Macavity

• In the Woods, von Tana French
• Heart-Shaped Box, von Joe Hill
• The Spellman Files, von Lisa Lutz
• Stealing the Dragon, von Tim Maleeny
• The Collaborator of Bethlehem, von Matt Beynon Rees

Anthony

• Big City, Bad Blood, von Sean Chercover
• In the Woods, von Tana French
• The Spellman Files, von Lisa Lutz
• Head Games, von Craig MacDonald
• The Blade Itself, von Marcus Sakey

Barry (erschienen 2007 in den USA):

• Missing Witness, von Gordon Campbell
• Big City, Bad Blood, von Sean Chercover
• In the Woods, von Tana French
• The Spellman Files, by Lisa Lutz
• The Collaborator of Bethlehem, von Matt Beynon Rees
• The Blade Itself, von Marcus Sakey

Insgesamt also neun verschiedene Bücher für 16 Nominierungen. In the Woods von Tana French, Edgar Gewinner und einer der Stars der Saison und, nachdem ich es gelesen habe, gar nicht so überraschend The Spellman Files von Lisa Lutz wurden für alle drei Preise nominiert. Dieses Jahr mindestens einen Krimipreis gewonnen haben The Collaborator of Bethlehem von Matt Beynon Ress und Big City, Bad Blood von Sean Chercover, sie sind ebenso wie das in den USA gehypete The Blade Itself von Marcus Sakey für zwei der Preise nominiert.

Damit sind wohl auch die Bücher herausgehoben, welche die größte Aufmerksamkeit der Öffentlichkeit bekommen haben. Lisa Lutz Buch (deutsch: Miss Undercover: Ein Familienroman) ist international recht erfolgreich und wird nicht nur in Deutschland nicht als Krimi vermarktet, Es erzählt keine sehr handlungsreiche Geschichte, sondern beschreibt eine Familie mit ihren schrägen Mitgliedern und reichlich eigentümlichen Interaktionen. Es ist ein ganz vorzügliches Buch, aber als Krimi hat es nicht gerade seine Meriten. Ganz anders natürlich In the Woods (deutsch: Grabesgrün) von Tana French, ein Buch das die Leserschaft spaltet. Einige irritiert das verhältnismäßig offene Ende, viele sind angetan von seiner düsteren Atmosphäre. Es bewegt sich gekonnt zwischen den verschiedenen Subgenre und lässt sich als Psychothriller, als Kreuzung zwischen Whodunnnit und Ellroys Black Dahlia lesen.Ähnlich komplett ist Big City, Bad Blood (das im Gegensatz zu den beiden vorgenannten Bücher noch für den Shamus nominiert ist, so dass es auch beim Bouchercon mit drei Nominierungen aufwarten kann) von Sean Chercover, in dem sich ein Privatdetektive marlowescher Prägung in einen Thriller moderner Machart hinein verpflanzt sieht, eine spannende Geschichte die Chercover mit Humor und Gespür für Menschen erzählt.

Auch Marcus Sakey versucht mit The Blade Itself (Deutsch: Der Blutzeuge) dem Trend des stilistischen Mixes zu folgen. Ein wenig Noir, der Rückbezug zur gemeinsamen Jugend a la Mystic River und ein furioses Finale können aber nicht ganz verbergen, dass die Hauptfigur etwas blass und der Mix etwas gewollt wirkt. The Collaborator of Bethlehem (Deutsch: Der Verräter von Bethlehem) erzählt eine Geschichte aus Palästina. Auch wenn Palästinenser unter sich sind, könnte dem Leser vor Zorn der Kamm schwellen und er/sie übersehen, dass das Rätsel dünn und die Gründlichkeit im Denken beim detektivischen Lehrer nicht die ist, de er von seinen Schülern einfordert.

Lediglich für den Macavity nominiert ist Joe Hills The Heart-Shaped Box (Deutsch: Blind). Der Gewinner des Bram Stoker und des ITW (International Thriller Writer) Awards lässt Geister auftreten die unangreifbar wirken. Um diese stimmig aufgebaute und spannende Geschichte, die aber mit überraschend gut gezeichneten Charakteren aufwartet, werden klassische Krimileser sicher einen Bogen machen. Ebenfalls nur für den Macavity nominiert ist Stealing the Dragon von Tim Maleeny. Das Buch lebt ein wenig von der Exotik Südostasiens und der Chinatowns San Franziskos, entwickelt eine komplexe Geschichte, zeigt gelungenes Handwerk, stimmige Charaktere, ist herzenswarm und unterhält mit einigen überraschenden Wendungen und einem packenden Finale.

Nur für den Anthony ist Head Games von Craig MacDonald nominiert, das ambitioniert geschriebene Buch war auch für den Edgar nominiert. Es ist ein turbulenter Road Movie, bei dem es um den verschwundenen Schädel eines der mexikanischen Helden im Kampf gegen die USA geht. Es ist vollgepumpt mit Pulp Fiction, 50er Jahre Atmosphäre, Hollywood, Hemingway usw und ist auf eine angenehme, klug beobachtende Art und Weise witzig.

Ebenfalls für den Edgar nominiert war Missing Witness von Gordon Campbell, das nun für den Barry nominiert ist. Von einer originellen juristischen Finte ausgehend, entwickelt sich ein Courthousedrama mit starken Whodunnitelementen das voller überraschender Wendungen ist und den Bundesstaat Arizona in starkes Licht taucht.

Voraussagen über die Gewinner scheinen schwierig und ehrlich gesagt führen sie auch zu wenig. Meiner Meinung nach sind In the Woods und Big City, Bad Blood die stärksten der hier versammelten Bücher, sie teilen möglicherweise die Preise unter sich auf. The Collaborator von Bethlehem und The Blade Itself sind wohl nach den Erfolgen und Belobigungen Chancen einzuräumen, da bleiben wohl für die gelungenen und eigenständigen Head Games und Missing Witness wenig Chancen,

bernd