bagochips

Travel safe, Kev. It was good to meet you. Good luck!

Yeah, this is going to be a highly entertaining election to watch...

Profile: Sarah Palin As the first woman and the youngest person to be elected Alaska's state governor, Sarah Palin is used to breaking new ground. The 44-year-old was elected in 2006 and has been credited with bringing in reforms in her two years in office. Presenting her as his running-mate in November's presidential election, John McCain described her as "someone with strong principles, a fighting spirit and deep compassion". As well as portraying her as a devoted wife and mother-of-five, Mr McCain also stressed her executive experience and ability to stand up against entrenched interests and corruption. "She has the grit, integrity, good sense and fierce devotion to the common good that is exactly what we need in Washington today," he said. Ms Palin is seen as boosting Mr McCain's ticket because she is a woman - and so may appeal to disappointed Hillary Clinton supporters - as well as being young, energetic and from outside the Washington political scene. She is also viewed as having a strong social and fiscal conservative record. She opposes abortion and holds a life membership of the National Rifle Association. The governor is keen on hunting and fishing and reportedly enjoys eating moose hamburgers. Married for 20 years, she gave birth to her fifth child in April - a son who has Downs Syndrome. Another son is in the army and is to deploy to Iraq next month, the Politico website says. Confirming her as Mr McCain's running mate, his office said: "Governor Palin is a tough executive who has demonstrated during her time in office that she is ready to be president." She is also head of the Alaska National Guard which demonstrates, Mr McCain's campaign said, that she "understands what it takes to lead our nation". Nonetheless, she had been seen as a long-shot for the vice-presidential role, with critics pointing to her lack of experience on the national or international stage. She was in 1984 crowned the beauty queen of the town where she grew up, Wasilla City. She also competed in the Miss Alaska contest. The first-term governor describes herself as a political maverick. To win election in Alaska, she beat the incumbent governor in the Republican primary and then defeated a former Democratic Alaskan governor in the general election. A recent Wall Street Journal article said of her: "When Sarah Palin was elected governor as a Republican outsider in 2006, she didn't just take on an incumbent from her own party. She took on Alaska's Republican establishment." 'Nothing to hide' Ms Palin has a reputation for tackling corruption, having led an investigation into ethics violations by state Republicans while serving on the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in 2003. However, she is currently herself under investigation by state lawmakers over the dismissal of a state public safety commissioner. She is alleged to have sacked him because he did not dismiss a state trooper involved in a contentious divorce and child custody battle from her younger sister. The governor told US network CNBC she had "nothing to hide" in the matter. Before being elected as governor, she served on the council of Wasilla City Council, a town outside Anchorage, and was its mayor from 1996 to 2002. A 2004 census gave Wasilla City, where Ms Palin grew up after moving from Idaho aged three months, a population of 7,738. She graduated from the University of Idaho in 1987, having studied journalism and political science. She made occasional appearances as a television sports broadcaster. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7588542.stm

McCain picks female running mate US Republican presidential hopeful John McCain has picked Sarah Palin, the female governor of Alaska, as his surprise running mate. At 44, she is younger than Barack Obama and is credited with reforms during her first term, but she is relatively unknown in US politics. Mr McCain has gone on stage at a rally in Dayton, Ohio, to celebrate his 72nd birthday and present Ms Palin. Analysts say the Republican is keen to wrest back headlines from Mr Obama. Speaking to a large crowd, who sang Happy Birthday when he appeared, Mr McCain introduced Ms Palin as someone who "understands working people". "She's got the grit, the integrity and commitment to the common good which are exactly what we need in Washington today," he said. "She's exactly who I need, who this country needs, to help me fight to turn the same old Washington politics on its head." Thanking Mr McCain, Ms Palin said she would be honoured to serve next to him. The Obama campaign has suggested that Mr McCain's choice is irresponsible, referring to her former role as mayor of the small Alaskan town of Wasilla. "Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency," said spokesman Bill Burton. Broad appeal Ms Palin is perhaps the most daring vice-presidential choice for Mr McCain, the BBC's Kim Ghattas reports from Dayton. SARAH PALIN Elected AlaskaÂ’s youngest and first woman governor in 2006 Grew up in Wasilla, near Anchorage, and was voted Miss Wasilla in 1984 Studied journalism and political science at University of Idaho Likes hunting and fishing Ms Palin may reinforce Mr McCainÂ’s "maverick" tag, enjoying a reputation as someone willing to take on the party establishment. The youngest governor of Alaska and the first woman to hold that position, Ms Palin is married with five children. Analysts say she may have been chosen by the McCain campaign as a tactic to win over Democratic women voters, disappointed by the defeat of Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama. Her relative youth and reforms as governor may also go some way to match Mr Obama's appeal, and boost Mr McCain's chances. "She will be his partner in reforming Washington," a senior McCain official told Reuters news agency, speaking on condition of anonymity. Announcing Mr McCain's decision, his election website said Ms Palin had "brought Republicans and Democrats together within her administration [in Alaska] and has a record of delivering on the change and reform that we need in Washington". At the same time, Ms Palin is a strong conservative, fiscally and socially. She also opposes abortion and one of her sons has Down's Syndrome. Abortion has been a key issue cited by Republican voters who feel the Arizona senator is not conservative enough, our correspondent says. Alaskan investigation Ms Palin lacks foreign policy experience and while being a Washington outsider can be an asset for the McCain ticket, it also means she has not been tested on the national stage, our correspondent says. Her electoral chances may be harmed by the fact that she was placed under investigation in Alaska by state lawmakers at the end of July. She sacked a public safety commissioner and the allegation is that she sacked him because he had not fired a state trooper who is Ms PalinÂ’s former brother-in-law, and who is in a custody battle with her sister. She says she has "nothing to hide" and is "cool" about the investigation. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7588435.stm

Yonder Mountain String Band will.i.am Sheryl Crow Stevie Fuckin' Wonder Michael McDonald (never heard of him, but he followed Stevie, poor sucker) doubt the doses are as strong as when I saw Santana and the Dead there in '91 though...

I was there. You drank beer in my house.

Happy Birthday.

What a killer night. I'm telling ya, that there dance tent really makes the fest a better place.

Seriously, we are talking about the entire province for the entire year. Less than six pounds seized in 2008 and they see this as a dangerous sign.

doesn't that make Abe your brother? or is your brother just chilled about that sort of thing?

View Farka Toure plays tonight. I am a huge fan of his father's music, but have not seen the son. Can anyone here vouch for his chops from personal experience?

Randy Newman: "McCain has a really likeable list. Then again, Hitler liked some good music, you know?"

BARACK OBAMA 1. Ready or Not Fugees 2. What's Going On Marvin Gaye 3. I'm On Fire Bruce Spingsteen 4. Gimme Shelter Rolling Stones 5. Sinnerman Nina Simone 6. Touch the Sky Kanye West 7. You'd Be So Easy to Love Frank Sinatra 8. Think Aretha Franklin 9. City of Blinding Lights U2 10. Yes We Can will.i.am JOHN McCAIN 1. Dancing Queen ABBA 2. Blue Bayou Roy Orbison 3. Take a Chance On Me ABBA 4. If We MakeIt Through December Merle Haggard 5. As Time Goes By Dooley Wilson 6. Good Vibrations The Beach Boys 7. What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong 8. I've Got You Under My Skin Frank Sinatra 9. Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond 10. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes The Platters . http://www.blender.com/WhiteHouseDJBattle/articles/39518.aspx

The BBC has a decent obituary here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5306640.stm

Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables perfect for a Sunday afternoon in the Glebe...

2006?

The band broke up in 1991. I'm sure they're mostly over it by now. Maybe it's time for you to let go of your resentment. Move into the light, phistaper. Really though, "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts" remains one of my all-time favourite albums. Not every day listening material perhaps, but still.

Holy crap! Well this makes my October.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

Like a steam locomotive, rolling down the track ... Thanks for everything, Jerry.