The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Just Printed My Boarding Pass; Ready
for Fear and Loathing in Pasadena?

Posted on | January 4, 2010 | 115 Comments

Less than 12 hours from now, I’ll be flying the friendly skies of United — economy class with a two–hour layover in San Francisco — to sunny California to cover the BCS Championship game.

The “friendly skies” are billing me $15 for checked baggage. Maybe one of our tip-jar hitters can fork over for that. I thought about just trying to do the trip with a carry-on bag — my laptop, socks and a change of underwear — but I figure the readers have gotten me this far, surely one of y’all could come up with a measly $15. ROLL TIDE!

UPDATE: Kay Bailey Hutchison will air a Senate campaign ad during the ABC broadcast. That’s got to be a bad omen of some kind, and not for Gov. Rick Perry. Hutchison’s an internecine Republican feud to a football game?  When the Longhorns lose Thursday, Texas voters will blame KBH for jinxing them.

UPDATE II: A Twitter friend in Costa Mesa reports from the scene where the undefeated Crimson Tide is practicing:

Looking at the field that the boys are practicing at as I leave work. 🙂 Full police madness here in CM.

Hmmm. “Police madness,” huh? Obviously they’ve brought in extra security. Someone must have warned them I was coming.

Hunter S. Thompson got tear-gassed at the ’68 Democratic Convention. If I get tasered in Costa Mesa, blame Dan Collins.

Don’t worry. I doubt even the notoriously tough cops in Costa Mesa would tase a professional journalist. They don’t need that kind of bad media mojo. But just in case, somebody hit the tip jar for $12 so I can  grab a bag of Krispy Kreme doughnuts on my way from the Burbank Airport to Costa Mesa.

There is no law enforcement hassle that can’t be prevented with a bag of fresh Krispy Kremes. Unfortunately for the late Dr. Thompson, there were no Krispy Kreme vendors at the 1968 Chicago convention . . .

UPDATE III: Jimmie Bise of the Sundries Shack will be helping out with our coverage, taking phone-in reports while I’m running around Southern California the next couple of days. I called Jimmie this afternoon while I was on my way to the American Spectator office near Washington. He called me back just as I was getting home.

“Been down to Douchebag City,” I said.

“Where’s that?”

“D.C. — Douchebag City,” I said. “The place is full of douchebags who don’t know how to drive.”

Some people get their cardiovascular workout on Stairmaster. I get mine in a 2004 KIA Optima. Nothing gets the blood pumping like running 97 mph on the George Washington Parkway — past the exit for the CIA’s George Bush Center for Intelligence in Langley. Don’t hate me for my freedom.

UPDATE IV: Just got off the phone with Smitty who, as usual, is telling me technical stuff — some new WordPress widget or something — that I don’t understand, don’t need to understand, and don’t have time to talk about right now.

Tempus fugits, once you print your boarding pass. Smitty also reminded me that Cassandra at Villainous Company took issue yesterday with our motto:

I have been urged by friends – all men – to “write ruthlessly” too, though they did not use those precise words.
I looked up the word “ruthless” to see what it means, exactly. It means having no pity : merciless, cruel. I think you can see my problem here. I believe one of the great strengths of men is their ability to neatly sever compassion, empathy, fellow feeling from the decision making process.

Here’s the thing, Cassandra: Nobody wants to read a man who writes like a woman. All that fluffy “compassion” crap is fine for a woman writer, but . . .

Tell you what, go read Dan Riehl and see if you find any “compassion” there. Dan doesn’t get paid to express his inner feelings or consult his muse. And it will be a cold day in hell before Dan ever titles a post, “Nothing Sings to Me Today.”

Just sayin’ . . .

UPDATE VI: Thanks to Dan Collins for this tip via Twitter:

@vjmorton @TCOAmerica RT @vermontaigne SHOCKING http://bit.ly/7XUdmz #Texas Cheerleaders in NUDE Photo Scandal

This could be a really big scandal . . .

Category: Alabama, Blogging, Fear and Loathing in Pasadena, Football

Comments

115 Responses to “Just Printed My Boarding Pass; Ready
for Fear and Loathing in Pasadena?”

  1. FilmLadd
    January 4th, 2010 @ 11:23 pm

    Stacy! Put pictures up of Bama cheerleaders! Quit focusin’ on the negative!

  2. JSF
    January 5th, 2010 @ 4:42 am

    RS,

    I’m seeing my mentor tomorrow for a final try — I’ll see what I can do.

    Otherwise, I’ll see you on West Coast Time.

    Your favorite Conservative Jewish Goth Blogger,
    JSF

    (Hey, what do I have to to get the Valley on the Blogroll? I will say “ROLL TIDE”)

  3. JSF
    January 5th, 2010 @ 4:42 am

    RS,

    I’m seeing my mentor tomorrow for a final try — I’ll see what I can do.

    Otherwise, I’ll see you on West Coast Time.

    Your favorite Conservative Jewish Goth Blogger,
    JSF

    (Hey, what do I have to to get the Valley on the Blogroll? I will say “ROLL TIDE”)

  4. JSF
    January 4th, 2010 @ 11:42 pm

    RS,

    I’m seeing my mentor tomorrow for a final try — I’ll see what I can do.

    Otherwise, I’ll see you on West Coast Time.

    Your favorite Conservative Jewish Goth Blogger,
    JSF

    (Hey, what do I have to to get the Valley on the Blogroll? I will say “ROLL TIDE”)

  5. smitty
    January 5th, 2010 @ 4:55 am

    Yea, though I walk through the alley of the 5 o’clock shadow, I will fear no razor, for a tiny wedge of blog roll has been shaven off in my place. Thy after-shave lotion and cologne comfort me. Or something.

  6. smitty
    January 5th, 2010 @ 4:55 am

    Yea, though I walk through the alley of the 5 o’clock shadow, I will fear no razor, for a tiny wedge of blog roll has been shaven off in my place. Thy after-shave lotion and cologne comfort me. Or something.

  7. smitty
    January 4th, 2010 @ 11:55 pm

    Yea, though I walk through the alley of the 5 o’clock shadow, I will fear no razor, for a tiny wedge of blog roll has been shaven off in my place. Thy after-shave lotion and cologne comfort me. Or something.

  8. Mike LaRoche
    January 5th, 2010 @ 5:07 am

    (Hey, what do I have to to get the Valley on the Blogroll? I will say “ROLL TIDE”)

    Or how about South Texian being added to the blogroll? Must I too declare fealty to the Red Elephants?

  9. Mike LaRoche
    January 5th, 2010 @ 5:07 am

    (Hey, what do I have to to get the Valley on the Blogroll? I will say “ROLL TIDE”)

    Or how about South Texian being added to the blogroll? Must I too declare fealty to the Red Elephants?

  10. Mike LaRoche
    January 5th, 2010 @ 12:07 am

    (Hey, what do I have to to get the Valley on the Blogroll? I will say “ROLL TIDE”)

    Or how about South Texian being added to the blogroll? Must I too declare fealty to the Red Elephants?

  11. Craig
    January 5th, 2010 @ 5:15 am

    ROLL TIDE! I’ll be in Vegas during the game – next best thing to Pasadena.

  12. Craig
    January 5th, 2010 @ 5:15 am

    ROLL TIDE! I’ll be in Vegas during the game – next best thing to Pasadena.

  13. Craig
    January 5th, 2010 @ 12:15 am

    ROLL TIDE! I’ll be in Vegas during the game – next best thing to Pasadena.

  14. JSF
    January 5th, 2010 @ 5:16 am

    Smitty,

    LOL — Thanks for putting me on the Blogroll!

  15. JSF
    January 5th, 2010 @ 5:16 am

    Smitty,

    LOL — Thanks for putting me on the Blogroll!

  16. JSF
    January 5th, 2010 @ 12:16 am

    Smitty,

    LOL — Thanks for putting me on the Blogroll!

  17. Oy Va Goy
    January 5th, 2010 @ 11:21 am

    Have a nice trip

  18. Oy Va Goy
    January 5th, 2010 @ 11:21 am

    Have a nice trip

  19. Oy Va Goy
    January 5th, 2010 @ 6:21 am

    Have a nice trip

  20. Yes, I Am This Crazy . . . : The Other McCain
    January 5th, 2010 @ 9:38 am

    […] checking account overdrawn and overdue bills at the house, I’m flying to Pasadena to cover Alabama’s glorious championship. I’ll be lucky if they don’t shut off my cell-phone while I’m in Pasadena. Robert […]

  21. Agnes B. Bullock
    January 5th, 2010 @ 2:46 pm

    As I posted at No Sheeples- http://nosheepleshere.blogspot.com/2010/01/plan-c-and-art-of-never-giving-up.html

    “What has occurred simply must fall under the definition of cruel and unusual punishment!!!! Simply immoral- you should have been included. It will simply be a hedonistic orgy of Caligulan proportions without your presence. SMitty and McCain should be ashamed of themselves!

    To correct this unconstitutional slight, gifts MUST be brought back for the Goddess of Photoshop!!!

  22. Agnes B. Bullock
    January 5th, 2010 @ 2:46 pm

    As I posted at No Sheeples- http://nosheepleshere.blogspot.com/2010/01/plan-c-and-art-of-never-giving-up.html

    “What has occurred simply must fall under the definition of cruel and unusual punishment!!!! Simply immoral- you should have been included. It will simply be a hedonistic orgy of Caligulan proportions without your presence. SMitty and McCain should be ashamed of themselves!

    To correct this unconstitutional slight, gifts MUST be brought back for the Goddess of Photoshop!!!

  23. Agnes B. Bullock
    January 5th, 2010 @ 9:46 am

    As I posted at No Sheeples- http://nosheepleshere.blogspot.com/2010/01/plan-c-and-art-of-never-giving-up.html

    “What has occurred simply must fall under the definition of cruel and unusual punishment!!!! Simply immoral- you should have been included. It will simply be a hedonistic orgy of Caligulan proportions without your presence. SMitty and McCain should be ashamed of themselves!

    To correct this unconstitutional slight, gifts MUST be brought back for the Goddess of Photoshop!!!

  24. Agnes B. Bullock
    January 5th, 2010 @ 3:02 pm

    I am forced to defend Carol from this vicious onslaught, while encouraging hitting the tip jar. I simply cannot take the pressure of the bloodbath between His Fearlessness and the Goddess. What would the left think (if they could)

    http://trainwife1962.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/no-sheeples-here-plan-c-and-the-art-of-never-giving-up/

    ROLL TIDE!!!!

  25. Agnes B. Bullock
    January 5th, 2010 @ 3:02 pm

    I am forced to defend Carol from this vicious onslaught, while encouraging hitting the tip jar. I simply cannot take the pressure of the bloodbath between His Fearlessness and the Goddess. What would the left think (if they could)

    http://trainwife1962.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/no-sheeples-here-plan-c-and-the-art-of-never-giving-up/

    ROLL TIDE!!!!

  26. Agnes B. Bullock
    January 5th, 2010 @ 10:02 am

    I am forced to defend Carol from this vicious onslaught, while encouraging hitting the tip jar. I simply cannot take the pressure of the bloodbath between His Fearlessness and the Goddess. What would the left think (if they could)

    http://trainwife1962.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/no-sheeples-here-plan-c-and-the-art-of-never-giving-up/

    ROLL TIDE!!!!

  27. Victor Morton
    January 5th, 2010 @ 4:29 pm

    Here’s some Alabama cheerleaders here.

  28. Victor Morton
    January 5th, 2010 @ 4:29 pm

    Here’s some Alabama cheerleaders here.

  29. Victor Morton
    January 5th, 2010 @ 11:29 am

    Here’s some Alabama cheerleaders here.

  30. WarEagle
    January 5th, 2010 @ 8:21 pm

    Go Longhorns!

  31. WarEagle
    January 5th, 2010 @ 8:21 pm

    Go Longhorns!

  32. WarEagle
    January 5th, 2010 @ 3:21 pm

    Go Longhorns!

  33. Charles Johnson
    January 5th, 2010 @ 10:25 pm

    Stay out of my state you Conservative White Supremacist™

    I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. The conservative blogosphere on fire as my sycophants set the blaze. I’ve watched Pamela Geller’s forbidden breasts glitter in the dark as I purge the tea baggers from the internets. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain. Time to die.

  34. Charles Johnson
    January 5th, 2010 @ 10:25 pm

    Stay out of my state you Conservative White Supremacist™

    I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. The conservative blogosphere on fire as my sycophants set the blaze. I’ve watched Pamela Geller’s forbidden breasts glitter in the dark as I purge the tea baggers from the internets. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain. Time to die.

  35. Charles Johnson
    January 5th, 2010 @ 5:25 pm

    Stay out of my state you Conservative White Supremacist™

    I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. The conservative blogosphere on fire as my sycophants set the blaze. I’ve watched Pamela Geller’s forbidden breasts glitter in the dark as I purge the tea baggers from the internets. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain. Time to die.

  36. Joe
    January 5th, 2010 @ 10:49 pm

    One of Andrew Sullivan’s readers started off his letter posted on 05 Jan 2010 01:55 pm as such:

    I realize you rarely get to travel in true “teabagger country” but here in rural Mississippi, there is an interesting phenomenon occurring that the Brit Hume brouhaha brings into clearer focus…

    Don’t jump to conclusions there, I am sure Andrew Sullivan visits “teabagger country” far more than you give him credit for. We just have to call him on it.

  37. Joe
    January 5th, 2010 @ 10:49 pm

    One of Andrew Sullivan’s readers started off his letter posted on 05 Jan 2010 01:55 pm as such:

    I realize you rarely get to travel in true “teabagger country” but here in rural Mississippi, there is an interesting phenomenon occurring that the Brit Hume brouhaha brings into clearer focus…

    Don’t jump to conclusions there, I am sure Andrew Sullivan visits “teabagger country” far more than you give him credit for. We just have to call him on it.

  38. Joe
    January 5th, 2010 @ 5:49 pm

    One of Andrew Sullivan’s readers started off his letter posted on 05 Jan 2010 01:55 pm as such:

    I realize you rarely get to travel in true “teabagger country” but here in rural Mississippi, there is an interesting phenomenon occurring that the Brit Hume brouhaha brings into clearer focus…

    Don’t jump to conclusions there, I am sure Andrew Sullivan visits “teabagger country” far more than you give him credit for. We just have to call him on it.

  39. R. David Pickens
    January 6th, 2010 @ 5:09 am

    Hey R.S. McCain! Just back from California where our mighty Buckeyes from the Ohio State University took care of business. Tide should care of business too!

    Have fun in Cali! Beats the hell out of D.C!

  40. R. David Pickens
    January 6th, 2010 @ 5:09 am

    Hey R.S. McCain! Just back from California where our mighty Buckeyes from the Ohio State University took care of business. Tide should care of business too!

    Have fun in Cali! Beats the hell out of D.C!

  41. R. David Pickens
    January 6th, 2010 @ 12:09 am

    Hey R.S. McCain! Just back from California where our mighty Buckeyes from the Ohio State University took care of business. Tide should care of business too!

    Have fun in Cali! Beats the hell out of D.C!

  42. Richard Cook
    January 7th, 2010 @ 11:07 pm

    Love that word ruthless. So did Shakespear: “If the Senate would lay aside their ruth and let me use my sword I’d make a pile of those quartered slaves as high as I could pick my lance.”

    Coriolanus

  43. Richard Cook
    January 7th, 2010 @ 11:07 pm

    Love that word ruthless. So did Shakespear: “If the Senate would lay aside their ruth and let me use my sword I’d make a pile of those quartered slaves as high as I could pick my lance.”

    Coriolanus

  44. Richard Cook
    January 7th, 2010 @ 6:07 pm

    Love that word ruthless. So did Shakespear: “If the Senate would lay aside their ruth and let me use my sword I’d make a pile of those quartered slaves as high as I could pick my lance.”

    Coriolanus

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