Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!

I would like to thank all of you who have viewed or commented on my blog. I started this blog in April and this has been a great ride. I would like to look back at three events that defined 2008:

  • The economy: The collapse of the subprime housing market led to the deepest recession in decades. I believe that if the economy were not in a deep recession, then John McCain may have been elected president. Notice that I stressed may because there were a whole lot of other factors that would have swung the election either way.
  • Terrorism: While the surge saved American soldiers' lives in Iraq, the war on terror continues. Radical Islamists bombed hotels in Mumbai while Hamas terrorized Israel with rockets, prompting Israel to go to war in Gaza. On the home front, leftists like Cynthia McKinney and others continue to support terror groups by speaking out against the PATRIOT Act.
  • The decline of Old Media: Major media firms were in financial trouble in 2008, especially NBC and the New York Times, both of which, as documented in this blog this year, have criticized America in their "news" coverage. Broadcast TV networks are losing viewers to cable and the internet. Another reason for the lack of viewership: the continued lack of decency in prime-time and late night TV. As I mentioned in this blog this year, Bill Maher's bigoted comments toward Catholics represented the huge amount of indecency on television in 2008.

Here are my three things to watch for in 2009:

  • The battle for the traditional family. While voters in California, Arizona, and Florida approve measures banning homosexual marriage, the incoming Obama administration could pack the Supreme Court with anti-family, pro-abortion justices if vacancies open up due to retirement or other reasons. Since justices are appointed for life, expect any decisions by an Obama-influenced court to have an impact for decades. This is one reason why we need our leaders to stand up for traditional American values.
  • Iran. With the war in Gaza comes more anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, and anti-American sentiment from Iran. Iran continues to build nukes and sending weapons to Hezbollah and other groups. The big question: will Iran's quest for nukes stop with a bombing raid on its reactors? If so, by whom? If Israel does not bomb Iran, then the US will. If not the US, then Israel. I believe there will be some sort of action against Iran in 2009, though I am not sure if it will be a military action or a coup against the current regime.
  • The DTV transition. On February 17, 2009, all analog full-power television broadcasting will stop and the digital era will begin. There are still many questions about the transition: Will cable systems be completely ready by February 17? How many viewers will broadcasters lose due to the transition? Will the $40 government coupons be effective in preparing antenna-only households for the transition? One thing will be certain: The digital transition will be crucial to the future of broadcasting.

2009 will be an adventure. I hope and pray you will join me as we blaze new trails here on this blog. Regular blogging will resume Friday. See ya next year and God bless. :)

Evening Trio--12/31/08

Politico: Gaza attack reshuffles Israeli political deck

Terror in Mumbai: Voice of America: Pakistani Militant Confesses to Planning Mumbai Attacks

Christian Science Monitor: Tennessee spill revives coal ash controversy

Morning Trio--12/31/08

Daily Telegraph (UK): Gaza truce hopes fade as Israel rejects ceasefire calls

L.A. Times: NASA report details last moments of Columbia crew

AP: Just a second, 2009--the Earth needs to catch up

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!

I would like to say to all of my faithful readers a very Merry Christmas. I am very grateful to God and all of you for making this blog what it is. Unless anything major comes up, regular blogging will resume tomorrow. Your comments are appreciated and--as I usually say when asking for comments--keep it civil and clean. :)

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

The First Christmas

Christmas is not about a man in a big red suit. It is about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. From Luke 2:1-20 (KJV):

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in
a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

This Christmas, remember why Christ was born. Jesus came to earth to die for our sins. Neither the Jews nor the Romans killed Christ. It was our sins--the things that go against the will of God--that put Him on the Cross. He rose from the dead on the first Easter, ascended to Heaven forty days later and is coming soon. The best Christmas gift you can receive is the gift of eternal life. Accept Christ as your Lord and Savior and repent of your sins and you will receive the gift of eternal life with Christ in Heaven.

If you want eternal life and a life free from the bondage of sin, pray this simple prayer with me: Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. Forgive me from my sins. I believe that you died for my sins. I want to turn away from my sin and ask you to come into my heart. I want to follow you, Jesus, as Savior and Lord. In your name, Lord Jesus Christ, I pray, amen.

Evening Trio

WKYT: Four Killed In House Fire

AP: More snow, ice vexes travelers in northern states

Christian Science Monitor: Seattle’s salt-free snow response raises hackles

Christmas Eve 1968: A Lesson For Our Time

Forty years ago today, Christmas Eve 1968, the crew of the Apollo 8 orbited the Moon. While orbiting, the astronauts read the first ten verses of Genesis 1 in the King James Version of the Bible. A huge television audience on Earth watched the stirring reading.

Here is the full text of the reading:

William Anders: "We are now approaching lunar sunrise and, for all the people back on Earth, the crew of Apollo 8 has a message that we would like to send to you.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

Jim Lovell: "And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

Frank Borman: "And God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas – and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth."

Forty years later, while we bicker over whether or not climate change is natural or man-made and bicker over solutions, remember the One who created the heavens and the Earth. He is still in control over the universe and is on the throne today.

Afternoon Trio

Bloomberg: U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Rise to 26-Year High

Fox News: Senate Could Reject Illinois Appointment, Minnesota Victor

Michael Reagan: Left, Right Both Out of Step on Obama's Tapping Warren to Pray

Morning Trio--12/24/08

BBC: Guinea plea to end attempted coup

Daily Telegraph (UK): Hamas fires at Israel, threatening hopes of renewed ceasefire

Wall Street Journal: Wal-Mart to Settle 63 Suits Over Wages

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Evening Trio

AP: Bush pardons 19, commutes 1 prison term

Fox News: Obama Chic: Oahu, the New Western White House?

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Bona ‘Bo’ Ball, 71, put Appalachia in stories

Afternoon Trio

Jerusalem Post: Abbas to Mubarak: PA won't agree to Israel invading Gaza

AP: Obama chooses Lincoln's Bible for inauguration

MarketWatch: New-home sales drop to 407,000 in November, off 2.9%

Tuesday Morning Update

Due to Internet outages yesterday afternoon and this morning plus other commitments, I was not able to post my usual "trio" posts. If all goes as planned, I will have an Afternoon Trio post later today. Also, I will have a special Christmas post later this week. Thanks for your continued loyalty. Your comments are welcome.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Evening Trio--12/20/08

Bloomberg: Mullen Seeks Up to 30,000 More Troops in Afghanistan

Wall Street Journal: Warner Music Content Disappears From YouTube

Lexington Herald-Leader: Meeks' 46 carries Cats in rout

Morning Trio--12/20/08

BBC: Most 'do not believe in nativity' (In the survey, 70% of Brits and one-fourth of British Christians doubt the Nativity occured. How sad.)

L.A. Times: Jerry Brown asks California Supreme Court to void gay-marriage ban (Atty. Gen. Brown took an oath to defend the laws and Constitution of California. He is violating his own oath--and the will of the majority--by asking the court to overturn Proposition 8.)

Wall Street Journal: Bill Clinton's Complicated World

Friday, December 12, 2008

Evening Trio

Baptist Press: Richard Land: Bush not 'theologian-in-chief'

Chicago Tribune: Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan asks court: Remove Blagojevich

AP via WKYT: Winter Weather Causes Major Issues

Afternoon Trio

AP via Courier-Journal: Snow in eastern Kentucky has roads slick

Wall Street Journal: White House Shifts as Auto Rescue Stalls

eWeek: Microsoft Issues Advice on Internet Explorer Zero-Day Attacks

Update: FLASH FLOOD WARNING until 8am...NO SCHOOL in Letcher County

The FLASH FLOOD WARNING continues for Letcher County until 8am this morning. There have been several reports of running water in Letcher County. Numerous reports of standing water have been reported in Letcher County. However, water has started to recede. The winter weather advisory has been canceled. Due to the snow, ice, and floods, there will be NO SCHOOL in the Letcher County and Jenkins Independent districts today.

Elsewhere, many other districts in Eastern Kentucky are also closed due to snow. The hardest hit areas for snow are in Breathitt, Lee, and Wolfe counties, where up to a half-foot of snow fell in parts of those counties.

I will post updates when needed. Post your comments in the comments section.

Morning Trio--12/12/08

Wall Street Journal: Rescue Bid for Detroit Collapses in Senate

L.A. Times: Belgium arrests 14 in anti-terrorism sweep

Lexington Herald-Leader: Turner's career brings him to Pikeville with CBA's Miners

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Evening Trio--12/11/08

National Weather Service: WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY for Eastern Kentucky until 6am Friday

Kentucky Weather Center: Big Easy to Bluegrass Snow Thoughts

AP: Former Kentucky player accused of mortgage fraud

Afternoon Trio--12/11/08

Kentucky Weather Center: Heavy Snow Band Likely To Develop (While Old Media is discounting the possible effects of the storm here in the Commonwealth, Chris Bailey's blog is blowing away the competition.)

Courier-Journal: Beshear proposes 70-cent cigarette tax hike

TechCrunch: Google To Take Chrome Out Of Beta

Morning Trio

Wall Street Journal: Newsweek to Cut Back Staff, Slim Magazine in Makeover (This comes in the same week that Newsweek published what it calls the "religious case for gay marriage." Contrary to what Newsweek states, the Bible condemns homosexual marriage. Read Romans 1:26-29. Sin has consequences not just for individuals, but for businesses and nations. Newsweek is facing those consequences.)

NPR: NPR Cuts Jobs, Cancels Programs

Kentucky Weather Center: Thursday Travel Troubles (Chris Bailey's blog has been consistent in forecasting major storm systems like today's system.)

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Evening Trio

National Weather Service: FLOOD WATCH for far SE Kentucky Thursday

WYMT: Heating Problems Closes Letcher Co. School

Bloomberg: Obama Calls for Blagojevich to Resign as Governor

Afternoon Trio

Voice of America: Universal Declaration of Human Rights Marks 60th Anniversary

Don McNay: Outliers and hatred against hillbillies

Kentucky Weather Center: Winter storm threat continues

Morning Trio

Bloomberg: Democrats, White House Agree on $15 Billion Auto Plan

Bluegrass Policy Blog: Where Mitch McConnell earns his pay (Editor's note: McConnell and Bunning have the guts to speak out against this crappy bailout. Make no mistake: I am for the auto workers. But giving aid and comfort to corrupt unions and corporate bigwigs who fail is wrong.)

Collegehoops.net: Kentucky Basketball: A Flickering Light

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Evening Trio

MarketWatch: Ford tries a new tune

Terror in Mumbai: AP: Tearful Israel mourns 6 victims of Mumbai attack

BBC: Israel convicts top Palestinian

WCYB "most likely" to be dropped from local cable lineup

My cable and Internet provider, TVS Cable, which serves several counties in Eastern Kentucky, recently notified its customers that it will "most likely" drop Tri-Cities TN/VA NBC affiliate WCYB (licensed to Bristol, VA) as of January 1, 2009. This is due to a retransmission consent dispute between WCYB's ownership (Bonten Media Group) and TVS. WCYB is asking TVS to pay cash to carry its signal. In the past, WCYB had not asked for a so-called "carriage charge." If negotiations fail, TVS will drop WCYB and replace it with a MyNetworkTV affiliate. However, NBC programming will not be affected because TVS will continue to carry WLEX in Lexington.

Under federal law, every three years each broadcast station must choose between "must-carry," which allows cable operators to broadcast local stations for free, or "retransmission consent," which forces cable systems to pay cash or ask for other considerations. In recent years, there have been standoffs between cable ops and broadcasters over the retransmission consent provision. One notable example is Time Warner Cable's decision to drop ABC stations from their lineups for a few days in 2000, during the May "sweeps".

TVS Cable serves counties in portions of three TV markets: Knott (its home base), Perry, Breathitt, Wolfe (in the Lexington market), Leslie, Letcher (in the Tri-Cities market), and Floyd (in the Charleston/Huntington, WV market). Recently, TVS has expanded its area to cover the entire city of Whitesburg, which was served by Comcast, which had more Tri-Cities stations on its lineup. Over the years, many Letcher Countians went to the Tri-Cities for shopping and other attractions, thanks in part due to advertising on Tri-Cities stations. However, that caused a loss of tax dollars from Kentucky businesses. With this potential drop of WCYB, I expect some consequences for Tri-Cities advertisers and local consumers.

But this dispute also shows that there is volatility in the Old Media sector. The major broadcast networks are losing viewers to cable networks, DVDs, video games, and the Internet. I have stated over the past few months on this blog that Old Media has showed a lack of balance in its news coverage and has lacked efforts to attract younger viewers to newscasts. That means advertisers, which are always looking to target the all-important 18-34 demographic, are moving away from newscasts. The result: Broadcasters are losing money.

I will post updates on this dispute as warranted. Your thoughts?

Afternoon Trio

Terror in Mumbai: Times of London (UK): Britain and US rush to mediate between India and Pakistan

AP: Pirates fire on US cruise ship in hijack attempt

The Swamp: Mel Martinez bowing out after one term

Morning Trio

AP: Panel warns biological attack likely by 2013

Terror in Mumbai: BBC: India asks Pakistan for fugitives

CNSNews.com: Obama Could End Abstinence Education in Fight Against AIDS

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Evening Trio

Doug Patton: Why I’m Thankful in 2008

Wall Street Journal: Mumbai Attack is Obama's First International Challenge

AP: Indiana woman dies at 115 as world's oldest person

Morning Trio

On this Thanksgiving, I would like to say thank you to God and all of you, my loyal readers, for making the blog what it is. On with the Trio:

Franklin Graham: Giving thanks in times like these

Terror in Mumbai: BBC News has live updates here.

Voice of America: Car Bomb Kills 4 Near US Embassy in Kabul

Monday, November 24, 2008

In Memoriam: Tom Gish and Bob Hale

Eastern Kentucky lost two media legends this week. Tom Gish, the courageous publisher of The Mountain Eagle in Whitesburg, passed away Friday at Pikeville Medical Center. He was 82. According to the AP, Gish, along with his wife Pat, "overcame floods, threats, arson and attempted suppression to deliver news in the weekly publication with the slogan: 'It Screams!'" Editor & Publisher has the AP's obituary here. Even if you disagree with Gish, you have to agree that he had the guts to take on the issues that faced Appalachia: public corruption, education, poverty, and the environmental effects of coal mining. Gish's funeral was held today (Monday) at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church in Whitesburg. Click here to read about the funeral from WYMT.

On Sunday (yesterday), Bob Hale, the longtime co-host of the Faron & Bob morning show on WSGS-FM in Hazard and the station's engineer, passed away at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington after a stroke caused by complications from triple-bypass heart surgery. For nearly 40 years, he was a mainstay at the station. He was also a guitarist. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 3:30pm at the Hindman Funeral Services chapel in Hindman, with visitation there tomorrow night (Tuesday) from 6-9pm. Click here for an audio tribute to Hale. (Windows Media Player required) Click here to read more from WYMT.


My prayers go out to the Gish and Hale families. Post your memories of Gish and Hale in the comments section.

Evening Trio

Fox News: Virginia GOP Rep. Goode Defeated in Late-Decided Election

AP: Facebook wins $873M judgment against spammer

ESPN: Bulk of government's charges against Bonds remain intact

Afternoon Trio

Wall Street Journal: Obama Eyes $500 Billion in Stimulus; Paulson Weighs Ramping Up Aid Again

Voice of America: Palestinian President: Early Elections if No Reconciliation With Hamas

AP: Astronauts venture on 4th, final spacewalk

Morning Trio

MarketWatch: Citi, U.S. reach plan to lift capital, guarantee assets

Wall Street Journal: North Korea Gives Details on Border-Closing Plan

AP via Sporting News: Wildcats will try to even record Monday night

Friday, November 21, 2008

Evening Trio

Courier-Journal: BREAKING: Tom Gish, crusading E. Ky. newspaper publisher, dies

AP: Mukasey feeling better, returns to work

NY Times: Clinton Decides to Accept Post at State Dept., Confidants Say

Afternoon Trio

AP: The year 2025: Oil, dollar out; Russia, Islam in

USA Today: Huckabee says neglected 'value voters' are key to GOP future

Lexington Herald-Leader: Kentucky uses new execution chamber

Morning Trio

Before we get to the Morning Trio, I have posted info on the November snow under--what else?--the "November Snow" post. Read that post for the latest on the unusual event. Now on with the Trio:

AP: Atty. Gen. Mukasey collapses during speech (PRAY for his recovery.)

AFP: Mosul's Christians make timid return after killings

Courier-Journal: Ruling clears way for execution tonight

November Snow

The snowflakes are flying here in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky tonight. Already there is a good dusting in my backyard at Isom here in Letcher County. There is a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY in effect for Letcher and Harlan counties until 10am ET tomorrow (Friday) morning. An additional one to two inches is expected in the higher elevations in those counties, while an additional dusting to half-inch is espected in the valleys.

Just across the state line in Virginia, Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise county schools are all under a two-hour delay for tomorrow. No word yet from other schools in the area at this time.

This snow is unusual for this part of November. Post your thoughts in the comments section. I will post more on the snow if needed.

UPDATE on Friday at 5:47am: Looks like at least an inch or so in my backyard. Many schools in the area are either closed or on a delay due to the snow. This includes Letcher County schools, which are CLOSED while Jenkins Independent is on a two-hour delay. Winter weather advisory continues until 10am. Roads are slick in many spots. Stay safe.

UPDATE: Jenkins Independent is now CLOSED.

Monday, November 17, 2008

BREAKING: Report: Hillary Clinton to be Obama's Secretary of State

The British newspaper The Guardian is reporting tonight that Hillary Clinton will accept Obama's offer and become the next Secretary of State, pending US Senate approval. From the article:

Hillary Clinton plans to accept the job of secretary of state offered by Barack Obama, who is reaching out to former rivals to build a broad coalition administration, the Guardian has learned. Obama's advisers have begun looking into Bill Clinton's foundation, which distributes millions of dollars to Africa to help with development, to ensure that there is no conflict of interest. But Democrats do not believe that the vetting is likely to be a problem.


Clinton would be well placed to become the country's dominant voice in foreign affairs, replacing Condoleezza Rice. Since being elected senator for New York, she has specialised in foreign affairs and defence. Although she supported the war in Iraq, she and Obama basically agree on a withdrawal of American troops. Clinton, who still harbours hopes of a future presidential run, had to weigh up whether she would be better placed by staying in the Senate, which offers a platform for life, or making the more uncertain career move to the secretary of state job.

In my view, Obama's reported--and I stress reported--pick will definitely please the liberal mainstream media because Secretaries of State usually do not take positions on domestic issues. Obama wants the focus regarding Clinton's reported appointment away from her liberal domestic policies and more toward her foreign policy views, which seem, as the article mentions, a little more hawkish than Obama.

Your thoughts???

Evening Trio

AP: Obama and McCain say they'll work together

Bloomberg: Mavericks' Cuban Sued by SEC for 2004 Insider Trading

ESPN: With no change in condition, Hansbrough to sit vs. Kentucky

Afternoon Trio

Albert Mohler: Defender of Faith? Throne Language for the Postmodern Prince

Michelle Malkin: Community bank to Paulson: Take your bailout and shove it!

AP: Somali pirates seize supertanker loaded with crude

Morning Trio

Christian Post: Orissa Bishops Warn of 'Master Plan' to Wipe-Out Christianity

Wall Street Journal: Most College Presidents' Pay Climbing

Sports Network: Three-Peat: Johnson captures record-tying third-straight Cup title

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Evening Trio

San Jose Mercury News: California's bad fire season could have been worse

WKYT: Elderly Letcher County Woman Killed In Crash

AP: '07 Horse of the Year Curlin to be retired

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

Pray for my sister Peggy Caudill, who is in the hospital. I will post updates as soon as they are available.

UPDATE at 1:15pm ET: Peggy will continue to be in the hospital another night for observation. I will post more about her condition later today.

UPDATE at 4:56pm ET: Peggy is hoping to leave the hospital tomorrow. Here is the reason for the hospitalization: pain in the pancreas. Earlier in the week, doctors discovered a mass or tumor in the pancreas. Tests will be done on Monday to determine if it is cancerous. PRAY for her to be healed. I will post more when there are any new developments.

UPDATE on Saturday at 1:09pm ET: Peggy is feeling much better...however, she will be in the hospital for one more night. Hopefully she will be home tomorrow. Thanks for your continued prayers.

UPDATE on Sunday at 1:04pm ET: Peggy will be out of the hospital later today. I am very thankful for your prayers.

Morning Trio

Dallas Morning News: Fort Worth Diocese breaks from Episcopal Church

WKYT: WKYT Crew In Wreck

Lexington Herald-Leader: Vandy holds off Cats

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Evening Trio

WSAZ: BREAKING: AK Steel to Idle Plant Operations

UPI: Bush thanks military for 'standing up'

NY Times: Google Uses Searches to Track Flu’s Spread

Afternoon Trio

WYMT: Weekend Accident Leaves Man Facing Murder Charges

Lexington Herald-Leader: Staff cuts hurt radio news

David Whitley: NASCAR red-flagged by ABC (UPDATE at 5:40pm: NASCAR's chairman did not like ABC's move. Click here for more.)

Morning Trio

San Francisco Chronicle via MormonTimes.com: Catholics, Mormons joined to pass Prop. 8 (Interesting quote: "Yes on 8 sought to marshal support among many religions, while the No on 8 campaign often put religion on the sidelines.")

Fox News: Gov. Palin on 2012: 'Don't Let Me Miss an Open Door'

Lexington Herald-Leader: Oil company owner cited for fouling water

Thursday, November 6, 2008

FLASH: Water non-consumption ban lifted in Whitesburg

WYMT is reporting that the city of Whitesburg has lifted the ban on water consumption. This is good news for both individuals and businesses, especially restaurants, which took a financial hit. Since the weekend, residents were told not to drink the water because it was tainted with petroleum.

I hope to have more details about the lifting of the ban soon.

UPDATE at 6:50pm: Mayor James Wiley Craft and County Judge-Executive Jim Ward just made the official announcement on the radio. There are NO restrictions on usage.

UPDATE at 9:13pm: The state Division of Water is advising customers to "flush pipes for several minutes when they resume water use." Read more here.

Evening Trio

AP: Emanuel accepts job as White House chief of staff

Lexington Herald-Leader: Kentucky picked presidential loser for first time since 1960

InformationWeek: Windows 7 Features Include Touch Screens, Better Device Support

Afternoon Trio

Voice of America: Rice in Middle East for More Peace Talks

Dallas Morning News: World reaction to President-elect Barack Obama's win

AP: Feds to provide drought relief to Kentucky farmers

Morning Trio

Lexington Herald-Leader: Letcher County water problems continue

L.A. Times: Extra! Extra! Barack Obama's election win sends newspaper sales soaring

AP via Sporting News: Wildcats not intimidated by Bulldogs

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Election Night 2008

This is the night I have been waiting a looong time for...

5:19pm ET: We are less than an hour away from the polls closing in the Eastern Time Zone portions of Kentucky and Indiana. I will post results from my home base of Letcher County throughout the night as well. While Letcher County is predominantly Democratic, it is a conservative county. Bush took Letcher County in 2004, the first time in a long time that Letcher County voted for a Republican for President. It will be very interesting how a conservative county can view a very liberal Barack Obama.

5:27pm ET: Drudge is splashing this headline: SENATE SOURCES: DEMS SEE 58 SEATS

5:34pm ET: Don't be fooled by exit polls the networks are broadcasting this early. They have a history of being skewered toward the Democrats. FoxNews.com is reporting that a federal judge has ordered the Commonwealth of Virginia to preserve late military ballots. The McCain camp had sued for those ballots to be counted.

5:52pm ET: Drudge is reporting that exit polls in Pennsylvania are showing that Obama is up by 15. Again, I do not trust early exit polls. Pennsylvania's polls close at 8pm ET.

6:03pm ET: Polls just closed in the Eastern Time Zone portions of Kentucky and Indiana. Here in Kentucky, those still in line at 6pm will be able to vote. All those who come in line after 6 will not be able to vote.

6:11pm ET: Already four precincts are in here in Kentucky. McCain leads 64% to Obama's 34%.
Click here for the statewide election returns from the State Board of Elections.

6:18pm ET: John McCain, Bruce Lunsford, and Hal Rogers win the absentee vote here in Letcher County.

6:36pm ET: Two precincts here in letcher County have turned in their votes.

6:50pm: You may think that McCain and Obama are neck and neck here in Kentucky, but most of Obama's votes thus far are in Democrat-dominated Louisville.

6:54pm ET: With 11 out of 32 precincts in here in Letcher County, McCain is crushing Obama.

7:01pm ET: Fox calls Kentucky for McCain, Vermont for Obama.

7:11pm ET: Mark Warner has defeated Jim Gilmore for the US Senate in Virginia, thus giving the Dems a seat.

7:31pm ET: McCain wins West Virginia

7:35pm: Hal Rogers and Geoff Davis keep their US House seats here in Kentucky.

7:37pm: With 29 of Letcher County's 32 precincts reporting, John McCain is poised to keep Letcher County red.

7:49pm: CBS has called South Carolina for McCain.

7:55pm: Incumbent John Yarmuth has defeated Anne Northup for Louisville's US House seat.

8:03pm: McCain wins Oklahoma; Obama takes Illinois, DC, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut.

8:06pm: McCain wins Tennessee. Here in Letcher County, McCain, Lunsford, and Rogers won their respective races.

8:09pm: Fox has called McConnell the winner in the US Senate race here in Kentucky.

8:13pm: NBC has called Pennsylvania for Obama. Fox has called New Hampshire for Obama.

8:31pm: Fox has now called Pennsylvania for Obama and Arkansas for McCain.

8:39pm: Fox has called Georgia for McCain.

8:50pm: McCain wins Alabama.

9:06pm: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Wisconsin for Obama; McCain wins North Dakota, Wyoming, Kansas.

9:19pm: Ugh...Fox has called Ohio for Obama.

9:32pm: McCain campaign disputes projections that Obama won Pennsylvania. Nets stand by their projection.

9:34pm: McCain wins Louisiana.

9:57pm: It appears that Ed Whitfield will maintain his seat in Congress, defeating Democrat Heather Ryan in Western Kentucky's 1st District. Brett Guthrie is leading in the 2nd. Yarmuth, Davis, Rogers, and Chandler are heading toward victory.

10pm: Texas, Utah for McCain; Iowa for Obama

10:03pm: McConnell is making his victory speech right now.

10:17pm: Lunsford is now giving his concession speech. On a non-political note, there will be NO SCHOOL for the Letcher County School System tomorrow due to the Whitesburg water crisis. The Lexington Herald-Leader has more on the situation here.

10:18pm: Mississippi stays red--Fox projects McCain will take The Magnolia State.

10:23pm: Courier-Journal calls Kentucky's 2nd District congressional race for Brett Guthrie. The balance of power for Kentucky's US House delegation remains the same--four Republicans, two Democrats. Fox calls Nebraska for McCain.

10:35pm: Christian blogger Justin Taylor at Between Two Worlds has an excellent post about what Christians must think regarding our leaders, especially our next President.

10:43pm: Fox calls Virginia for Obama. First time since 1964 that Virginia has gone for a Democratic nominee for President.

10:54pm: AP joins Fox in calling Virginia for Obama. It appears that history will be made at 11pm.

10:57: McCain wins South Dakota.

11pm ET: BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA MAKES HISTORY AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT

11:13pm: Good news for the GOP: Looks like the Dems will fall short of a filibuster-proof majority in the US Senate.

11:16pm: The AP is reporting that McCain has called Obama to congratulate him on winning the Presidency.

11:18pm: Fox News' electoral count: Obama 297, McCain 155. Few states have yet to be called. The McCains are about to speak.

11:19pm: McCain has conceded the race.

11:42pm: What a great speech by McCain. On a personal note, while I am strongly disappointed with the outcome, as a Christian, I will pray for Obama and Biden, their families, and their future Cabinet. In addition, I pray that their hearts would realize the importance of the least among us--especially the unborn and the elderly. I also pray that they would realize the importance of God's Word and the role of Israel. I also am praying for McCain, Palin, Bush and Cheney and their families as they look forward to the future.

As I wind down my thread, you can look at the Google election map at the bottom of the blog. Thanks for hanging around. God bless all of you and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Evening Trio: Election Day

AP: Long lines greet voters as polls are deluged

Lexington Herald-Leader: Keep an eye on Kentucky Senate race

National Weather Service: Dense Smoke Advisory for Lee, Breathitt, Owsley, Perry, Clay, and Leslie counties tonight and tomorrow morning due to forest fire

Afternoon Trio: Election Day

WorldNetDaily: Report: Obama backs Palestinian capital in Jerusalem

ABC News: What If the Presidential Election Is Tied?

Fox News: Broken Machines, Shortages Plague Voters Around the Country

Morning Trio: Election Day

Kentucky residents: Get information on the election here.

Baptist Press has candidates' positions on key social issues here.

After you vote, get the returns for Kentucky here.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Election Eve Thoughts

As we approach the end of the longest political campaign in human history, some perspective:

1) In the election season of 1980, virtually all polls indicated that the race between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan was too close to call. Reagan eventually won in a landslide. The December 1, 1980 issue of Time explains this further. Think about this when you hear these polls which indicate that Obama is leading despite the fact that McCain is closing in and there is a sizable number of undecideds. (On a sad note, Obama's grandmother died in Hawaii today. My prayers go out to Obama's family.)

2) With that in mind, I believe that McCain can and will win. This is because of the reasons above, as well as the revelation that Obama wants to bankrupt the coal industry--which will not play well in battleground Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio--and tonight's announcement by Alaskan investigators that Sarah Palin did not break any ethics laws in the "Troopergate" investigation.

3) How many electoral votes and states will McCain win? I am not sure, but Pennsylvania is the key to a McCain victory. While Gore and Kerry won the vote in 2000 and 2004, respectively, Bush won the most counties. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are traditional Democratic strongholds while central and northern portions of the state are solidly Republican. Another thing to watch is the US House race between John Murtha (D) and Bill Russell (R). Murtha called the people of his Western Pennsylvania district "racist" and "redneck" last month. Those comments, plus Obama's comments about coal, could swing the state in McCain's favor.

4) There are constitutional amendments on the ballot in California, Arizona, and Florida to define marriage as that of one man and one woman. While the Left and Hollywood are spending millions to defeat the measures, the tide is turning in favor of the amendments. I hope and pray that those measures pass. The traditional family is the cornerstone of Western Civilization.

5) Our men and women in uniform are serving overseas defending America's freedoms. It was announced today that a member of the Kentucky National Guard gave his life in defense of freedom. Remember those who have served--and those serving now--when you vote. NEVER take your vote for granted.

6) On a non-political note, PRAY for those affected by the water crisis here in Letcher County. The Whitesburg water system was contaminated by leaking petroleum over the weekend and the water is unsafe. Bottled water is being brought in. WYMT has coverage here. Thankfully I am not affected by the crisis because I have well water.

I will have an Election Night open thread and will have breaking news throughout the day if needed. Post your thoughts...keep it civil and clean.