BroadSideoftheBarn.com

Obama Iraq

2008-07-17T17:26:00.001-07:00

Obama Iraq

Dara Torres Person of the Week

2008-07-10T20:09:00.000-07:00

Amazing Tornado Video

2008-06-05T16:58:00.000-07:00

I'm a Fallen Independent

2008-06-03T19:07:00.000-07:00

Well it's official I'm a Fallen Independent. In my hopes to help elect Senator McCain this year, I've subscribed to the idea that strengthening Republican candidates in general will help turn out Pro-McCain voters to the polls. If someone told me a year ago that I'd be participating in blanket fundraising for Republicans I would have thought they were on something. What makes it even more interesting is that I'm happy about it. This has been a fascinating race and I've had a great seat to watch it from. So maybe my Independent credibility may be damaged, but so what - Go McCain!

Top Ten Ways to Tell the Press is in Love with Obama

2008-05-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

10. Newscaster crosses himself before speaking Senator Obama’s name
9. 5:2:1 Ratio of Obama:Clinton:McCain campaign representatives featured on nightly broadcasts.
8. News analysis concludes that only uneducated narrow-minded people don’t vote for Senator Obama
7. Station does expose on SNL bias after they joke about Senator Obama being coddled by the press.
6. Delegate count that is repeated every 15 minutes ends with the proclamation that Senator Obama’s nomination is a mathematical certainty.
5. Press now considers the Clintons Republicans
4. Commentator tears up whenever someone challenges Senator Obama’s experience level.
3. Newscast breaks into Clinton or McCain speech with Obama speech.
2. Commentator flies into a rage when Senator Clinton wins a primary
1. Shivers shoot up their leg when Senator Obama speaks.

From McCain Independents

Democrats Dream Ticket

2008-04-28T10:45:00.001-07:00

Tip to Bloggers - Link!

2008-04-27T17:22:00.000-07:00

A Blogger Tip from McCain Blogger Resources

The importance of linking is not only the traffic generated through that link, but links are a key element of how search engines determine the importance and ranking of a site. With a group of like the McCain/MV08 bloggers, it is simply beneficial to all involved to give another site in the network, your buddy, a friendly, or well-liked site a link. Here are some ways people like to link...

The Quote: "The House of Representatives faces a historic choice next week when it votes on whether or not to pass the New GI Bill. This vote decides whether our nation will honor its newest generation of veterans and invest in the future of the men and women who have been serving in harm's way. We need your help." from Mad Irish Man's Conservative Consortium

The Plug: Here a couple new blogs worth checking out...

McCain Independents focuses on Snator McCain's support among Independent voters.

Now Hampshire - New Hampshire news and politics.

The Story: John McCain shows support from a wide range of groups including Blue Dog Democrats, Independent Voters, Jewish Voters, McCain Moms, Libertarian Voters, Rudy Supporters, Veteran Voters, and Asian American Voters making up a broad coalition of voters.

*Also and example of keyword links.

Keyword Links: In it's simplest form these links use relevant keywords to link to sites or particular pages within a site. This can help a site/page win over particular keywords. They can be within the context of an article or simply as a random group of words as follows...

Bassoon Profiler Bassoon Reed Profiler Bassoon Reed Carver Oboe Gouge Machine Oboe Gouger Oboe Reed Gouger Dog Lawn Dog Lawn Spots Natural Flea Collar Dog Insect Collar Cat Glucosamine Purple States

McCain Blogs, Sites, Networks Spreading

2008-04-24T05:11:00.000-07:00

While the McCain online presence has lagged behind the Democrats, there has been a recent increase in supporter run pages. A key element of connecting and promoting the average McCain blogger or site owner has been the McCain Victory 08 Blog Roll. This lists many of the active pro-McCain sites on the web. Some of these sites are strictly dedicated to supporting Senator McCain for President, while others focus on other topics yet also are signed on as McCain supporters. For example this post was originally published at Broad Side of the Barn, a site with a broad focus yet often used to host McCain related pages like the McCain Traffic page. An affiliate of that site is Purple People Vote, a site for Independents and Moderates that is focused on the presidential race. Yet recently there has been the addition of sites like McCain Google Groups, which focuses on state based volunteering and resouces. A couple new and promising social network sites have emerged, McCain Now and John McCain 2008. These site include a variety of features such as individual blogs, and topic discussions. They add a new wrinkle to McCain SocNets; though MySpace and Facebook still have active McCain groups too. A couple of the major McCain contributor based blogs include Blogs 4 McCain and Blogs for McCain Victory. There is always a need to increase the reach of the McCain online presence. For those who would like to become bloggers, or would like blogging tips there is McCain Blogger Resources. It includes a simple how to article for McCain supporters to set up there own blog. As more sites go online an join the growing McCain blogger/online volunteer community the message and reach of the McCain campaign is given a better opportunity to grow. Bloggers, site owners, network managers all welcome newcomers and hope you will consider volunteering online and off.

Cat Talk - Reposted Favorite

2008-04-23T10:49:00.001-07:00

Broad Side of the Barn Final Stage Construction

2008-04-10T09:05:00.000-07:00

BroadSideoftheBarn.com is in it's final stages of construction. Please leave feed back if there is anything else you'd like to see. Favorites, story links, new graphics will be added shortly to complete this phase of redesign and contruction. Thank you for your patience.

Christopher Walken Family Reunion

2008-04-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

Looking for Hookers with My Mother

2008-04-02T10:32:00.000-07:00

Not a lot of people can say that they went out looking for hookers with their mother. I can. Shortly after college I went on a cruise with my mother, aunt, and members of my aunt’s church group. We started in England and went up the coast of Norway back down finishing up in France. Norway was beautiful, and we made several stops along the way wandering through the towns taking in the sites and learning about the area. We joked that I was becoming my mother’s body guard as I would follow a few steps behind her as she was almost hit by bicyclists several times, and generally was not too aware of her surrounding as she was looking at the sites more than the traffic patterns.

One night at dinner my mother, my aunt, her friend and I were talking about tomorrow’s activities as we were stopping in Amsterdam. My aunt and mother were discussing how they heard that the prostitutes in Amsterdam stood in glass storefronts. The three of them I thought were joking to about checking out the prostitutes only to find out the following day it was an actual part of our schedule. This coming from my mother was not that surprising, but I thought my aunt and her friend had better sense.

Anyways, that afternoon after visiting Rieks Museum, the Anne Frank House, and touring the canals, my mother, aunt, her friend, and I went out looking for hookers. The belief was that hookers wouldn’t go on duty until the afternoon, so as it got dark we started trying to find the red light district. I started to protest asking if they really thought that this was a good idea; that I didn’t think the hookers likely resided in the nice part of town; and that I doubted that even if they did stand in storefront windows it would not be similar to shopping in a department store. Fortunately, we didn’t really know where we were going and either no one understood us when we asked, or they were simply not willing direct four ladies to the red light district. So as it got darker, it started to dawn on them that this might not be the best-laid plan. My aunt and her friend went off to do something else, and my mother decided that she needed a new pair of pantyhose. She proceeded to ask anyone who would listen if they knew where a drug store was. I again protested, and tried to explain that asking for the location of a drug store may not be wise in a country where drugs are legal. Again this made no impact, however, I remained grateful for the language barrier as no one was able to help her find a ‘drug store’, ‘pot shop’, any other form of drug den, and we went back to the ship free of drugs and prostitutes.

Phase One

2008-03-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Broad Side of the Barn redesign is in progress, and this is just phase one. Thank you for your patience while the site is under construction.

Shifting the Barn

2008-03-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

Opening new elements of the broadsidebarn.com and shifting others around. The Barn will be experiencing some minor or possibly major construction. Please bear with me, this site will get better I promise

Broad Side of the Barn Store

2008-03-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to defray costs, the BroadSideoftheBarn.com is opening the Broad Side of the Barn Store or BroadStore. This is definitely a work in progress, but we hope you come and take a look at our offerrings. In time it may just be a useful online shopping resource.

Airplane Clip

2008-03-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

McCain Round Up

2008-03-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

The first McCarnival for McCain ….. from McCainBlogs

Some people are saying they need a reason to vote for McCain. Well, if you are looking for a reason you can find several at Sanity102. Malia writes Give me a reason to vote for McCain, how’s this? She then cites several excellent reasons including his stance on entitlement programs, earmark and pork barrel spending and what I consider the most important reasons, our troops and the Global War on Terror.

If you need an enthusiastic reminder of why you are excited that John McCain will, in all likelihood, be our next Commander in Chief, then you might want to check out Colecurtis The McCain Monitor’s post titled: This Video Clip Never Ceases To Amaze But Inspire Me…He Is Still Here For A Reason. Vicki plays a video that most of us have seen before, but its good to see it again. She reminds us that sometimes we lose sight of the man when we get wrapped up in the politics and oration connected with a campaign. She gives us a reminder of who John McCain, the man, is. ‘Then from out of the crowd you hear a soft but confident voice …. ‘. Go read the rest.
Matt has The ad that is going to win the election. posted at McCainiac. He reminds us of the resistance that Churchill faces when he stood his ground against the Nazis. Its a good reminder of why we need to stand our ground against radical Islamic extremism.

The Marathon Pundit takes a hard look at Obama’s legislative record while he was an Illinois State Senator. In his post Obama’s state legislative record–he got a lot of help provides information on Obama’s starmaker, Emil Jones.

Fausta’s blog has a rather frightening comparison of the man Obama and the man McCain in The Great Non Sequitur. Do you really know who Obama is? What does Obama really offer us as opposed to what he says he offers us? Fausta has some thoughts and facts on that. Its pretty sobering.

The Median Sib gives a passionate and personal argument for why she hopes John McCain is the one who answers that now famous 3 a.m. phone call. In her post Clinton, McCain, Obama: Who do you want for president? she explains why she feels McCain has the integrity, experience, wisdom and courage to deal with whatever is on the other end of that phone call.

Pat at . . . With Both Hands writes a screenplay based on the tete-a-tete between John McCain and a New York Times reporter who apparently was trying to get an angry reaction from McCain. You remember the incident that was played repeatedly as McCain losing his temper. It was a non-starter. Pat plays it out as John McCain Beat the Press or A Man for All Snakes on a Plane

New York for McCain share the McCain profile on 60 Minutes…. Its really is a great profile and well worth watching and sharing with others.

You can find The First 5 of the Top 10 Reasons to be Leary of Barack Obama at the McCain Jewish Coalition of Illinois blog. This article is written from the perspective of why the Jewish community should be leary of Obama. Of course I can think of reasons for most communities to be leery of Obama. The reasons cited by Alan Weisz in this post are certainly applicable to all of us who are Jewish and Christian. Just as Neville Chamberlain believed he could talk to and work with the Nazis, Obama believes he can talk to, reason with and work with the Islamofascists. That naiveté is dangerous for us in the West in particular and for the world as a whole.

Lee Vogler offers us a very passionate and personal post in which he explains What John McCain Means to Me. Lee is a twenty-year-old who describes himself as a political guru (among other things). He uses his blog, Lee Vogler’s Political Points to give us ‘a campaign view from a college eye’. I found his post inspiring. I hope you will go read it.

Christopher Hedges wonders Could McCain Democrats Make The Difference? He relates to us that many Clinton supporters have said they will vote for McCain if Hillary isn’t the democratic nominee and compares them to Reagan democrats.

Still Stacy has a Lolobama for us to enjoy! She’s Still Stacy–Smarter Than The Average Blonde and calls her Lolobama OBAMAVELATION. If you frequent I Can Has Cheezburger? you’ll like this.

Over at 84rules, criticism of the 2005 “Gang of 14″ deal is under the microscope with The Base Is Wrong About The Gang Of 14, with the on-point reminder that if we Republicans lose the White House and don’t get back the Senate, the “nuclear” option will be used against us. (Remember the Coalition of the Chillin’? I was a charter member!)

Army wife (aka “Hooah Wife“) and real-life pal of mine Greta breaks out some video with Reason 7 gazillion to vote for John McCain, which she also posted at Louisiana Conservative. The video is funny, but it’s more realistic than I think the creators intended.

Another good friend, Shannon Nicki (she’s gonna kill me) from The Birthplace of the Process of Illogical Logic, mulls over the “Hussein” question with What’s in a name?, and decides that it’s probably better to just stick with referring to him as the more appropriate B.O. Bonus: Photoshoppy goodness!

Jefferson Poole at Blue Grass, Red State takes a thoughtful look at the Man in the Arena and is struck by its message, saying “the strength exhibited by extraordinary leaders of the past is demonstrated to be a necessity of the present for the health of the future.” He sees a bold and courageous leader as we’ve seen in years past with Teddy Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. That leader is Senator John McCain, and he is the right man for our time.

Economy and health care are two critical issues in this election, says Haydee Florez at America’s Best Choice. We Republicans may not talk about those issues as much as they do on the Left, but we should, as our candidate has the right solutions, which she outlines in her post.

Indiana University student J Will at The Wi11is says John McCain needs an internet video girl for guys like him, like Obama Girl and the others that he showcases in Annihilation Tuesday–a, shall we say, unconventional look at the online campaigns.

Over at Right Wing Nation, Rightwingprof speaks to my inner political wonk with some excellent analysis of polling data in Americans First, Americans Last, Americans Always. If he’s right (and I think he is), we’ll be in good shape in November.

MV08 blogroll-keeper Michael Schuyler of Reality Bytes deconstructs the opposition’s arguments with The Real Deal on the Tanker Deal, an issue that few really understand, while the opposition demagogues it to death. I’m glad he’s explained it, because all I’ve seen is left-wing attacks on McCain thus far. Knowledge is power!

James Carder, who writes at ELECTION 2008: Do We Need Change for the Sake of Change?, left the Republican Party in 2003 but he’s come home for John McCain, as I’m certain others will. James says Don’t Fault John McCain on Iraq - Just Be Thankful That He’s Still Around!, a piece that should appeal strongly to others who are disaffected with the Iraq war. Even though he’s opposed to the war, he understands that since we’re there, we need to finish the job the right way. James, as an independent, has the vote that all the candidates want–and he has chosen John McCain.

Right Wing Squadron’s Boomer asks about The New York Times - Why did they endorse John McCain when they had alleged “dirt” on him? I think that’s a question to which we probably know the real answer, but it’d be nice if there would ever be some honesty from the New York Times. If there were ever doubt that they’re all in for the Democrats, they’ve erased it.

The Old Grey Lady just keeps on trying to find something they can pin on McCain to ruin him. Our good friend, William Teach at The Pirate’s Cove uses a sports analogy to keep score on how the New York Times is doing in their quest to bring McCain down. First they were ‘just wondering’ if McCain had an affair. Then they got to wondering if McCain might not be eligible to run for President since he’d been born out of the country while his parents were serving in the military. Now the Grey Lady Is Just “Wondering” About McCain Getting Cancer Again. The Old Grey Lady keeps playing the same game and keeps losing.

Beth of MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy is looking for a new church and is wondering if it matters what they believe and preach there. She says, I’ve found a church! and even though they preach against every thing she believes in that’s okay because she’s not responsible for what they believe. Sounds like twisted logic doesn’t it? Why, yes it does! She goes on to debunk the arguments of the many apologists of the hate-cult church that Barack Obama has chosen to attend for the past twenty years. You know … if it quacks like a duck ….. Go read her post. Its enlightening.

Beth at Blue Star Chronicles says that Obama Could Put an End to Destructive Racial Politics if He Had the Courage. She wonders why he doesn’t show the leadership and courage to speak openly and with conviction to his followers about their insistence that Obama should not be submitted to the same scrutiny as every other politician. That’s not the behavior of a leader. Its certainly not the behavior we expect to see in someone who aspires to be President of the United States.

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More useful links...
Broad Side of the Barn
Purple People Vote
NH 4 McCain
Broad Side of the Barn Blog
Broad Store
McCain States
McCain Victory
Blogs 4 McCain
Web Inquiry
McCain Blogger Resources
Blogs for Victory
McCain Online Volunteer
SC for McCain
IA for McCain
Circle the Web
Rambling Web
Linked the Web

Johnny Carson Don Rickles Tonight Show

2008-02-24T07:52:00.000-08:00

Pet Diaries

2008-02-18T07:01:00.000-08:00

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's Diary
Day 983 of my captivity:
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.
Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.
The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.
In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.
Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am.
Bastards!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event.
However, I could hear the noises and smell the food.
I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies". I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking.
I must try this again tomorrow - but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.
The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.
The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move.
My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.
For now. . .

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Reprinted from forwarded email.

Spin Off - Web Inquiry Blog

2008-02-16T16:20:00.000-08:00

As BroadSideOfTheBarn.com grows some topics have emmerged as blog-worthy. First, Purple People Vote broke off as a political blog for Independents and Moderates. Now Web Inquiry is spinning off into its own blog on web topics. Web Inquiry addresses a range of internet issues from simple 'how to' advice to more in depth articles such as the effects of the internet on culture, and current trends and technology. This tech blog differs from others in that it is intended for all level of readers, and focuses on a variety of issues pertaining to web usage. Articles may include 'How to Add a Widget to Your Blog', 'Protecting Kids on the Internet', or 'Social Behavior and the Web'. So we hope everyone from the casual web surfer to the expert developer will come take a look at Web Inquiry, and visit us frequently.

Conan, Stewart, Colbert TV Fight

2008-02-09T11:10:00.000-08:00

The Orlando Sentinel: McCain Displays “Leadership, Political Courage And Integrity.”

2008-01-28T09:36:00.000-08:00

“Mr. McCain has proved himself a leader over decades, in the military and then in Congress. He has a strong grasp of public policy, especially national security and foreign affairs. But he has made a name for himself in his willingness to buck the powers that be in Washington, D.C. — including leaders in his own party and powerful special interests — for such causes as campaign-finance reform and responsible budgeting.

In this primary campaign, Mr. McCain has stuck by politically risky positions in favor of immigration reform and mandatory steps to fight global warming. His opposition to federal ethanol subsidies and support for phasing out all farm subsidies probably cost him any chance to win the Iowa caucuses.

Mr. McCain’s rejection of subsidies is rooted in his commitment to free trade, a key issue for Florida. Trade supports hundreds of thousands of jobs here and generates billions of dollars in sales for state companies and farmers.

As last week’s presidential debate in Boca Raton showed, Mr. McCain is not the most polished Republican candidate on the stump. That title goes to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. But Mr. Romney’s evolution in recent years from a moderate to a conservative better aligned with GOP presidential primary voters raises doubts about his core beliefs and commitment to principle.

Like Mr. Romney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee have executive governing experience that Mr. McCain lacks. But none measures up to Mr. McCain’s level of leadership, political courage and integrity.”

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-ed28108jan28,0,4161101,print.story

First Posted at http://blogs4mccain.com/

Governor Crist Endorses John McCain

2008-01-27T07:54:00.001-08:00

Volunteering in South Carolina

2008-01-22T17:14:00.000-08:00

What a thrill! I was down in South Carolina for about a week volunteering for the McCain campaign and was upstate one county over from Bob Jones University. There were one to two dozen people volunteering many from around the country, and some locals too. If the saying is true that you can judge a person by who he surrounds himself with, then Senator McCain is in good shape. It's a good group of volunteers that donated their time and resources in the effort to get the Senator elected. I've been impressed with both New Hampshire and South Carolina volunteers, and there do seem to be a few similar traits McCain volunteers seem to share. They are smart, passionate, and have a good sense of humor. I don't think any other candidate has volunteers that are so amused by being chewed out, or flipped off by a Democrat or a Romney supporter.

The dedication is evident with volunteers roaming remote regions of South Carolina (areas that GPS systems never heard of) to put out a single yard sign in front of an abscure polling location at 2 to 3 o'clock in the morning the night before the primary. Volunteers spend hours on the phone either convincing people to support Senator McCain or convincing them to actually get dressed and go out to the polls. Honestly, one of the reasons it ended up being so much fun was that we won. The victory party was amazing. The Senator made a great speech, and the magnitude of the comeback was not lost on anyone. It's nice that the Senator and his staff are so appreciative of his volunteers. It probably isn't necessary because his supporters are loyal and dedicated, but it is nice to know that the effort of all volunteers, in state and out, is appreciated deeply.

So on to Florida, and lets finish these early primaries off right!

We’re Not Really Going to Stick The Senator In The Closet Are We?

2007-12-31T05:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday a huge number of volunteers from around the state and the country gathered at the McCain Manchester office for a talk given by a number of campaign officials, and which ended with a visit from Senator McCain. Before the meeting I had been out back helping make a couple signs, and by the time the meeting started the only room left was in the hallway where you could hear, but not really see. Several people gave talks then Senator McCain arrived, discussed the election, thanked everyone, the meeting ended and I headed back to my signs. Several minutes later Senator and Mrs. McCain headed through the back of the office. They were with a few people, and appeared to be looking for something. As they went by one office someone said, ‘It doesn’t have a door, lets go over here,’ and headed for the storage closet. Like a lot of storage closets, it’s packed full of clutter, signs, stickers, pins, paint, etc. As they headed towards the closet, a volunteer who films most of his events said, ‘The closet? We’re not really going to stick the Senator in the closet are we?’ They did. A minute or so later he came out, a fellow who was with him came back over to where a number of us were standing. He was holding a recording device. Apparently Senator McCain had just recorded a message for a family member of his. He said, ‘I feel bad.’ Someone asked why, and he said, ‘We keep asking things of him. Can I take your picture? Can you make a phone call? Can you sign my shoe? Can you stand on one leg? I supposed now’s the time to do it. On January 9th our carriage is going to turn back into a pumpkin.’ During this I was talking with a woman who I’ve volunteered with previously and who has known the Senator for years. She handed me her camera and I took a picture of her with Senator and Mrs. McCain. Then she introduced me to the two of them, which was a thrill. The crowd moved on by and I headed back to my signs.