Obama Criticism: Are YOU A Racist?

Hat Tip: No Blood For Sauerkraut

My Ravin'

I wrote the original version of this poem two years ago when Michigan, in the throes of a budget standoff and massive deficits, stood on the brink of a government shut down. Our Governor did not learn from that experience; on the contrary. We now face an even larger deficit and plummeting revenues due to high unemployment, tanking property values and mass population exodus to 'greener pastures'.  Now as then, the Governor's only solution is higher taxes on the few who remain. Of course.

With that in mind, and my sincere apologies to Edgar Allan Poe for poetic license taken, I offer the following commentary on Michigan's current down-to-the-wire budget negotiations.

My Ravin'

by Grammy Cracker

Once upon a midday dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a politician's proposed budget fixes,
While I listened, nearly snapping, suddenly there came a yapping,
An irritating, droning yapping, yapping from my radio.
''Tis the Governor,' I muttered, 'yapping from my radio.'
Quote Ms. Granholm, 'Tax some more!'

Ah, distinctly I remember the elections that November,
And each brazen lie the Governor's campaign told.
Eagerly I wished for Wednesday and the news that she was history,
But the day was filled with sorrow - sorrow for the lost DeVos -
For the fine and decent candidate the voters did ignore.
Quote Ms. Granholm, 'Tax some more!'

Now my state is in a pickle, and with a Governor so fickle
Comes word she will not the reckless spending stop.
She wants instead to keep it lax and impose another tax.
Another tax upon the people? Let me tell you, that is evil!
We should have shown Jenny the door.
Quote Ms. Granholm, 'Tax some more!'

Residents will flee the state, and at Jenny's present rate
No one will be left at last, left to pay her lousy tax!
We'll remember - next November - all who pass a tax increase.
They will have to look for work; in 2010 their goose is cooked.
Say it with me, loud and clear: We won't take it, Governor!
Quote the people, 'Never More!'

Avinu Malkeinu

Unidentified Cantor

Yom Kippur: Our Father, Our King

Svetlana Portnyansky, 'Avinu Malkeinu'
Avinu malkeinu

khaneinu va'aneynu

sh'ayn banu ma'asim
Ase imanu tzedakah
va'khesed v'hoshe'eynu

Our Father, our King,
Be gracious unto us and answer us
For we are unworthy.
Deal with us in charity and loving-kindness
And save us.

In 2009 Yom Kippur (Jewish Day of Atonement) begins at sundown on Sunday September 27 and ends at nightfall on Monday September 28.

Friday Funnies

Henry Payne

RIP: Art Ferrante

Art Ferrante, half of the iconic piano duo Ferrante and Teicher, passed away today at 88.  My mother loved their music and I think listening to them as a child influenced my life-long love affair with the piano.  Mr. Teicher died last year, so they can resume their duets in Heaven.  Rest in peace,  Mr. Ferrante, and thanks for the wonderful memories.

Ferrante & Teicher, 'Exodus'

I Pledge, Done Right

Congratulations to the smart, conservative women at Go Right Girl for this parody of the stupid, liberal celebrity 'I Pledge' video. This is a pledge I will take, too.

Turn, Turn, Turn

We have one Maple tree that likes to get a head start on autumn. Every year, it turns blaze red well before all the others and makes for a really striking display against the all-green woods. The soybeans in the foreground know fall is here, too... they're turning golden yellow and are almost ready to harvest. This is my favorite time of year.

 ¹To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
 ²A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
 ³A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
 ⁴A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
 ⁵A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
 ⁶A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
 ⁷A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
 ⁸A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
(Ecclesiastes 3, King James Version)

Detroit Lions. Joke. Redundant.

NFL Players Mentor Troubled Detroit Lions

Old Time Gospel Sunday

Carrie Underwood, "How Great Thou Art"

'Dry Bones' On Middle East Peace

Dry Bones Blog.com

Hat Tip: Ma Sands

Never Forget. Never Surrender.

In honor of those who died and those they left behind.

Free 'Tea Party Signs' Website Debuts

So many Crumb Crunchers are still looking for Tea Party signs and slogans that I have created a new site just for you.  Tea Party Signs features a slideshow of images from many Tea Parties; find a sign or slogan you like and use it at your next event!  Use of any of the images is free, but if you like what you see, please consider dropping a few coins in the tip jar....

If you have graphics or photographs of your own signs you would like to share with the world, let me know and I can add them.  You MUST be the legal owner of the images; no copyright or intellectual property infringements, please!

Tea Party Express: Troy, Michigan 9/8/2009

Here are the photos I took at the Tea Party Express rally on Tuesday evening. It's hard to get a feel for the size of the crowd because I couldn't find a high enough vantage point to shoot from. The video clip from our local Fox affiliate describes the scene pretty well; please note that the only snarky person was an Obama supporter....

09:00 09.09.09

The Beatles, 'Number 9'

The Clovers, 'Love Potion No.9'

The Moldy Peaches, 'Lucky Number 9'

Sesame Street, 'My Martian Cutie (Number 9)

In Honor Of Indoctrination Tuesday

Martin Luther King:

"I have a dream."

Barry Hussein Obama:

"Dream a little dream of ME"

What's in your child's curriculum today?

The Fungus Among Us

There is beauty in all things. I found these fantastic fungal growths in my yard. The 'skeleton' of a cicada is especially interesting to me because it's still hanging from the bottom of the shelf mushroom, frozen in time, 'eyes' still glowing green in the sun.

Old Time Gospel Sunday

Cedarmont Kids, 'Jesus Loves Me'

The Birds, The Bees, and The Aralia Trees

Have you ever heard a tree sing?

My Aralia spinosa tree is in full, beautiful bloom right now and thousands of bees are working overtime in it. When you walk underneath, the tree sounds like it's humming. Loudly. It's really amazing, so I took my camera and a step ladder outside and took some pictures.... here's one of them.

Detroit Hearts Jazz!

This weekend Detroiters are celebrating the 30th anniversary of our beloved Detroit International Jazz Festival, formerly known as the Montreux Detroit. For all it's problems, this is still a great town, and we love our music. If you can, come join us. If you can't, enjoy this little taste of the sights and sounds of the Motor City.

Detroit International Jazz Festival, featuring The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Marcus Belgrave & The Miracles

Friday Funnies

Michael Ramirez, Townhall.com

Whom Will You Serve?

"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or (A)the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." ~ Joshua 24:15 (NASB)

Here's a video cavalcade of colossal stupidity; American B-list 'celebrities' pledging to serve Barack Obama! Well, I guess we know which choice they made. Fail.

Hey Hollywood, here's MY pledge. I pledge to refrain from buying, renting, watching or listening to any of your movies, videos, music or books. I have made my choice: as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Thursday Morning Jazz Interlude

Wayman Tisdale [with Toby Keith], 'Never Gonna Give You Up'

The Bumper Of My SUV

The first clip was recorded live at the Grand Ole Opry and includes Chely Wright explaining the back story for this song. The second clip is the studio version and runs about 3 minutes shorter.

Chely Wright, 'The Bumper Of My SUV', Live at the Grand Ole Opry