(Just sharing the results for Cranky Man’s Lawn as compiled for all bloggers by WordPress.com, who host this blogging website. Happy New Year! – Mike)
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 6,200 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 10 years to get that many views.
Caring friends who lend a hand 
Our families here and across the land
Relief for those in Sandy’s wake
National pride despite political make
Unconditional love of a family pet
Courage displayed by selfless Vets
Opportunity for those unafraid of labor
Peace and tranquility for all our neighbors
Intimate moments with those you love
And all these blessings from God above!
“Uh oh …” was my reaction Tuesday night after our poll (Horsham 1-3) closed and our group sat around a table as the votes were tallied. I hadn’t been expecting a Miracle (Rooney over Schwartz), but I thought the Hail Mary (Romney over Obama) might connect. And if not that, then surely the Hare would beat the Tortoise (Smith vs. Casey).
I hadn’t felt particularly confident in the days leading up, even as I pushed the message and radiated a positive demeanor. But when I saw The GOP Headliner up by only 35 votes in our precinct, I was immediately apprehensive.
Beginning Wednesday, I tried several times to write a perspective on the results of Tuesday’s election, but they sounded either vindictive or whiny. The last thing I wanted to do was place blame on someone – like those misguided attempts to vilify NJ Governor Chris Christie. So instead, I’ll just throw out some of my own perceptions, and let it go at that. Bigger Republican minds will grope with this problem, and I’m pretty sure they won’t be placing any calls my way.
Damn good question … Hard to imagine it happening when any Moderate running for The Oval Office feels compelled to zig hard to the Right to survive a primary campaign, then zag back to the Political Middle where all the undecideds reside. What results are too many YouTube moments and enough potential flip-flops to shod a herd of shoobies.
Said Moderate has to stick to his guns; run as a Moderate; and let the dip chips fall where they may. A Conservative doesn’t have that problem in the primary battles; but in this case at least, it probably wouldn’t have altered the outcome.
Seems to me that a Moderate Democrat finds it much, much easier to zig to the Left and then zag back to the Middle than it is for a Republican to do so on the other side. Quite the conundrum …
A disaster from the instant the question was asked during a primary debate in Iowa. How does one candidate – let alone an entire party of them – sell themselves as pragmatic Budget Solvers when not one of them jumped on the theoretical $10 in budget reductions for a $1 boost in taxes deal? Just call it the Norquist Curse.
Romney’s tax returns were an albatross throughout the election, although I supported the position that they were irrelevant and simply political noise created by the Democrats to keep Mitt off-balance.
What I would have done was to release all those past tax returns (assuming there’s nothing mortally wounding in them) during the Democratic National Convention. The Dems would have been sufficiently distracted and the media ruckus the returns stirred up would have pulled some of the limelight away from the DNC fest.
Appears that at least 50% of the Electorate either doesn’t really care or they have a warped sense of how long – in Economic terms – four years really is. Perhaps a new Rule is necessary for limiting how long an incumbent can keep blaming his predecessor for the difficulties of Leadership. One wonders whom President Obama will blame now that he’s the Predecessor-elect …
In my humble opinion, bringing this up in a Presidential election year was a classic case of unholstering the sidearm; pointing it at the top of your Oxford wingtip; and letting loose a round. Even if it wasn’t intended to influence a specific election, it sure LOOKED like it was! So, let’s keep pushing the current initiative to its conclusion and provide another layer of security to an important process. Just leave the politics out of it!
I’m dancing through the minefield here; because for many fellow Republicans these issues will remain of paramount importance. These issues, which include such demographically loaded issues as immigration and gay rights, will continue to be an albatross that prevents the GOP from broadening its political base.
My point here is that, with all the other more direct and pressing problems the Nation faces, we – as a Party – must recognize the political limitations and liabilities these positions represent.
.
Voter impressions from Election Day:
It’s always a fun distraction, while spending a day at the polls, to watch the infrequent voters who only show up for the Big Headline elections. You can spot them when they come in the door, looking as if they just stepped through a portal into another dimension. Is this the right place? Where do I go? Who ARE these people?!?
Pet peeve of mine are those voters who think we have important elections only once every four years.
One woman – with child in tow – had no idea where she was supposed to vote, and instead of taking responsibility for no knowing for herself, promptly and loudly complained that WE weren’t being helpful enough!
Reminded me of a moment during the 2008 election when – again – all the infrequent voters popped up to make their preferences known. One voter, who seemed more interested in proving a “voter suppression conspiracy” than figuring out where her polling place was located, accused us of attempting to suppress her rights when we asked for her place of residence which – by the way – determines which polling place to use.
Convinced we were trying to mislead into going somewhere else to vote (i.e. across the street!), she stormed past us – finger waving all the way – and up the three flights of stairs to the polling room. Five minutes later she comes quickly down the three flights of steps, head bowed, avoiding all eye-contact, and sheepishly walked across Meetinghouse Road to her proper poll location.
Learning something new:
One thing I learned this past Election Day was how Absentee Voters are prevented from casting in-person ballots. This question was brought up to me during the day, and I found out how it works from an election clerk as we watched the early returns at a local restaurant.
When an Absentee Ballot is mailed, the voting roll book is annotated with the fact that the Voter submitted such a ballot. The book is annotated, where the Voter would register with their signature, in red lettering so to be immediately noticeable.
And yes, this election clerk stated that several attempts were made by Absentee Voters to vote in person! When this happens the Absentee Ballot is removed from those to be counted at the end of the night, and the Voter is allowed to cast an in-person ballot. Of course the Voter does have the option to let the Absentee Ballot stand.
Big mistake talking about life on “From the Shoulder of Hurricane Sandy“, when indications were common that the worst of the storm hadn’t even approached!
I’m paying for it now, along with a couple hundred thousand of my closest friends. Roughly 66 hours without power and absolutely miserable.
Landed a generator from my good friend, Bob, who was lucky enough to get re-energized a few days ago. Amazing what a difference a little light and a TV can make in your Sanity Level!
On the other hand, we were so very, very fortunate. And although I tend to post something semi-introspective and maybe a tad humorous on our reaction to being blown back into the early 19th century, I will only be able to do that knowing our situation could have been much, much worse.
Good luck to all those facing long-term displacement or the loss of homes.
Yeah, I know … Not quite as sexy as being in the Eye of Sandy, but hopefully this is as close as we get to it!
We’re getting heavier rain now in squalls. You can actually hear the approaching gusts of wind from well off in the distance, way before they reach you. Damage – so far – is nonexistent. Just rain …. But the worst is still off the Jersey coast, I expect.
You often think the buildup to these once-every-50/100-years/lifetime storms that the reality – once it finishes the 8-day trek through the internet, the National Weather alerts, the local TV “meteorologists” (I always get a laugh there.), the FEMA/State/County warnings – seems a bit disappointing.
But then again, I’m sitting roughly 90 miles away from the surf and ocean, atop one of the highest elevations in Montgomery County, PA … Snug as a bug in a rather dry rug. I’m not out there dealing with the really nasty stuff.
And even if you’re not down on the coast, dodging a rising surf and debris, there are plenty of people living not far at all from where I sit – typing away about nothing of value – who are facing the very real threat of severe water damage to their homes and livelihoods. They live in low-lying areas, near rivers and creeks, they watch with trepidation every rain squall that’s blows our way.
Friends and family you want nothing to harm or threaten.
That’s when you realize this is no simple matter, nothing that can – or should – be downplayed.
You don’t need your life threatened to have your way of life threatened.
Good luck to all who are out there dealing with a more threatening reality!
I hope that independents and undecideds were watching last night, and realized who has been only a heartbeat away from the Presidency the last four years! And the next four, should Obama-Biden get re-elected.
If Condescension is a gradeable debate quality, then certainly Joe Smirky Face carried the night. At least he covered much of the ground President Obama slept through in last week’s debate without noting that the middle class has been buried for the last four years. But the truly troubling aspect was seeing Biden smiling and laughing during discussions of Americans being killed in Libya and the possibility of Iran successfully developing nuclear weapons!
What was THAT?!?
Paul Ryan accomplished exactly what he needed to prove. That he’s a serious man; well schooled in the issues of the day; and sharp enough to be an exceptional Vice President. He did not allow Biden’s cavalier antics to derail his focus or move him off message. He stood his ground; and pushed back when Biden attempted to play his game of dismissiveness.
Truth be told, the debate was a lot closer than the two-touchdown Presidential blowout in Denver last week. And those of us on both sides will never agree on who won. But I really, really hope the voters who were undecided before last night took a long look at who would be a heartbeat away from the Presidency after the November 6 election.
The contrast was remarkable!
There’s only one thing to say about the need for Justice to grow some testes …
Earlier this week, Cranky Man’s Lawn hit 10,000 page views!
As blogs go, it’s a very modest achievement, as the Big Boys on more serious media networks probably accumulate multiples of what has been slowly collecting here in a matter of hours or days. But given this blog about nothing, written by a bit of a nobody, it’s a nice mark to hit.
I take a bit more credit for the number of readers added through some of the local media websites, like Patch, where many of the posts seen here are reproduced.
In any case, thanks to all those willing to listen to guy who vents a bit too much and whose biggest concern most days is the color of his lawn!
Janelle Lynn and Mike Shortall (Jr.)
Been kinda quiet here for the last few weeks, and an explanation is in order.
Just returned from four days in the Williamsport, Pennsylvania area for the wedding of our eldest son, Mike Jr., who married a local gal, Janelle Waltz from Montoursville. It’s definitely official now, as they have both updated their Facebook statuses!
If you have never been there, the area is absolutely beautiful in mid-September. We had four of the best days imaginable, given the perfect weather, great company, and lush backdrop the surrounding hills provided for a truly memorable event.
The past few weeks have been crammed with wedding preparations, bar supply runs, stresses both natural to the situation, self-inflicted, and a bit crazy, like a dog that refused to accept the amenities of an experienced dog sitter. (Don’t ask!) On top of that add in the worries all parents carry with them when their children take another huge step in Life.
Hopefully I haven’t lost too many of you in the meantime. Writing just hasn’t been at the top of the Priorities List.
Promise to post more info and pics later. However at the moment, I’m a bit hung over and worn out.
So for now, allow me to welcome Janelle Lynn Waltz to the Shortall family! Mike Jr. has made an excellent choice, both for himself and for the Shortall family!
It’s been one of those periods where writing – about anything – has not been at the top of my priorities list. Health issues in the family, an upcoming wedding, Summer doldrums, political burnout and a general lack of enthusiasm all combine to muffle my desire to speak in the public square.
Certainly this too shall pass. But in the meantime, some random thoughts and musings.
Steve Van Buren
current Commute Mood. Your worst scenario is waiting until the next traffic opportunity presents itself. Sorry …
Here’s to more productive writing days in the future!
Cranky Man's Lawn 