Buzz Blog

I originally posted this at Exurban Adventures, but it has broader appeal than just Gwinnett. Enjoy.

I spoke today with Christian music superstar Toby Mac who just a few weeks ago took home four Dove Awards including Artist of the Year.

We talked about his new CD/DVD release Alive and Transported (which hits the shelves May 27th), Pope Benedict, creativity and passion.

Here’s the interview:

Toby Mac will be in town on June 19 as a part of Atlanta Fest at Stone Mountain Park. Atlanta Fest is one of the largest Christian music festivals in the country.

Overall I think David Cook won the night. David A. sung well but was a bit boring I thought while I think Syesha performed well but not great. I would put Cook and Syesha (gasp) in the finale, thought it would be the shock of the season if I was right.

Dial Idol shows the two Davids sprinting to a final showdown.

This is pretty funny.

Many may make think Barack Obama has the Democratic nomination all but wrapped up but apparently that news hasn’t reached Clinton HQ:

And Clinton’s chief spokesman, Howard Wolfson, went on “Fox News Sunday” to state and re-state a firm belief that his boss would win and she was in the race until somebody got 2,209 delegates, which would mean counting Florida and Michigan.

McAuliffe was in there swinging too on both “Face the Nation” and “Meet the Press,” arguing that Clinton still has a chance to win the party nomination.

The Super Delegates have no one to blame but themselves for this situation - they could end it tomorrow by backing a candidate. Still, they choose to wait and see what happens…not that I’m complaining,

Now you can ask Senator and soon to be self-declared Democratic Nominee Barak Obama any question you like. Just visit this helpful website from the GOP and ask away. One wonders if Obama will answer these questions since he really doesn’t like that sort of thing.

I spoke this morning with Eleonora Falci of Radio Popolare in Rome (Italy, not Georgia). She contacted me to get my take on the 2008 US Presidential election and why I’m supporting John McCain.

You can listen to the raw audio here. When the actual edited audio is available I’ll post it.

After last night’s disaster, will Hillary Clinton drop out? She made some movement toward that by saying she’ll work for the Democrat’s nominee, and some talking heads speculated she’d quit soon but this morning I received this via email:

Tonight’s victory in Indiana was close, and a margin that narrow means just one thing: every single thing you did to help us win in Indiana helped make the difference.

Every call you made, every friend you spoke to about our campaign, every dollar you contributed made tonight’s victory possible. And I couldn’t be more thankful for your hard work.

Every time we’ve celebrated a victory, we’ve celebrated it together. And tonight is no exception. This victory is your victory, this campaign is your campaign, and your support has been the difference between winning and losing.

Thank you so much for making this campaign possible. Let’s keep making history together.

I don’t think she’ll drop out unless Super Delegates move toward Obama in a big way. The race has not changed in several weeks now, only Super Delegates will decide when it ends and who wins.

UPDATE: There’s no way Clinton is dropping out any time soon. Read this from a second email from the Clinton campaign:

Today, in every way that I know how, I am expressing my personal determination to keep forging forward in this campaign.

After our come-from-behind victory in Indiana, there are just 28 days of voting left. But we’ve never campaigned with the stakes as high or the time as short as they will be over the next four weeks.

And with you by my side, I’m going to keep fighting for what I believe in until every voter has had his or her say.

I just got home and haven’t watched the show yet. Nevertheless feel free to comment and vote in the poll. Dial Idol ranks the contestants this way:

1) David Cook
2) David Archuleta
3) Syesha Mercado
4) Jason Castro

I’ll let you know if I agree after I watch the show. Dial Idol say Jason is going home, which would not surprise me, he’s not in the same league as the other three.

Just watching “Cavuto on Business” and, lo and behold , Susan Eisenhower was on to endorse Barack Obama. It was noted that Susan is the grandaughter of Dwight Eisenhower (this was news to me too!). She then explained her reason for this endorsement.
Now, I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but- WHO CARES??
This endorsement is just like all the rest of the “celebrity”
endorsements out there. What difference does it make if the key grip or the best boy or any of the other Hollywood low lifes feel that a certain candidate deserves their vote? The last time I looked, these votes don’t count any more that that of the trashman or the poop scooper in the circus parade.
Of course, I haven’t checked the Democratic Primary rules lately, maybe it means something to them.

Respectfully submitted,
The Oracle Of Winder, GA

Okay, here we are on Election Day and the Oracle needs to predict, once again, the results of the Democratic Race.
It is important to first realize that I am anxiously awaiting the Convention itself, this will be the ultimate reality show! Hillary, Barack, Bill and Howard are going to lead the ultimate meltdown- I wouldn’t be surprised if Howard doesn’t elicit one of his patented primordial roars for our enjoyment.
But back to the two primaries- Hillary takes Indiana by 8-10 % while in North Carolina Barack’s once insurmountable 20 point lead shrinks. If he wins, it will be only by 2-3%.
But I’m going out on a limb and predicting a Hillary squeaker. Yes, you heard it here first- A Hillary Sweep today !!

Respectfully submitted,
The Oracle of Winder, GA

For more on Tesla Motors, click here.

President Jimmy Carter made the decision to boycott the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics to protest the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. The boycott had no impact on Soviet policy; it merely punished the athletes who had worked hard to make the U.S. Olympic team. Boycotts usually punish the wrong people. Some are calling for America to boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympics because of China’s terrible human rights record. It was the wrong decision to boycott in 1980 and it would be the wrong decision in 2008.

The worldwide protests of the Olympic Torch run have bewildered the Chinese government. They have no understanding of expressions of opinion, and as such protests have little or no impact on their behavior. The protests have however brought increased scrutiny on Chinese policy and prior abuses. The most prominent of these abuses has been the forcible takeover of Tibet in 1950. Clearly the high profile of the Dalai Lama has helped raise this issue, but Tibet is by no means the only issue being raised. For example the report yesterday of the viral outbreak that infected 10,000 children and killed at least 95, points to the ineffectiveness of centrally planned health care. Scrutiny of this kind will increase pressure on the Chinese government…. which is a good thing.

Boycotting the Olympics would not have any affect on the Chinese Communists. In fact boycotting the Olympics might drive China inward, away from the rest of the world. Instead of boycotting the entire Olympics, President Bush and his Administration should not attend the Opening Ceremonies or any other part of the Games. Doing this would send the proper message to the Chinese government and reward our athletes.

The blowout loss on Sunday to the Boston Celtics should not over shadow just how successful this post season was for the Atlanta Hawks. The fans in Atlanta are excited about the Hawks for the first time in a long time. Three sellout crowds were there to cheer on the hometown team, not the opposing team. Season tickets sales for 2009 are reportedly going well and why not?

In the three games in Atlanta, the Hawks showed what they are capable of. When they run, play unselfishly and smart, these Hawks can play toe to toe with the NBA’s best. What they need to learn is how to transfer the high level of play they exhibited at home in this series to the road and learn how to play consistently well over the 82 game season. Things are certainly looking up for the Atlanta Hawks but danger lurks.

The fighting between Steve Belkin and the Atlanta Spirit must be resolved soon to allow the Hawks front office to function in a more orderly fashion. Given Joe Johnson’s emergence as a real live NBA star, Belkin was proven wrong and maybe the owners can work things out. The other concern I have is the status of Head Coach Mike Woodson.

Listening to local sports talk radio, I’m shocked at the number of callers who want Woodson fired. I think that would be a serious mistake. The Hawks have improved every year under Woodson and surely the team’s performance against the Celtics bought him another season. What the Hawks need is consistency. To change coaches now would cause a disruption and could blunt the momentum they currently have.

Hopefully the Hawks organization will keep Mike Woodson, add strength to the bench and have a great 2009.

Mr. Obama-
You characterize the proposed gasoline tax holiday as merely a political stunt that doesn’t solve the problem. I, for one understand your dilema- sort of like saying you weren’t there when Rev. Wright made all those racist and anti American comments, huh?!?
But more to the point: a reduction in Federal taxes for any reason, for any length of time is a GOOD thing! The government gobbles up far too much of our money now to feed the pork barrel.
As you say, this will only save Americans pennies in the long run. So, Mr. Obama the loss will be insignificant to the Treasury as well. If you want to offset those pennies, you could easily reduce Congressional staffs, reduce Congressional junkets or even learn to reduce the Budget. You will notice I didn’t mention reducing Congressional pay although this is a definite possibility.
In closing, Mr. Obama do not dismiss the idea of a Federal gas tax holiday so cavalierly, the American people could use the help.

Respectfully submitted,
The Oracle Of Winder, GA

Today is National Day of Prayer.

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Our Task Force is a privately funded organization whose purpose it is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer. It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America’s leaders and its families. The Task Force represents a Judeo Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.

No matter your political persuasion, I hope you’ll join me in taking a moment to pray for our country today.

Georgia Tech’s Tashard Choice was drafted in the 4th round by the Dallas Cowboys and received a call from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Listen to the call here.

Choice racked up 2852 yards and 22 touchdowns in his Junior and Senior seasons at Georgia Tech.

I predict he’ll contribute in a meaningful way to the Cowboys this season.

UPDATE: Paula Abdul spoke with Atlanta’s Q100 and tried to explain what happened…but then accidentally called the station twice.

During “A.I.’s” broadcast Tuesday night, (SEE VIDEO) Abdul attempted to critique contestant Jason Castro on his two performances from the Neil Diamond songbook. The problem?

At the time of Abdul’s comments mid-way through the show, the dreadlocked singer had one performed song, “Forever in Blue Jeans.”

During the show Abdul also confused contestants Brooke White and Syesha Mercado.

On Q100 Wednesday, Abdul blamed the screw up on “A.I.” producers, explaining that the judges were not alerted to the change in format until the show was live.

Abdul also disputed claims from conspiracy-minded Internet bloggers that the judges were handed pre-scripted comments in advance.

Q100’s Bert Weiss also asked Abdul point-blank if her confused state on-air Tuesday was possibly the result of medication taken for an old neck injury.

Responded Abdul: “I do have pain in my neck. But I don’t take drugs that make me act differently on show days.”