The Stonecipher Report

What is Blue, Republican, and Has No Numbers?

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Mar. 31, 2009

OK – quick quiz time…ready? Is a proposed "budget" that doesn’t include actual numbers in it any kind of budget at all…or is it just apparently some kind of promotional prop to distract from the unfocused flailings of an opposition party with no true ideas beyond the simple, repeated use of the word "No"? (Or, in the words of NBC’s Chuck Todd, "Isn’t that like selling a car without wheels?")

Welcome to the topsy-turvy world of the US in the post-Bush-Cheney era, where the Republican Party they left in tatters is: Seeking to band together with the current administration to try and repair the multiple messes created in the past 8 years? That would be quite the positive-minded guess, but no. Well, then how about: Coming up with rightward-leaning but still potentially helpful proposals that will benefit all regions and classes of people in the country? Nope, not that one either. OK – well, I guess we’re just stuck with: Opposing whatever the Democratic President and Congress suggests or enacts and coming up with mere propagandistic feints at even the hint of compromise. Ding-ding-ding! We have a winner! (Well, more of a loser really, but…you get the point…)

The Stonecipher Report On the Air Today - Monday, 3-30

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Mar. 30, 2009

It’s the other Monday, so it's time to catch The Stonecipher Report radio show, over the air or via the Internet. We'll be on Monday, Mar. 30, from 3:00 - 4:00 PM Chicago time on WHPK-FM (tune in locally at 88.5 on your FM dial; it comes in the best south of the Loop in Chicago). Of course, you can also hear us online at WHPK.org, streaming live from 1:00 - 2:00 PM on the West Coast, 4:00-5:00 PM on the East Coast (just click the "Listen" tab or the "We are STREAMING" window on the station's website).

Tyler Rippeteau and I will present a lively – and funny! – hour of talk...looking at politics and perhaps even some baseball. Tune in to hear the show via WHPK.org – see you there! Thanks…

Spring Training and Snow

Posted by: Mike Rodbard

Mar. 30, 2009

Well, we're going into week 7 of the seemingly longest spring training in the history of Major League Baseball, and there is fresh snow on the ground. I can't decide whether to laugh or cry at this point.

More snow?

2009 American League Predictions

Posted by: Z.Z. Rudin

Mar. 30, 2009

2009 American League Predictions

The American League has long been where all the major talent is - just go ask the All-Star game. This year is shaping up to be interesting with four teams looking like they can push 95 wins, but the rest of the circuit appears to be much more pedestrian in nature.

Though the Central may be down, or at least very unpredictable with various injury and pitching questions remaining at the end of spring training, the East is in a solid position to be back on top as the crown jewel of the league.

The West unfortunately looks worse than ever, which should make things easy on an Angels team that lost two of its best players. The fact of the matter is that the top talent in the AL definitely seems to be above and beyond whatever the National League will be able to offer, but 2009 could be the beginning of the end of an era of dominance by this designated-hitter laden league due to the somewhat suspect talent level of the also-rans.

What I'm Not Looking Forward To From The Sox This Season

Posted by: Michael Cahill

Mar. 28, 2009

So, we’re all anxiously awaiting the White Sox season. I know I am. We’ve been patient through the 6 months of spring training and the ridiculously unimportant World Baseball Classic. With the weather getting warm in the Windy City we know that it won’t be long till we’re at the ballpark and our boys are...trying very hard.

Still, not everything about the upcoming White Sox season has me excited. Now, it’s not like me to be negative but I figured in the spirit of the World Baseball Classic we might want to take some time to make a big deal about the relatively unimportant.

A Reply to Tyler’s 3/27 Post on Democrats and “Single-Party Rule”

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Mar. 28, 2009

Site honcho Tyler Rippeteau had a good piece posted yesterday, looking at the past occurrences and current circumstances that could lead to a streak of Democratic Party-controlled government in this country – and also about questioning whether there could be opposing changes despite what appears to be happening.

As The Stonecipher Report’s official Political Director (and, thanks once again for that nod, Mr. Rippeteau!), I also had some amplifying thoughts about this topic, inspired by that post…and, rather than attaching a long reply to his piece yesterday with some of these thoughts, I decided to give it a bit more thought and expand it into this full post…which is definitely tied to the other piece (here’s a link to it again, in case you haven’t seen it yet).

How Long Can the Democrats Maintain Single-Party Rule?

Posted by: Tyler Rippeteau

Mar. 27, 2009

In the Election of 2000 the Republican Party lost a few Congressional seats, but they picked up the most important seat in the U.S. Government with the Election of George W. Bush - and with that, the GOP began a six-year reign of single-party rule.

Cubs Announce They Are Ready for Postseason

Posted by: Will C

Mar. 27, 2009

After what they are calling a “nice break” and “a few good warm-up games” the Chicago Cubs have announced that they are ready for the 2008 Playoffs to begin.

“This couldn’t have come at a more perfect time,” said Manager Lou Piniella, “the guys were just full of nerves at the end of the season. They were really terrible in those practice games against the Dodgers. Now, we’ve made some personnel moves, we’re nice and rested up and relaxed. This is gonna be fun.”

A Quick Note From 1999

Posted by: Tyler Rippeteau

Mar. 27, 2009

I don't always agree with North Dakota's Democratic Senator, Byron Dorgan, but I have to give him credit for predicting this economic meltdown way back in 1999.  You really should take some time to read this entire New York Times article from a decade ago, which is now making the rounds on the social media sites, but if you're too lazy to do that here's one of the prophetic passages from the piece that features Dorgan:

WHO IS CRAZIER??? Glenn Beck vs. Bill O’Reilly

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Mar. 26, 2009

Here’s a new feature on The Stonecipher Report – one that (unfortunately, perhaps, for the country; but, fortunately for us smart-ass wise guys) may well continue for awhile: WHO IS CRAZIER???

Yes, we’ll occasionally take a look at a couple of semi-outrageous, at-least-somewhat-connected figures in the news, comparing and contrasting them, their words, and their behavior until we can determine just which one of them is the nuttier, more insane, and just plain crazier individual. We’ll be plucking examples from the world of politics, media, pop culture – whatever floats to the surface of obvious madness. Party labels, network or publication affiliations, or even poll or box office numbers won’t necessarily matter – if they seem unhinged, we’ll call them on it…

So, to launch this new feature, let’s take a current look at a pair of FOX News jabberers and try to determine just WHO IS CRAZIER – Glenn Beck or Bill O’Reilly???