No Heart for "Barracuda"

When she was a star basketball player for Wasilla High School in Alaska, Sarah Palin earned the nickname "Barracuda" for her drive and competitiveness on the court. Naturally, when the folks with the Republican National Convention needed a theme song of sorts for their vice-presidential candidate, Heart's 1977 hit single "Barracuda" came to mind. It pounded through the speakers as the Republican faithful celebrated and added a great touch to the event.

Apparently, they didn't ask permission to use the song from the music group and they aren't fans of the Republican Party. Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson were upset at the use of "Barracuda" and sent a cease and desist order to the Republican Party. Here's their official statement:

"Sarah Palin's views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song 'Barracuda' no longer be used to promote her image. The song 'Barracuda' was written in the late 70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. (The 'barracuda' represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize the use of their song at the RNC, there's irony in Republican strategists' choice to make use of it there."

How petty and ridiculous can you be. If they were smart, they would ask for royalties and let the McCain/Palin campaign revive a 31-year-old song that hasn't seen the light of day in ages. Maybe the Wilson sisters would earn a little money for doing absolutely nothing. But they have to act like they're offended just like any good liberal would and make a big deal out of it. Really petty, ladies. And I used to like your songs, too.

Let the Game Begin

The 2008 presidential election is officially underway. The candidates and their running mates have been nominated by their respective parties, the balloons have deflated, and McCain/Palin and Obama/Biden are hitting the campaign trail for the next two months.

Admittedly, John McCain's acceptance speech didn't come close to that of Sarah Palin the night before. But she was a hard act for anyone to follow. What he lacked in eloquence, he made up for in confidence and determination. He acknowledged President Bush without actually naming him, thanking him for his vigilance in defending our country from another terrorist attack. The nature of this election year has forced the Republican nominee to distance himself from the two-term party leader, but it was fitting that McCain at least gave credit where it was due, much to the chagrin of the liberal media.

He gave Barrack Obama more credit than I would've expected, telling him that he had McCain's "respect and admiration" and "[d]espite our differences, more unites us than divides us." McCain was much more magnanimous than Obama could ever be to an opponent. Of course the CodePink wackos camped outside the convention hall had to interrupt his speech early on. (By the way, where did Chris Matthews and his MSNBC cohorts stage their post-convention shows? In the convention hall like all the other networks? Of course not! They had to pander to their liberal and anti-war audience outside who cheered Matthews' every word.)

McCain shared his vision for America and reputed Obama's claims that he "didn't get it" regarding the plight of many Americans in today's economy. Rather than focus simply on the way his speech was delivered, read the text for yourself.

NBC's Andrea Mitchell Gets Buried

There was a bit of poetic justice last night during the post-speech celebration at the RNC. NBC/MSNBC Republican critic and leading Obama lover Andrea Mitchell was attacked and engulfed by a mass of red, white, and blue balloons as she tried to report from the convention floor. Very funny!