Carnival at the CatHouse! (Work in Progress/Martinsville Edition)
Yup, friends and neighbors, the CatHouse is open for business, and today's business is the
Fresh from the wild, whacky and wonderful time we had are all the posts about the Blog Conference I could find... since very few people actually submitted them to me. [stern look at all those people whose arms I twisted - what? I wasn't charming about it?? LOL]
So, if your post about Blogs United for Freedom of Speech wasn't included: Don't. Blame. Me! ;-)
Before I get to the Martinsville memories, though, we had a few submissions not about the conference, and I'm going to give them pride of place.
First and foremost, Roci, over at Rocinate's Burden, reminds us that he's hosting next week's Virginia Blog Carnival. He says:
I will be looking for Virginia-originated posts on the topic of LABOR. Organized labor, unskilled labor, fair wages for labor or your mother's 23 hours of labor and delivery are all fair game.
You should be reading Roci - he's quite level-headed, but when he gets passionate, LOOK OUT!
Next up is David St. Lawrence, of Making Ripples. David posts about many topics, but mostly business-oriented, and in this post, he discusses Rule #1 in starting your own craft business: "Lower your cost of living to the point where you can pay for rent and food doing odd jobs or nothing at all for the forseeable future." If you're a crafty (I didn't mean it like that!) person, you should go check it out. I'm certain that is has points which apply to all sorts of business start ups, as well.
Then, Extreme Mortman is "asking famous media this question: Which blogs will be most important for covering and influencing the 2006 mid-term elections?" Charlie Cook is under interrogation this time, and y'all better make it short and to the point, because Mr. Cook says:
Which blogs will be most important for covering or influencing the 2006 elections? I have no idea which ones will be most influential, or what others use in covering, I can only speak for myself.
I am more of a dead-tree guy myself, but trying to use the web more. But I have an aversion to reading more than two or three paragraphs on a screen. Call it being over 50.
Go read the whole thing - you'll get some good insights on where to get info, and what Mr. Cook is looking for in blog-analysis. you ought also to bookmark or blogroll Extreme Mortman: I like him, and he's got a lot of thoughtful things to say... but refuses to be too serious!
Now for some controversy. David, from Equality Loudoun, challenges NoVA TownHall author, Sophrosyne, and asks "Why won't Sophrosyne answer my questions?" about the Marriage Amendment Virginians will vote on this November. It's my understanding that Soph isn't in town at the moment (I could be mistaken), but I'm sure that the debate will be quite intense.
**YIKES!** (Yes, this is an update - 1736 on 28Aug06) Adding to the controversy is Hampton Roads Politics, which submits Gay Marriage Campaign Strategy - Don't Ask, Don't Tell:
If the gay marriage activists have their way this fall, the discussion about the pending marriage constitutional amendment won't be about marriage.
It's about.....uhm, unmarried straight people!
Egads, just reminds me to say to y'all: Go. Read. All. Links!
Speaking of NoVA TownHall, Joe Budzinski writes "Busted" by the Washington Post. His summary?
[A] Front page article in the Post celebrates employers responsible for local overcrowding, illegal hiring, unfair competition for contractor jobs, and....soccer. Readers can determine for themselves which of those items is the most egregious violation.
I've got a post submitted by Shaun Kenney (I think... the BlogCarnival notification was a little wonky) asking Where's the love for T.J. Duckett??? Um, I don't know... Who's T. J. Duckett, Shaun? Oh! It's that football-thing you guys like... All right, I'll play the "little woman," and just give you a blank stare, since I know nothing about football, LOL Nevertheless, Shaun's got a few football afficionados commenting, so y'all should join in if you know anything about the sport, OK?
Next, my friend Chris from Spank That Donkey offers a trio, which - when combined - make up a full and fascinating interview with Philip Van Cleve, who is the president of the Virginia Citizens' Defense League. (Part One, Two, and Three) I strongly urge you to read the whole thing, because Second Amendment Rights are ("is"?) a very important issue! (Thanks for the corrections, Greg!)
Finally, Greg Letiecq (friend, I'm gonna have to have that on my perminant copy-paste button! I'm always worried about misspelling your last name!), from BLACK VELVET BRUCE LI, wonders Judy Feder Campaign to Attack Families Again?
Back on August 3rd, Judy Feder for Congress operative Whackjob decided that because this blog was doing political parodies of Judy Feder using the unusual photographs he had posted on Judy Feder's campaign website, he would attack my family by posting my home phone number, the email addresses of my relatives, my home phone number, and solicit his readers to harass my family.
Oh, boy. Greg wasn't kidding when he told us he wants to be the National Enquirer of blogging... Well, this whole, um, "debate" will certainly be, ah, "entertaining" for those of us with a blood-thirsty character. Greg likes controversy - he's certainly going to get it!
All right - that was everything that was submitted to me via e-mail to the vablogcarnival@gmail.com address (well, with a couple forwards...)
Now for all the "dirt" about Martinsville!!!
My two posts are write ups of LG Bolling's remarks and the events on Saturday. I get wordy, yeah, but y'all will know the nuts-and-bolts of what went on.
UPDATE: The Red Queen comments very astutely:
Oh, but I also have pictures to prove that walls were obliterated this weekend- I don't believe that it was just the cigars that made the difference either. I watched people talk. There was very little spin happening when you talked one on one or in small groups. Suddenly it became apparent that we often want the same things but have different ways of getting there.
Norman Leahy and Jerry Fuhrman both posted quick little somethings... Norman is putting all the blame on Will Wehrs, but for all I know from his blog, Jerry is still there!
Alton mentions things here, but gets more talkative here, while Kilo gets spanked. He's also posted here and here, and promises to add more later tonight, so I might update (UPDATE: right here - thanks, brother!). If he sweet talks me... ;-) The lovely BadRose comments here, but also on the Blogs-United page, where she includes a gorgeous photo of the quilt the Red Queen made for Alton.
(And yes, for those who are refreshing the page in excitement, I did post an incomplete Carnival and am finishing it up as you read. Trackbacks, when entered in large numbers, can turn around and bite your rear, so I'm trying to avoid that...)
Steve at SW VA Law Blog mentions my roundup... Jim Hoeft talks about LG Bolling's speech here and then AG McDonnell's remarks here... Chad wishes he could've been there (me, too! But you can make up for it by using one of those photos I sent you...)... Waldo swung by and did a stealth visit, but I'm letting him off the hook 'cause I got a hug...
Flora McDonald was there, and I wish we'd been able to sit together and chat more, but she's a lovely Lady, and knows she's always welcome at the CatHouse!
Ben Tribbitt's last words to me were "If you link to me, I'll link to you..." so here's his brief mention of Martinsville. And, Ben... Yes, I liked Leslie's talk, she's charming and eloquent, and she's got many good points to discuss... But I want you to promote the VBC!!!! ;-) [eeeeevil grin]
Chris at Spank That Donkey makes another appearance in this Carnival with a tease, a comment, and a challenge...
Vivian Paige gets a mention because she's brilliant, I enjoyed her company at Sorenson, and AG McDonnell will be live-blogging at her place tomorrow. BE THERE!!!
Steve Sisson of the Blue Dog had to leave mid-day on Saturday, but he posts here, and here - and you should ABSOLUTELY read the second one; funny references to those who were there ;-) Republitarian and his lovely wife were there, and I know he posted about Martinsville, but I can't get to his blog for some reason. Conaway Haskins was also there - and ELOQUENT!!! I can learn a lot from him - and posts here about it. He, too, was accompanied by his Better Half and editor... No wonder he writes so well!
