CES Redux

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I didn't get much time to wander around CES while working there last week, but from what I did see, I have to somewhat agree with Leo Laporte's assessment, where he called it the Craptastic Electronics Show. Leo thinks it could be following Comdex into history. Given what I saw, I think he is onto something here.

Putting Hillary in Context

I have made no secret of my dislike for President Bush's policies and unconstitutional attacks on our liberty. Yet, I cannot give unconditional support for any Democratic candidate to replace him either. I was, quite frankly, sickened by the weasely waffling and failure to take any responsibility for her own voting record, by Senator Hillary Clinton on today's broadcast of NBC's Meet The Press. Everytime host Tim Russert would call Hillary on some of her votes or speeches made back in 2002 when she voted to give Bush authority to invade Iraq, she would cry "context". Senator Clinton, with all due respect, you cannot context away your record. You ask us to vote for you because of your experience and record, yet every time some of your record makes you uncomfortable, you cite context. In fact, during the MTP broadcast, Hillary did this six times! Look at the transcript:

I understand the taking out of context and the mischaracterization.

Well, Tim, let's put this in context.

Let's look at the entire context.

. . .let's look at the context here.

Now, I think it's important to take a look at the entire context here.

But you know, Tim, I think that it's only fair to look at the entire context . . .

Also, Hillary is running on her "35 years of experience". She is a U.S. Senator who has been in office for not quite 8 years. She has 20 years experience of being either the First Lady of Arkansas or the First Lady of the United States; hardly relevant political experience. Where does she figure this 35 years? No doubt, she is a smart woman, but she overstates her experience and runs from her record. Look at what she said when Russert pressed on about her vote to give Bush war powers:

Now, we can sit here and argue about 2002 or we can say what has happened since and what needs to happen going forward in the future.

In other words, "Let's not talk about my record, Tim." I am all for a woman as President of the United States. Hillary just isn't my choice. It is my belief that the Democrats, and the nation, would be best served if the junior U.S. Senator from New York would drop out of the race. As that isn't likely that will happen any time soon, it is therefore time for Democrats to smack her down at every primary and caucus in this year's presidential campaign. If she becomes the nominee, I will be very disappointed, as I cannot vote for any of the Republicans, and I think Hillary is a politician who wavers with the political wind. I hope that isn't the choice remaining when it's all said and done.

Sunday Morning at the Stock Show

This week, one of the largest rodeo and stock shows in the United States is making its annual stop in Denver. The National Western Stock Show comes to town every January, with its array of livestock. Roosters, hogs, goats, steers, llamas, horses and many other animals are all there to compete, along with their owners. I had a couple of hours to kill, so this morning the lovely spouse and I made the trip to the National Western Complex to take a look.

One of the events today is the Colorado Fiddle Championship competition. Yesterday, a number of fiddlers were eliminated, and the winners of that contest compete today in the finals. The first entertainment was a group of talented fiddling kids known collectively as Fiddleocity. They ranged in age from five years old to early teens. These kids are learning by the Suzuki method, and play both fiddle and guitar, so they can play accompaniment for one another.


Fiddleocity on stage

It was interesting that the only boy in the group was the five year old. The youngest girl was eight. Quite a good bunch of kids, and the talents they are developing will enrich their lives for years to come. I imagine they will always remember performing at the National Western Complex.


Some of the kids - Click any picture for a larger version

Before the adult competition starts up in the afternoon, the judges come onto the stage to display their musical abilities. Each took a turn on both fiddle and guitar, and played some rousing "hoe-down" music and western swing. Quite entertaining.


The judges pickin' and sawin' out a tune

Outside the main building, the food vendors had everything from turkey legs to fried Twinkies for sale. Here is a man working to grill turkey and chicken for the hungry masses.


Cooking up a tasty treat!

As the rodeo competition doesn't begin until later in the day, we didn't stick around for it, but we did notice the preparation going on in the main arena. The barrel races, cattle roping, and steer riding will be going on before you know it!


Prepping the rodeo arena

While waiting for the riding to begin, what cowboy doesn't need a bit of food to keep up his strength? I caught this young cowboy trying out

Sunday Morning at the Stock Show

This week, one of the largest rodeo and stock shows in the United States is making its annual stop in Denver. The National Western Stock Show comes to town every January, with its array of livestock. Roosters, hogs, goats, steers, llamas, horses and many other animals are all there to compete, along with their owners. I had a couple of hours to kill, so this morning the lovely spouse and I made the trip to the National Western Complex to take a look.

One of the events today is the Colorado Fiddle Championship competition. Yesterday, a number of fiddlers were eliminated, and the winners of that contest compete today in the finals. The first entertainment was a group of talented fiddling kids known collectively as Fiddleocity. They ranged in age from five years old to early teens. These kids are learning by the Suzuki method, and play both fiddle and guitar, so they can play accompaniment for one another.


Fiddleocity on stage

It was interesting that the only boy in the group was the five year old. The youngest girl was eight. Quite a good bunch of kids, and the talents they are developing will enrich their lives for years to come. I imagine they will always remember performing at the National Western Complex.


Some of the kids - Click any picture for a larger version

Before the adult competition starts up in the afternoon, the judges come onto the stage to display their musical abilities. Each took a turn on both fiddle and guitar, and played some rousing "hoe-down" music and western swing. Quite entertaining.


The judges pickin' and sawin' out a tune

Outside the main building, the food vendors had everything from turkey legs to fried Twinkies for sale. Here is a man working to grill turkey and chicken for the hungry masses.


Cooking up a tasty treat!

As the rodeo competition doesn't begin until later in the day, we didn't stick around for it, but we did notice the preparation going on in the main arena. The barrel races, cattle roping, and steer riding will be going on before you know it!


Prepping the rodeo arena

While waiting for the riding to begin, what cowboy doesn't need a bit of food to keep up his strength? I caught this young cowboy contemplating the competition ahead and admiring a corn dog before biting into it.


Git a long little corn doggie!

It's not just the cowboys that are awaiting their turn in the arena. The horses are also standing by, ready to show off their best stuff!


Put on a good show, but DON'T break a leg. They'll shoot you!

As we depart, we are reminded by this friendly hog that it all happens again next year!