Erick Erickson: “I am at the point of fearing that should Palin not get in the race we’re going to have a Hale Bopp moment with many of her most ardent supporters. These people have become too emotionally invested in one person to discuss that person rationally or even to address serious policy concerns.” [RedState]

Did you see Barack Obama’s latest Shocking! poll numbers? No? Well, neither did we.

Oh, we saw the headlines, because as an Accidental Blogger, we’re supposed to pay some attention to that sort of thing. But as an Amateur Blogger, we have the luxury of ignoring it. Like most Americans.

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“Texas Gov. Rick Perry said on CBS’ ‘The Early Show’ Tuesday that he doesn’t know whether he will participate in the first Republican debate since his entry for the party’s nomination for president as his state continues to battle persistent wildfires. Perry left the campaign trail Monday and returned to Texas for the latest outbreak of blazes, which have destroyed nearly 500 homes and caused the evacuations of many residents.” [CBS]

“I am the No. 1 target for one more extremist group to defeat this November. We need to have your help for candidates like me. We need you to take out some of these bad guys.” [WaPo, via Weigel]

What Hoffa said:

Everybody here’s got to vote. If we go back and keep the eye on the prize, let’s take these son of a bitches out and give America back to America where we belong!

What Fox reported:

Let’s take these son of a bitches out and give America back to America where we belong!

How much we care:

Jack shit.

Fox Doctors Hoffa Speech To Fabricate Call For Violence [Media Matters]

Our guest columnist is the nation’s second-greatest non-marching marching band.

Announcer: Ladies and steers, welcome to the first halftime show not to be broadcast on the Longhorn TV network. Presenting the Show Band of South Main, the Rice University Marching Owl Band!

Music: (drum intro)

MOB: “Go Rice!”

Field Action: Band enters the field from the sidelines.

Formation: S E C

Announcer: After decades of saying “goodbye” to “Texas University,” the Aggies. Finally. Left. Yes, it’s official. As of eight o’clock central daylight time, A&M announced its intent to join Satan’s Evil Conference. We congratulate the SEC and the Big Twelve, as both conferences improve their average IQ.

Formation: $ E C

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Streets are almost empty, shops are closed down
There’s not a soul left in the bar to tell my troubles to
Think I’ll walk down to the river that runs just south of town
I hate like hell when there ain’t nothin’ left to do
But stand beneath the river bridge and listen for the train
It’s been a long hot summer, not a drop of rain

I broke down in December
I headed for the coast
I thought the wind and water would elevate my mind
I surfaced in the springtime feelin’ like a ghost
Missin’ more than ever the things I left behind
Now I’m standin’ on this riverbank and still cannot explain
It’s been a long hot summer, not a drop of rain

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