Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Todays Mike Huckabee Blogger Call


Today I participated in yet another great blogger call. While all the previous blogger calls have been wonderful this one seems to be the best one yet. I could really feel the energy from both Mike Huckabee and all the fellow bloggers asking questions. Mike Huckabee answered questions from the campaign trail in Iowa. This time I think I asked my question worded the way I meant to last week. I will get to the question and Mike's terrific answer later.


His guest for this call was Fred Bramante, Co-Chair of the New Hampshire Huckabee Exploratory Committee. He is also a member on the New Hampshire School Board. This time I spelled the guest caller's name correctly. On the last call I spelled the last name of the guest caller Ferris instead of Farris. My apologies.

Mike Huckabee wished everyone a Happy Fourth of July. He applauded all us bloggers for getting out his message and that of what is going on around us, things that don't always get printed in the mainstream media.
He made a comment about Bill and Hillary Clinton being in Iowa taking over the media, and everything else being overshadowed. It sounds like history repeating itself. If ya recall in one of my book reports I told y'all about how Bill Clinton's presidential campaign overshadowed all politics in Arkansas when Mike was running for Senate. "HOPE"fully, the end result won't be the same as in '92. For real, I don't see that happening.
He said one of the best things about living in this great country, U.S.A., is that all children can get an education and run for president, regardless of background. He feels glad that he grew up in such a great country where he got a great education that he wants to run for president and give back what was given to him and see all American children get an education.

Fred Bramante then spoke. He said there is a buzz of excitement in New Hampshire over Mike Huckabee's campaign. More people are joining up and helping the campaign grow. He said Mike has definitely risen to the top of the 2ND tier and the more people hear about him the more he will rise into the main tier. Mr. Bramante then expressed his disappointment that hardly any education questions were asked in any of the three debates. He feels that Mike Huckabee will be the President to steer education in the right direction. He also mentioned that Mike Huckabee will be the only Republican candidate to speak at the next NEA convention.

Which brings me to this blogger Q&A from Steven Nielsen of Colorado for Huckabee. I am not going to blog in order of Q&A this time, just in order I feel relevance. Not that I think any one asked irrelevant questions, just that some questions follow others more smoothly. That being said I will stop blabbering.
Steve asked Mike on his opinion of the polls showing low approval ratings for both President Bush and Congress. Mike began his answer talking about a quote from Isiah that was hanging over the fireplace of one of his judge friends in Arkansas. "Come let us reason together." He said that there is too much polarization going on between the Democrats and Republicans fighting. Most of the American people are tired of seeing and hearing both parties throwing grenades, figuratively of course, at each other. He said the big concerns of the American people are seeing the tax system replaced and border security.

Music for All asked about something Mike Huckabee asked recently. Mike said that "Music was life changing for me in my life." He elaborated on that quote. Mike was a shy kid while he was growing up. When he was eleven his parents bought him an electric guitar that he had really wanted. That cost his parents over $90 from the JC Penneys catalog. That was a lot of money back then and they had to make payments on it. He is grateful for the sacrifice they made for him to see his dream come true.
This is why Mike Huckabee is such an ardent supporter of Arts and Music education. he said too many kids are bored in school and end up taking naps during class. He claims that music education will help wake up kids in class. It is a powerful and essential learning tool for kids to use both their right and left sides of their brains. He said all kids love music.
He credits that guitar with helping him overcome his shyness. With that guitar he was able to play the music he loved and get on stage in front of people. It was sort of his first intro to the public spotlight. While many people are comparing different candidates to former Presidents, I will compare him to Elvis.
While Elvis became famous for his music and Mike is becoming famous for politicking. The similarities are that growing up Elvis was shy, just like Mike. Elvis received a guitar at eleven years old, just like Mike. Elvis overcame his shyness through his guitar playing at local events, just like Mike. OK, Elvis wanted a bike instead of a guitar and Mike wanted a guitar. But think, where would either one of them be if they had gotten a bike when they were eleven? I don't want to think about it.

Now, for my question. Ya know what, I need a break. I will be back sometime today. I will finish the whole blog about the call today or tomorrow. So many great questions and answers that my head is just spinning.
God Bless from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan!

Sunday, June 10, 2007

James Kotecki Interviews Mike Huckabee

Watch both videos. In these vids Mike Huckabee is given the chance to discuss all the issues that are on his mind. Fair Tax, Education, Arts & Music, Health, his own personal issues with health, going from pastor to governor and why both experiences can help him in his run for President, Foreign Policy.





I don't know too much about this James Kotecki kid. I hear he is fairly popular in political videos on YouTube. It seems he is a college student. From what I have seen in these two vids he seems smarter than many of the guys on major news channels. He actually listened to Mike rather than staring off to space saying, "uh-hu, uh-hu."

UPDATE: I have received a comment from James Kotecki. He is currently a college grad.

Friday, June 1, 2007

Character Makes a Difference: Where I'm From, Where I've Been, and What I Believe (Paperback)

I just ordered Mike Huckabee's book, "Character Makes a Difference: Where I'm from, Where I've Been and What I Believe" on Amazon.com.


Editorial Reviews

Book Description
How powerful is integrity? Just ask minister-turned-statesman, Mike Huckabee.As lieutenant governor of Arkansas in 1996, he was publicly cast between the ultimate rock and hard place when his boss, governor Jim Guy Tucker, refused to resign despite his felony convictions in the Whitewater scandal. Holding fast to the tenets of honor and faith, and his concern over what was best for the state’s people, Huckabee led the impeachment charge against his superior before a televised audience. That same day, Tucker resigned, and Huckabee would serve as governor of Arkansas until 2007, winning many national honors along the way.Character Makes a Difference is Mike Huckabee’s biographical account of how he handled that potentially major constitutional crisis and why he believes character is the key issue in everyone’s life, “in the work you do, the candidates you vote for, the people who look to you for leadership.”

About the Author
Mike Huckabee recently completed more than ten years of public service as governor of Arkansas. In 2005, Governing magazine named him among the Public Officials of the Year, TIME magazine called him one of the five best governors in America, and he received the AARP Impact Award recognizing those who have done something extraordinary to make the world a better place. An outspoken man of Christian faith, Huckabee is also a musician, playing bass guitar in his rock-and-roll band Capitol Offense. In January 2007, he received the Music for Life Award from NAMM for his outstanding support of music arts and education. Mike and his wife, Janet, have three grown children: John Mark, David, and Sarah

The above is the exact description from Amazon.com page for the book. The book description sounds great! I am very excited to get it, in 4 to 5 days. I will definitely be checking the mail box everyday starting Monday. I will give a chapter by chapter book report. Fortunately, I am a quick book reader, so long as it's a good book. Any book written by Mike Huckabee has got to be good. I plan on lending it to my work and church friends.

God Bless from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan!

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Does Music and Arts Matter?


You sure bet! Why? As Mike Huckabee has said, kids need to use both their right and left sides of their brains and it helps bring kid's creative sides out. With the many technology jobs out there creativity is just as important as math, science and history.
IMHO these arts and music are just as important as football and cheerleading. Some kids may not be athletically inclined. And at that young of an age everyone wants to fit in.
In this presidential election arts and music are also important. We are in a war that is like no other before. This country needs a leader who is able to think outside the box to accomplish the mission. Someone who has a background in arts and music is able to think outside the box. It is also a sign of a person who is disciplined. Currently the Republicans who are involved with arts and music are Rudy Giuliani (theater) and Mike Huckabee (rock band "Capitol Offense").
Mike Huckabee is the true conservative of the two. He never wavers on issues. He stands firm for what he believes. Rudy Giuliani seems like a good enough guy, but he is not a true conservative. I implore everyone to look at the issues, not just support someone because the media chooses them as the "alleged" top tier. Which is more important, a popularity contest or the future of our country? Thought so.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Candidates Favorite Music (Republicans and Democrats)

Sometimes following politics can be stressful. Well, I found an article about the Primary Candidates that is fun and lighthearted. As a music fan I find this great as an insite into the candidates personal side. A question asked of the candidates by the AP was, "What was your last music purchase?".
Here is thier answers:

DEMOCRATS
Joe Biden of Delaware-"My Sisters Playlists"
Hillary Clinton of New York-Carly Simon's "Into White"
Chris Dodd of Connecticut-soundtrack to Jersey Boys
John Edwards of North Carolina-U2
Dennis Kucinich of Ohio-likes Willie Nelson
Barack Obama-Ray soundtrack from the movie about Ray Charles
Bill Richardson of New Mexico-George Strait "50 Number One Hits"

REPUBLICANS
Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas-Micheal W. Smith
Rudy Giuliani of New York-Verdi's "Macbeth"
Mike Huckabee of Arkansas-Evanescence
Rep. Duncan Hunter of California-likes country and Gospel
Sen. John McCain of Arizona-fave album "Sounds of Summer-The Very Best of The Beach Boys"
Mitt Romney of Massachusetts-"Selection of Roy Orbison songs from iTunes"
Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado-Frank Sinatra "Duet Combo"

As I am listening to my Stray Cats "Built for Speed" CD, here is my personal take on the selections. Some of the music I don't know too much about. I kinda figured Hillary would like Carly Simon. Nothing wrong with that. The only Carly Simon song I really know is "Your so Vein", maybe others that I have forgotten or didn't know she sang them. I have to admit that I like this song. I'm guessing this is what she sings to Bill. U2, now that surprises me about John "Mr. $400 haircut" Edwards. IMHO, I think of U2 as being for people who are in tune to the world. Yes, Bono has money, but he knows of what's going on in the world, besides the AIDS in Africa. It may be his pet project, but I think the majority of his fans use $400 to pay for a good portion of their rent or mortgage. Anyways U2 is cool. I like them and remember them on MTV back in the day when MTV played strictly videos. I don't know much about Dennis Kucinich. I do like Willie Nelson though, despite the fact that he is liberal. I like his music. His music is pure unadulterated country. Ray Charles, I can't quite say this was a surprise nor can I say it was predictable for Barack. Unfortunately I didn't get to see Ray. I do like his music though. This shows that Barck has a fun, let loose kinda side. "Hey hey what I say!" Yes, I said something nice about a Democrat, that doesn't mean I will change party affiliation and support Barack. But when someone likes good music, they like good music and he deserves credit for that. I may not be a fan of Bill Richardson, but I am a fan of George Strait. This shows that he has a down to earth personality and keeps it real. Now I feel like packing my bags to get to "Amarillo by Morning". Hey when someone likes good music....

Now for my take on the Republicans music choices. I like both Sam Brownback and Michael W. Smith. This shows that he likes music about his faith. If someone listens to music about their faith that shows that they have a passion for it and not ashamed to show it. Verdi, I admit I did have to look this one up this on Wikipedia. Giuseppe Verde was an Italian opera composer. This would be predictable of Rudy Giuliani. After all, he is Italian from New York and into theatre. His choice shows that he is cultured and is a deep thinker. After reading about Verdi and the "Macbeth" opera I might even be interested in buying the CD or if I can find it in record format. I have to admit that I am surprised about Mike Huckabee listening to Evanescence. This surprised me. They are a group from Little Rock. Personally, I would have thought that if he would of chosen an Arkansan artist or group it would have been Johnny Cash. I have never really listened to them. I have heard them on the radio and saw them on MTV. They aren't too bad. His choice shows that he is open to other ideas and thinks outside the box. Nor is he one dimensional. I think it is cool that Duncan Hunter, from California, would like country and gospel. I found that rather unpredictable. I guess when I think of Californians music choices I would think of old school surf or modern rock, nothing wrong with that. It shows that he is in tune with the average American. OK, for real, Beach Boys, that is predictable of John McCain. Maybe I wouldn't have thought that before his "Bomb, Bomb Iran" ditty. According to his choice, it looks like maybe the Beach Boys did do the parody of the song. Look back to my blog about the debates. It looks like the old dude has a fun side after all. I disagree with anyone who says that him knowing Beach Boys songs shows his age. When one listens to the Beach Boys they think of fun, sun, sand, surf and music. Their music is inter-generational classics. Mitt Romney listening to Roy Orbison, that is a BIG surprise. Anyone who is a fan of "Roy the Boy" would have to agree. I have just been inspired to switch from the Stray Cats CD to my Roy Orbison record. Back to Mitty. Roy Orbison was about the blue collar lifestyle and the hardships of the working man. "Uptown" he is singing about being a doorman in a fancy high-rise where he has the hots for one of the residents who lives there and he wants her to notice him. "Working for the Man" is a song about a miner who works for this rich dude. And he wants to become "the man" so he can get the daughter of the mine owner. Most of his songs are full of heartache and sorrow. He ends up losing the girl to some fancy-pants guy. Maybe this will make my feelings of Mitty soften. He can't be that bad of a guy if he likes "Roy the Boy". Roy's music speaks to my heart and gives me deep feeling in my gut. If ya sing along to many of his songs ya can't help but get teary eyed. Maybe someday I'll get to "Blue Bayou". I'm going back someday I want to see the those fish play on "Blue Bayou" to see my baby again and see some of my friends. The world will be mine on "Blue Bayou" to take away this hurtin inside. Those are not his exact words, it's just a feeling I get when I think about Corpus Christi, Texas. Frank Sinatra is an awesome choice for Tom Tancredo. His choice doesn't really fit what little I know about him, but who doesn't like "ol blue eyes"? This might say that Tom Tancredo is a layed back kinda guy who keeps his cool under pressure. Frank Sinatra music is the kind that just makes one want to fix a martini and sit back, relax and not worry.

God Bless from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan!

Monday, May 7, 2007

Introduction

My name is Kathy. I had started a blog Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas a few months ago on my genealogy website. I went for quite a while without writing anything. At first there wasn't much to write about him since the media wasn't getting the word out about this wonderful candidate who is running for the Republican nominee for the '08 Presidential race. Now he is all over on the TV and plenty of print interviews.
I have now started this new blog. I promise to write more about him, general political opinions along with goings on in the great state of Michigan, and music too! I feel this is a better venue to write about politics than on my former blog. Most people are not looking for political commentary in a genealogy website.