The Pink Flamingo

I'm Glad the Conventions Are Over

SJ Reidhead — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:53:46 -0600

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

This morning I woke up rather early and felt surprisingly dis-oriented. It dawned on me that it was early September. The "fall" TV season should be starting, or has, not that I even watched a "new" show on "network" last year. I don't even think I watched much of Law and Order. Stupid-ball (football) has started. I hate football. I detest football. I think football is a blight on the tush of the civilized world. It too has started. It is the 5th of September and I realized I'm not even sure how badly the Braves ...

John McCain, Sarah Palin, Country & Faith

SJ Reidhead — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:25:57 -0600

SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS

"...Long ago, something unusual happened to me that taught me the most valuable lesson of my life. I was blessed by misfortune. I mean that sincerely. I was blessed because I served in the company of heroes, and I witnessed a thousand acts of courage, compassion and love..." John McCain

Yesterday I posted a humorous commentary about why Republicans are different from Democrats. I left something out in my little 'snark'. The DNC ended with god coming down from on high. There was this amazing display of fireworks, new age music, and a reverent 'downer'. It was ...

Obama's Coronation and Star Trek

SJ Reidhead — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:09:41 -0600

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26

I spent the day working on credit card fraud. I finally completed the paperwork for Capital One. Then, I checked my bank statement. Yep, the same company had hit my fairly new debit card. So I canceled that, then had to do to the bank to get a new one. While there we were involved in a discussion about the Dems and Michelle Obama. I am still trying to figure out how these charges occurred. I was finally able to track one of the front companies, which belonged to some "XXX-Rated Ebony Beauty" site. That's not exactly ...

A Pink Flamingo I Told You So - McCain Ahead in New Mexico

SJ Reidhead — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:59:17 -0600

COLOR NEW MEXICO RED!

The Pink Flamingo has been repeatedly telling you that there is a good chance John McCain is ahead in New Mexico. The latest Mason-Dixon numbers are just in. It's just 45%-41% but I'll take it! This poll, taken last week, dealing with the west ( AZ, NM, CO, NV, UT, WY) has McCain ahead everywhere but Colorado. More recent Colorado numbers are looking good. Joe Monahan thinks Biden is going to help Obama in NM's rural areas, but I'm just not seeing that.

"...Biden, 65, has demonstrated appeal to working class Anglos,...

Obama's VP Pick and Good Mexican Food.

SJ Reidhead — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 22:57:38 -0600

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23

The above is a shameless ploy to see if all the BS about tags and page ranking through using the right words in titles actually works. I think the whole thing is a crock, which is just about what I think of Obama's choice for VP. Frankly, I can't figure it out, at all. Can you? This evening my friend, Glenn told me he thinks Obama's first choice turned him down and the campaign had to do some scrambling.

My mother and I went to the annual antique show today. I found some cabinet photos, enough, I ...

Call Congress Back! The Petition Drive & The SC Factor & McCain

SJ Reidhead — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:27:34 -0600

PAGING DR. GINGRICH

Wouldn't it be interesting if the GOP members of Congress have tapped into something with their protest against Nancy Pelosi? The latest Gallup numbers show there is a window, just a small one, but there is a window of opportunity to make some inroads in the House this year. I think the American people want to see a little bit of courage. And, like Medved pointed out yesterday on his show, they don't like to vote for "angry" people. If they can keep their heads.... (nah, that was a pipe dream).

According to The Hill, Newt ...

Not All of Ruidoso a Disaster Zone

SJ Reidhead — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:04:14 -0600

MONDAY, JULY 28

Once again my blogging is basically limited to the events here in Ruidoso. I spent several hours around town taking more photographs. I've taken nearly 300 or so. Tomorrow The Pink Flamingo will be back with a tale of how the anti-immigration industry has conned good and decent conservatives out of their minds.

I've been hearing from friends all over the country. How bad is it? Are all the roads closed? It must be terrible, with all that flooding. How many people are homeless? Is it safe to go out on the roads? Let's try the answers ...

Ruidoso Flood Photos - Meecham & Suddreth

SJ Reidhead — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:37:20 -0600

THOSE WHO CAN LEAST AFFORD IT

One of the saddest aspects of this disaster is the fact that many of the people who can least afford to lose their homes and belongings have been some of the victims. If you are driving on Meecham, toward Suddreth and look on your right, there are some very nice homes. If you look to your left, there is a rather dowdy trailer park. These photos were taken today, mid-afternoon. The water is still churning, still deadly.

We have a rather large homeless population here in the summer. They have a tendency to live ...

Search & Rescue

SJ Reidhead — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:42:49 -0600

PHOTOS IN ORDER

The Air National Guard has been working with the Red Cross as they rescue stranded campers up at Grindstone Lake. The person in the yellow shirt is one of the incredible Mescalero Smoke Jumpers who is working with search and rescue. Around here, those guys are the real heroes, and are treated as such. Many people here owe their lives and their homes to these brave men and women.

While these people were working, rescuing others, our tourists played on. I found one location where kids were volunteering doing the sand bag thing. Directly across the street ...

Ruidoso Flood - Gavilan Canyon Bridge Damage

SJ Reidhead — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:12:18 -0600

SO MUCH FOR THAT NEW BRIDGE

The new bridge over the Rio Ruidoso had only been open a few months. So much for it. That specific low-lying area is always flooding. If you know Ruidoso, you hang a right before you hit Walgreens, and head toward Hull or up the whole canyon to the ski area. The damage here is near one of the little league fields. The real problem though, was at an RV park next to the river. The water came rushing in so fast that several of the residents had barely vacated their RV's when the propane ...

Ruidoso Flood Damage - Paradise Canyon Bridge

SJ Reidhead — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:02:06 -0600

PARADISE CANYON BRIDGE

Post Flood Photos from Ruidoso - Eagle Drive & Bridge

SJ Reidhead — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:32:52 -0600

THE AFTERMATH

What's Left of Ruidoso Downs Race Track?

SJ Reidhead — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:52:07 -0600

THE TRACK IS A WRECK!

Ruidoso Flood Photos - Chamber of Commerce

SJ Reidhead — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:03:39 -0600

FLOODING NEAR CATTLE BARON

The Chamber of Commerce is located across the street from Pizza Hut and very near Cattle Baron it is near the turn off that goes up Carrizzo Canyon toward the Inn of the Mountain Gods. The water was churning up under the porch of the chamber.

Midtown Ruidoso Flood Photos

SJ Reidhead — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:31:00 -0600

FROM EAGLE DRIVE TO MEECHAM<

Ruidoso Flood Photos - Eagle Drive

SJ Reidhead — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:57:01 -0600

EIGHT BRIDGES - GONE

These are the after-effects of nearly 5 inches of rain. This is Eagle Drive, downtown. If you are familiar with Ruidoso, Eagle Drive goes by the old firehouse, and up to Cree Meadows. The bridges are out at Cree. You can't even get back in there. The 2nd bridge is out at Upper Canyon. If you follow the photos, one of my best friends lives at the top of the hill. Her 84 year old mother was flooded out. Alicia had to get the fire department to help her with her mother. She is now staying ...

BREAKING: Major Local Flooding

SJ Reidhead — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 10:11:38 -0600

RACE TRACK FLOODED!

The world famous race track at Ruidoso Downs is underwater - somewhat. The river is over-flowing into the far lane of the track which is washing away, but the blessed casino is open! Last night we had a good 4 inches of rain. The dam up on the Mescalero Reservation (Inn of the Mountain Gods) is over-flowing into the Rio Ruidoso, which is not a good thing. When I went by the track it looked like they were evacuating the horses. They say the Rio Ruidoso is now 6 to 10 feet over crest. Four ...

Some Misc. Saturday "Science" and a Good UFO Yarn

SJ Reidhead — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:59:21 -0600

SATURDAY, JULY 12

Mommy Cat must be nursing something. She has "tanks". She's starting to come upstairs more often. For the early part of the week she stayed in the closet - constantly. I have no earthly idea how many surviving kittens we have, and I'm not all that sanguine of their survival.
The NM Horse Crises
Where ARE all the dead Sea Monsters?
There's finally some bigfoot news
My friend James sent this fascinating article to me. Look, the truth is out there - Starting on July 25. I don't know about you, but I can't wait!...

An Important Development!

SJ Reidhead — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:55:18 -0600

FRIDAY, JUNE 6

Ah, yes, that extremely important development – there is an exciting new place to shop here in Ruidoso! You actually thought this was about politics? There are things that transcend politics, and this is one of them. There are things more important than politics – shopping being the first thing on the list. Gina, at the Holiday Inn Express here in town, has opened a great little boutique. She is catering to larger sizes, much to my delight (and hers). She was telling me how much fun it was to send a gaggle of size “0” elsewhere, ...

Near Hurricane Force Winds Today

SJ Reidhead — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:28:34 -0600

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4

Don’t forget to check my Thursday Thirteen. I did a history of political TV commercials.

Today the wind is sustained at 45MPH. We are having near hurricane force gusts of at least 65MPH. My Durango is rocking back and forth in the driveway. There are indications we’re getting a fire in Mescalero. There’s also a nasty one in Artesia. The worst part of this is the deadly weather that is spawned here and turns into tornados farther east.

Did I mention we did not go to Las Cruces yesterday? The appointment was changed until today. ...

Politics, New Mexico Style

SJ Reidhead — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:17:40 -0600

WILSON NOW ON "THE" LIST?

Local scuttlebutt is that Heather Wilson is now on the VP short list. With her military back ground, slightly moderate stance, she could pull it off. The one thing you wouldn’t need to worry about is her being ‘ready’. I’m wondering if Wilson might decide to run for governor in a year or so.

The one good thing about the results of this election is the fact that we have two very good candidates anyone can back and feel no hesitation. I am very pleased about the results. It isn't going to hurt to say ...

Yet Another NM UFO! (Update A Weather Balloon)

SJ Reidhead — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 22:46:22 -0600

SUNDAY, JUNE 1

At least the world is back into perspective. We’re getting back to the serious stuff, peeping tom aliens, and mysterious New Mexico UFO’s. Well, there’s another mysterious object in the sky. Let’s face it, there was a reason Indiana Jones ended up in New Mexico. It’s just not normal here. And – we like it that way! Even when it really is a weather balloon.

That’s it for tonight. I still need to design a prototype flyer for the church bazaar and then need to cut, staple and trim about a thousand raffle tickets. ...

The Growing Uncivil War in the GOP

SJ Reidhead — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 22:07:27 -0600

NOTHING CIVIL ABOUT IT

If New Mexico is anything like the rest of the country (not that we ever are) there is a very real problem in the Republican Party. The same thing is going on in Arizona, where the hard-line extremists are battling for the heart and soul of the state’s GOP. (I’m linking to the Feather Bastard’s search page on Russell Pearce – no relation to Steve. That should be enuf said about Arizona and the problems there).

NOT CONSERVATIVE ENOUGH
The battle began several weeks ago when the GOP Chairman of Chavez County (Roswell) warned several ...

A New Mexico Bombshell: Outgoing Domenici Endorses Wilson

SJ Reidhead — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:25:21 -0600

SO DO I

I like Steve Pearce. Thus said, I am furious with him for deserting his 2nd District House Seat and running against Heather Wilson for the US Senate Seat Pete Domenici is vacating. Right now, the way things look, not only are we going to lose Wilson's Congressional District, but we could lose the 2nd. The Dems are running another of those Blue Dogs that are decimating our House numbers. The way it stands now, if the election were held today, Democrat Tom Udall would easily defeat either candidate. I think in the long run, though Wilson may ...

In the Year 2013 (If John McCain Is Elected)

SJ Reidhead — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:38:40 -0600

JOHN MCCAIN - 2013

John McCain's historic speech delivered at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, in Columbus, OH, today at 10:00 a.m. EDT

"Thank you. The hectic but repetitive routine of presidential campaigns often seems to consist entirely of back and forth charges between candidates, punctuated by photo ops, debates and the occasional policy speech, followed by another barrage of accusations and counter accusations, formulated into the soundbites preferred by cable news producers. It is a little hypocritical for candidates or reporters to criticize these deficiencies. They are our creation. Campaigns and the media collaborated as architects of the ...

Cute (No, Bad) Kitten Day

SJ Reidhead — Sat, 03 May 2008 22:31:47 -0600

SATURDAY, MAY 3

Sometimes Miss Beverly Sills is just plain cute. The worst of it is the little stinker knows she is cute. Then, there are times (most of the time) she is so darn naughty, it is still cute! Today has been one of those days. I pulled her out of the big jade plant 3 times. The third time she decided to try and bit me. That did not work. She’s been running around the condo like a critter on jet fuel. Okay it’s cute.

Another only in New Mexico: marauding elk?

THE CHAMBERS BOOK OF DAYS

Born: ...

Man of Sorrows

SJ Reidhead — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:22:41 -0600

THURSDAY, APRIL 24

It wasn’t until a few minutes ago that I understood something. I know it is shallow, but then -? I was doing something in the kitchen, exhausted, physically and emotionally. I realized I’ve been through so much 2nd hand heartache and sorrow that I just couldn’t handle any more right now. I need a break. And now you know why today is catch as catch can. Then something dawned on me. Now I understand the term ‘Man of Sorrows’. Can you imagine what Christ took upon himself?

The only perfect person who ever lived took on ...

Naughty Poodle for Sale – Cheap!

SJ Reidhead — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:51:57 -0600

MONDAY, APRIL 14

A few minutes ago I called my father and told him I would give him ten bucks if he would take Rumsfeld off my hands this evening. The little monster somehow managed to climb up the table where I was stashing the garbage (to dump tomorrow) and pulled it down. Yep, he shredded the bag and scattered things everywhere. He and Bubbles were so naughty last night I did not get to sleep until about 6:15 this morning!

Another ONLY IN NEW MEXICO: Racing Rockets (you read it correctly)
Space Port America
Two Only in New Mexico’s ...