Look out! Rick's gonna pray again

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This weekend, Gov. Rick Perry is hosting his prayer party in Reliant Stadium in Houston. According to figures earlier this week, a little more than 10 percent of the stadium will be occupied. I am hopeful this is representative of the pull Gov. Good Hair has in the rest of the country.

Prayer thingies for political causes are fine. I had the misfortune of attending a "prayer breakfast" with Ronald Reagan during the Republican National Convention in Dallas in 1984. Really, they grabbed a bunch of kids from private schools to stand behind the president in Reunion Arena and look like a massive choir.

But these religified political rallies are as common as baby kissing. Unfortunately, Rick has a whole bunch of ugly supporting him this weekend. They include people who founded organizations deemed "hate groups" by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

I've made no bones about my dislike for the man. What bothers me more than anything is what this prayer rally will do for our long-term weather forecast. We are already in the middle of a scorching drought and heat wave. Dick Perry's last call for prayer – specifically for rain – seemed to lock a dome of high pressure over the state. This weekend may cause the earth to open and have us all swallowed up by hell.

On second thought, it is a risk my family and I are willing to take to save the country from the prospect of President Rick Perry.

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Rockin' Republicans? Not This Year

Image via WikipediaI have to admit I thought that Van Halen—or at least Sammy Halen—must have endorsed John McCain when he introduced Sarah Palin as his running mate for the first time. How else to explain the campaign's use of the band's anthemic song "Right Now" at that rally?

Turns out that was a boo-boo.

Access Hollywood reports that the McCain campaign is having a lot of problems with its choice of music. Van Halen, which strongly objected to its music being co-opted by the McCain campaign, is just the latest act to complain of its product being used without permission:

• Heart issued a cease-and-desist letter to the campaign for using its song "Barracuda" for Sarah Palin at the Republican National Convention.

• Jackson Browne objected to the RNC using his song "Running On Empty"and failed a lawsuit.

• Abba ("Take a Chance On Me")

• and John Mellencamp ("Pink Houses") also complained about unauthorized use of their songs, according to Browne's suit.

Why do artists object? For one thing, if they don't support a particular candidate, the use of their music implies a type of endorsement. I, for one, never dreamed a campaign would use someone's music in a public gathering that is, furthermore, broadcast nationally, without permission or a licensing fee. Seems some government officials need to bone up on copyright laws.

And, endorsement aside, musicians get paid for every public performance of their music. Radio stations pay every time they spin a disc. And if you watch "Big Brother," you know the housemates are always being told to "Stop singing!" because CBS doesn't want to pay licensing fees for music.

Won't anyone out there let McCain/Palin use their songs before its too late? Any suggestions for more appropriate songs? Add your comments by clicking below!

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McCain's Voice Mail to Palin Leaked to Press (23/6)

Image via WikipediaThanks to Tony D. for the link to this Lee Camp prank audio that is plainly phony but just as plainly funny as "McCain" calls "Sarah Palin" to invite her to be his running mate.

SAMPLE LINE: "She's from f$@king Alaska? Am I getting punk'd?"

Also on 236.com: "With Palin pick, McCain loses key 'Earth is round' demographic"

Tina Fey Quits "30 Rock" to Run with John McCain!

I loved her in Mean Girls, but I'm not sure that's a qualification to be vice president of the United States. (Photo credit: The Wall Street Journal)


Copyright 2008 Bob Andelman. Click here for copyright permissions!

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Peggy Noonan's view on Sarah Palin? 'Political Bullsh*t'

Former Ronald Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan ("Morning in America") gave Democrats exactly what they wanted today during a commercial break on MSNBC, calling John McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for his vice presidential running mate, "political bullsh*t." Give a listen!