It’s your move on the Friday OPEN thread
Shot by Dan
“But just as they did in Philadelphia when they were writing the constitution, sooner or later, you’ve got to compromise. You’ve got to start making the compromises that arrive at a consensus and move the country forward.”
Colin Powell
November 2, 2012 - 10:00 AM
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/01/new-details-on-benghazi.html
“The State Department is responsible for assessing security at its diplomatic installations and for requesting support from other government agencies if they need it,” a senior U.S. Defense official said. “There was no request from the Department of State to intervene militarily on the night of the attack.”
Bad news Frank….the ambassador died of smoke inhalation. Not nearly as exciting as being raped to death.
You are lying about what I said. Is THAT the best you have?
And, your primary source appears to be a “political” source.
Frank, why did Paul Ryan vote to cut $300 million from funding for embassy security?
Wow…I didn’t know this until today, but Bill’s Barbecue in Richmond closed all of their restaurants in September. This is akin to if the Roanoke Weiner Stand closed both of their locations here in Roanoke.
Romney, of course, is using this as a “thanks Obama” moment for an attack ad:
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/11/01/1122211/romney-campaign-blames-obama-for-closed-bbq-restaurant-with-repeated-health-violations/
Judging from the comments left on RTD articles about Bill’s, the locals say that the food was crappy, customer service was non-existent, had numerous inspection violations, and didn’t attract a younger demographic.
It’s ironic that the owner, Rhoda Elliot was named NFIB “Small Business Champion” for Virginia in 2010:
http://youtu.be/fdbmLUaRO8w
(Snark ahead) Oh…I get it now…she was a “champion” for her “lobbying” efforts for the NFIB, rather than running a successful company.
ABC NEWS
GOTTA LOVE IT!
By SARAH PARNASS
Nov. 1, 2012
An email message mistakenly sent to Newt Gingrich’s list serve this morning told subscribers that President Obama would no doubt win in 2012 and that they should be more worried about Obama’s winning in 2016.
That’s right, despite the 22nd Amendment, which limits any one person to two presidential terms, the email that went out to Gingrich’s supporters suggests President Obama would be running again in 2016, and possibly serve through 2020.
Donut Miser,
Pulled pork is like crab cakes. There is far, far more bad BBQ out there than the stuff that is worth eating. And when a place makes good BBQ (about 1 of of 10, in my own personal survey) you can’t prepare enough, or keep the customers away.
I suspect Bill’s went under because Ms. Elliot spent more time paying attention to the NFIB than she did her inherited restaurants, unlike her ancestors.
Not surprised the Romney campaign would try to capitalize on a failing business, though. Isn’t that what he spent his career at Bain doing?
As a former Richmond resident, I laughed outloud when I read that the Romney campaign attributed the closing of Bill’s to Obama! The terrible BBQ, dirty restaurants, and atrocious service have been Bill’s BBQ specialties for years.
I’m waiting for Obama to get blamed when all these silly frozen yogurt places start closing.
GEE Dub makes his whereabouts known to us
just in time to get a flavor of what we knew all along.
Would the Caymans be the dream capitol of the new Republican
Confederacy?
Hell..maybe it already is.
http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2012/11/bushs-top-secret-cayman-islands-speech-youre-welcome-america.html/
No surprise to me that Bill’s BBQ bit the dust. Their BBQ sucked and their restaurants were filthy.
Now If you are in RIC and you want some real BBQ – gto Buz and Ned’s on N Boulevard.
They beat Bobby Flay in a BBQ throwdown
Contra, guess who signed that bill with the lower funding? Yep, that would be Dear Leader. Oops!
Blacksburg Suz is right! The only surprise about Bill’s BBQ closing is that it stayed open as long as it did.
Frank, do you trust the WSJ:
“CIA Takes Heat for Role in Libya”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204712904578092853621061838.html?mod=WSJ_hps_LEFTTopStorie
Have to agree on the bad BBQ front. I’ve eaten at 2 or 3 restaurants whose BBQ I would pay good money to have delivered to my house if it were possible…but a couple dozen whose food was so horrendously bad that I would not feed it to my in-laws dog.
Restaurants with good food, a good reputation, good management, and good marketing simply do not close, even in a bad economy. But, good restaurants do go under when they start short-changing those areas…like declining food quality, lax management, falling reputations, etc…those are almost always what kills a restaurant.
Given the comments from folks who have eaten and Bill BBQ, it sounds like the food left something to be desired.
Which somehow, seems perfectly consistent with the Romney campaign touting it as an gastronomic tour de force.
Even OK BBQ is bad, if you’ve had the good stuff and are hoping for that.
#1 Kristen, the Ambassador’s death is a terrible tragedy and no one can dispute that.I can think of few places I’d rather not be than most countries in the middle east, especially those countries whose dictatorships were recently overthrown including Libya, Egypt and Tunisia. Yet it annoys me that the GOP/Tea Party jump at dispensing blame on Obama’s for the Ambassador’s death but give him no credit for our role in Gaddafi’s overthrow without one American life being spared. These are the same critics who think we should actively intervene in Iran and Syria despite a very effective sanctions program against Iran. Romney of course favors much less patience and a quicker trigger finger in both countries, policies which would no doubt lead to American intervention and loss of American lives. And these same critics no doubt fell in line with GWB when he pursued his war on Iraq, a country which did not pose a threat to this country and had absolutely no involvement with 9-11. Yet in their eyes the sacrifice of over 4,400 American lives and up to $3 trillion in that war was somehow justified but the death of our Ambassador in one of the world’s hottest of hot spots is cause to impeach or not reelect.
There is absolutely no question the death of Mr. Stevens should be investigated and if there is any criminal wrong doing, those responsible should be brought to justice. And there is no question in my mind that there is considerable hypocrisy being employed by those who want Obama’s head for this while they supported the Iraq War and would support an interventionist neocon policy as favored by Romney.
What this blog needs is a good BBQ/beer thread!
Bill’s was some the worst BBQ I ever had. Buz and Ned’s was outstanding last time I ate there.
Best BBQ I’ve had, hands down is Short Sugars in Danville
#15 Hmmm, reminds me of when one of our blog trolls tried to blame the clsosing of a local Asian buffet place on the economy. We had to school her as to what happens to places like that when a better place opens nearby.
Whow…..If Advanced Auto is bought out, would we lose our only fortune 500 company?
@21 This is very upsetting news (if it is true). I certainly believe if Advance is sold, it will not remain headquartered here.
#21 I’m guessing that if AA is sold, it will be really, really bad news for our area.
If AA is looking for a private equity fund like Bain Capital, it will be stripped of its assets, sold off in pieces, and bankrupted within four years. The current owners will make off with a potful of money, as will the vulture capitalists, and the pension fund will be liquidated and passed off onto the federal government.
Didn’t we just read an op-ed yesterday about the wonderful things Advance was doing for the valley? That was quick.
hey sandi,
regarding your post at #13, I think the report is self-evident. I also believe that this report is the tip of the ice berg.
hey gdud, I share the same thought.
hey dano, when are you gonna issue another report on The New Yorker?
#5, as i have said on this blog before, if the left wing nuts re-elect
obuma this tuesday, you will never have another presidential election in this country. he will by-pass the constitution and have himself appointed supreme ruler of the us. he will join his bff chavez in south america and all his arab friends in the middle east to rule this republic as a socialist nation. you can forget about ever having anything of your own in the future, the government will tell you where to live, where to work, what to eat, and where to go to school. be sure and get your prayer mats early before there is a run.
Hey guys the purpose of Advance Auto is not to stay headquartered in Roanoke, provide jobs or give to charities. Its purpose is to increase shareholder wealth. The company should move in the direction that provides the greatest opportunity for increasing shareholder wealth.
Nuts much, Colorado max?
#29 That was pretty funny, max. Congrats.
#30 Wow, Michael, that’s the ONLY purpose of a company?
#30 Actually, Michael, the laser focus on increasing shareholder wealth is one of the primary things severely damaging our country now.
Steve C I agree. As a certified Southern Redneck, just ask Miram, I smoke the best BBQ on my Green Egg.
Michael Howdyshell,
To a point I agree with your idea about Advance Auto’s purpose. However, if management of Advance Auto is guided by certain management principals it also considers its responsibility to the community at large. See the link below for more on this subject.
http://www.greenleaf.org/whatissl/
@30 Okay, now I just have to believe you are trolling the blog. Good job. You baited me in another thread but I’ll know better going forward.
Bloomberg is insane. They’re still finding dead on Staten Island. I guess the runners can help with the hunt.
Micheal I want to thank you for stepping up to the plate in Suzie’s absence. You’re a much more pleasant troll!
Micheal, you are as naive and simpleminded about “shareholder wealth” as, well just about everything else you post about here.
Shareholder wealth is not a sufficently precise term to be of much utility, because shareholders are not equal. Even when they seem to be, in the simplest of corporate structures with only one share class, the size of one’s holdings create disparity. More to the point, when private equity firms get involved, a common tactic in their strategies for increasing THEIR wealth is to begin making distinctions in share classes, with themselves as the beneficiaries of the changes. This has been the standard MO of Rmoney’s Bain Capital, (along with the huge federal bailout of Bain & Co. that he arranged, and the Wall St. bailouts). Anyone who’s been a value investor as a smaller shareholder, expecting to buy and hold for longterm appreciation, and then experienced an involuntary liquidation of their shares in an LBO, understands this. As do the many people who’ve been hosed by amoral vulture capital tactics. Thus we can presume that you’ve not been invested in the market long enough to understand the problems with the “might makes right” ethos of the corporate/capital oligarchy you defend.
Oh, I know, you’ll boast about how you have an MBA, are secretary/treasurer in a smallish provincial company, and so forth, but they don’t undo your displays of naivete. You say don’t dare leave your children debt, but leave them a poisoned ecology and anti-Christian business values, huh? Nice mindset you’ve got there, Beaver.
“Comment by colorado max”
Newt, is that you?
Dan@3:08
Well at least his language is better.
Richard Nixon had a degree in law, Lefty Driesell had a degree in English, and Micheal Howdyshell has an MBA.
Comment by colorado max — November 2, 2012 @ 2:20 pm
There are medications to control such mood swings colorado.
Kristen, there were some people in Staten Island who refused to evacuate because the hurricane from the year or two before wasn’t as bad as they were told it would be. They were hoping the same would be true this time. They may very well be among the dead.
@38 I agree Kristen. I can imagine the arguments in favor of it but I just don’t feel that they outweigh the multiple reasons it is not only a bad idea but in bad taste. I hope that some how we are both wrong about this and that it lifts the spirits in the city…but it’s kinda hard to imagine.
Gdad
Two points. In my freshman Introduction to Business class at the University of Tennessee Dr Townsend, made the point that the main reason a business exist is to increase shareholder wealth. The other good things a business does, jobs, benefits, taxes, etc cannot be done if profits (increasing shareholder wealth) do not occur. When I got my in MBA in 2001 the professors said the same thing. Its not that profits are the only thing a business does but it certainly takes profits to make everything else happen.
Oh Dan you make a Redneck blush
and your burkhas, or however you spell the ragheadslicer womens uniforms
Conservative,
I had breakfast at Short Sugars a few weeks ago. I’ll take your advice and stop there for lunch and have the BBQ.
I have to say that my wife’s BBQ is hard to beat. Well, anything she cooks is hard to beat. About a year ago she was in Lindsay Nair’s home cooks column in the RT. She was in the grocery store not long after and a lady recognized her from the column. Now she says she is a celebrity…lol
My mother used to interpret for the deaf, so I found this article about the animated interpreter for Bloomberg’s news conferences fascinating.
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/11/why-great-sign-language-interpreters-are-so-animated/264459/
I was an undecided voter until I read the political facts and commentary by Dan Casey and his gang of bloggers……said noone….ever
I see that poor old Fox News is assailing NBC for having a storm benefit concert. They want to know where all the “conservative” performers are.
What idiots.
Warren,
AS I keep saying I agree with you I am very simple minded.
That’s a problem with public corporations, they are beholden to the shareholders who are often concerned with short term profit vs long term benefits and sometimes not much else.
Warren, Just curious what is your educational background and what do you do?
Kristen… While I rarely disagree with you on anything, today I am taking issue with a few of your comments.
#1 How can you call frozen yogurt silly? Without Bloop or Sweet Frog or Frogurt, half of my diet would be eliminated.
#2 As for the NY Marathon. I was almost convinced that the event should be called off, too, until I heard someone on CNN make the point that this event brings much needed revenue into the city… which they really need right now. I’m torn because those personnel, who would be needed to run the marathon, are needed in other places right now. On the other hand, New York is a city of traditions and this is one of the finest, which can generate some badly needed $$$$.
I read today that Former FEMA director, under GW Bush, Michael Brown (Brownie) told New Yorkers affected by hurricane Sandy that they “need to chill.”
Seriously? This speaks volumes about why Katrina was the disaster that it was under his watch.
Hey Warren you are easier to call in then a flight of Mallards and a lot more guidable. LMAO
And gullible
LyndaK, i agree about the money coming in, but resources up there are scarce and I’d feel bad for the locals having to fight with the visitors for the last gallon of gas.
And I like froyo, I just can’t see how suddenly we need it everywhere. The product itself is yum.
Debbie, some of the dead maybe were holdouts, but I still think it’s tacky to have herds of runners traversing the borough when who the heck knows where the bodies still might be.
Who said no one ever changed their minds based on bloggers here? The marathon just got canceled.
Look Michael, some good news right up your alley:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/02/us-one-million-new-millionaires-obama_n_2066177.html
“U.S. Adds 1.1 Million Millionaires Under President Obama”
You’re right, Kristen, it is. A lot of New Yorkers are very angry that the marathon will be going on. As Lynda K said, it’s all about the money those participating in the marathon will be bringing in.
“Brownie” needs to go back into hiding. His comments are not endearing him to anyone.
Any word at all about where and when Clinton will be in Roanoke tomorrow? My entire day could be hinged on this event.
#51: gdad, here’s video of a wonderful sign language interpreter at a festival I attended in Richmond, where she was a great sport signing Deke Dickerson’s lyrics she’d never heard before like “Misshapen Hillbilly Gal” (“I like ‘em short and squatty, Thank the Lord he made that body”):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9icLB8mqCE
She was even drafted to dance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkHNWJnftIA&NR=1&feature=endscreen
Lynda K, Patrick Henry High, door open at 7 no tix necessary.
With a hat tip to Dan, I learned today that the latest poll in the Indiana Senate race between Richard Mourdock (T-Rep.) vs. Joe Donnelly (D.) shows Donnelly with an 11 point lead. As a native Hoosier I can tell you that if that poll is accurate it is astounding!!! Early last week Mr. Mourdock had a small lead. However, it appears that those “regular” Republicans who would have supported Sen. Richard Lugar without question are moving toward Mr. Donnelly in great numbers. I have my fingers crossed that this poll is even half right.
By the way, if the poll is correct & Mr. Donnelly wins, it will take what has been for 36 years a safe Republican seat and put it in the Democratic column. Somehow I don’t think that’s what Mr. McConnell and others had in mind. WaHoo!!!
#56: Mr. Howdyshell, I have a sixth grade education, and I do many things, without building my life around the pursuit of material things.
#35 Michael H,
You are entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts; I am in fact a member of the Mid Atlantic society of the ruling Democratic BBQ Party. Our professional membership consists of exactly one person. As such, let me share with you the best BBQ available within the state by official decree;
1-The Hillbilly Shack in Boones Mill on 220. These guys are only open sporadically so you have to keep checking. Once you pass the first gas station on the right heading south roll your window down and follow your nose or make a quick left after the green house.
2-Smoke House BBQ. This guy used to be on Williamson Rd across from the hardware store in a big ass truck and trailer. He’s harder to find now but worth it. On Saturdays he’s out on 24 at a school going towards the lake. On Sundays he’s in Salem on Main Street either in the parking lot of Advance Auto or another auto parts store near the wally world. Again, just follow your nose.
These two examples are at opposite ends of the BBQ spectrum in that the HB Shack uses sauce and SH BBQ is served naked; the common denominator is that both are perfectly smoked and served out of a truck. The HB Shack owner is apparently a Dead Head hippy whom I guess hails from Bent Mtn and the SH BBQ owner is a devote Christian from Kansas who often has his kids helping out after school. I enjoy them both and am thankful for their contributions to the culinary arts.
Out of town, Buz and Ned’s in Richmond was outstanding the last time I ate there, as was Pierces on 64 outside of Williamsburg. Hands down the best BBQ you can buy in the Old Dominion is on RT 151 in Nellys Ford at a place called “Blue Ridge Pig”. It is absolutely outstanding in every respect. I started eating there 20 years ago this month when I worked at Wintergreen resort and had the pleasure of meeting Strawberry, the owner who also built the smoke house in back, but that’s another story. In any event, if you eat there get the plate with the baked beans and the potato salad. The only thing on the plate not made in-house is the roll. When I found out I was being transferred back to the area I was overjoyed and a big part of the equation was the BRP. There is also three world class microbrewery’s located very close by, including Devils Backbone at the foot of Wintergreen Mtn, the maker of the finest Hefeweizen I have ever had in my life including those from Germany. I have a growler in my fridge for this weekend.
On the other hand, my last assignment was in Lexington, NC, a place where the deluded denizens mistakenly refer to as the BBQ capital of the world. This miscarriage of justice pretty much equates to an ugly child’s parents telling them that they’re beautiful. Bill’s BBQ, the chain in Richmond that just thankfully shuttered their doors, falls into the same category; it was dry, stringy and lacked even the faintest hint of smoke. Good freakin’ riddance. Bill’s BBQ was so bad that if a terrorist ever force-feed me that crap I’d slit my own throat just it so this poor excuse for BBQ would never be able to reach my GI tract; I am not joking, it was that damn bad!
As you can see, Michael, I am truly a patron of the arts and a coinsurer of smoked pig. I live for the good stuff and have earned my esteemed title of Grand Supreme General for Life of-all-things-BBQ’ed. I have already established the BBQ hierarchy but I am more than happy to sample your work if you want to be considered for inclusion on this esteemed list. Politics aside you seem like a genuinely great guy and a good role model for your kids and anybody who smokes their own meat gets bonus good guy points. I would enjoy having a beer with you maybe after the election when your blood pressure goes down a couple hundred points.
And I’m still waiting for you to shoot a pig and smoke it so I can call you Mr. Green Eggs and Ham!
Lynda K, That’s 7 PM, at PHHS, and free tickets ARE necessary. Get them here:
https://my.barackobama.com/page/s/see-president-bill-clinton-in-roanoke
“no tix necessary.”
According to the press release, tickets are required and may be downloaded here.
Here in town, Paul “Capt. Paul” Giordano makes the best BBQ that I’ve ever eaten anywhere. He takes a whole Boston Butt, brines it in a molasses/salt water mix for 24 hours, then grinds up a load of spices, packed them around the butt, then smokes the thing in his Primo ceramic oven (charcoal) over 1/2 gallon of apple juice. Paul has radio-controlled thermometors so that he doesn’t have to go out and see how the thing is doing. They using smoke for 16 hours.
BTW, for those who are interested, he tell me this is nothing more than the Alton Brown recipe, available on line. It’ll spoil you for BBQ just about anywhere.
Thanks, Warren. I got mine.
Okay, I forgot about the Capt.
steve c,
There was a q joint in Johnson County, NC, by the name of Blue Swan, which had the best smoked q (eastern nc style), that i’ve come across. the spouse and i even had that stuff shipped in and served at our wedding.
And, lets not forget king’s q in Colonial Heights and Petersburg, Va, one of my all-time favorites.
How’s wisconsin goin’ for ya?
Steve
I’m not in your league, but I do have fun with it. What do you think if Pierces in Williamsburg and Kings in Petersburg?
Steve..congratulations..
between the BRP and the Devils Backbone
(which if you think about it sounds a bit like
something out of Hells Spit)..you have me wanting some of
their pork. Youve done something since I get my smoke fix
here in North Texas.
They have fabulous beef brisket here..but to hear your roadside
excursions makes me want to get back to old home…even if I have to bring a little sauce..
From WaPO; Romney’s campaign an insult to voters.
Lee Atwater has been dead since 1991, but his sad legacy continues.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/02/obama-hate-text-messages-lee-atwater_n_2067774.html?fb_action_ids=4881449797821%2C4879513469414&fb_action_types=news.reads&fb_ref=type%3Aread%2Cuser%3AxeChpob5WZu0TEjjHCkmbN5zFRM%2Caf%3Asb&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%224881449797821%22%3A396023907134262%2C%224879513469414%22%3A298144926966644%7D&action_type_map=%7B%224881449797821%22%3A%22news.reads%22%2C%224879513469414%22%3A%22news.reads%22%7D&action_ref_map=%7B%224879513469414%22%3A%22type%3Aread%2Cuser%3AxeChpob5WZu0TEjjHCkmbN5zFRM%2Caf%3Asb%22%7D
#79 Michael H,
Pierces in Williamsburg totally kicked ass the last time I had it. I did just buy a pint of their BBQ sauce that wallyworld sells. I have not tried Kings in Petersburg yet but it sounds like a road trip.
One last BBQ suggestion; The Lovingston Café, which is right off 29 between CVille and LBurg does a reasonably good job with their smoker as well. They do their pork for 8 hours but also do excellent smoked trout they buy from a hatchery over on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It goes in the same smoker but for only 45 min.
Finally, to shift culinary gears, the crab cake at the new Beamers restaurant is the best in the valley; it’s got pieces of crab in it the size of a nickel, no filler and very fresh for $13 bucks. They are also doing a great job with their micro brew taps, 25 I think with no PBR to speak of. It’s also a beautiful space.
#78 Frank,
“How’s wisconsin goin’ for ya?”
To the best of my knowledge Wisconsin has no BBQ culture but I could be wrong.
SteveC,
The only decent crabcakes are served in the proximity of the Chesapeake Bay, respectfully.
SteveC, I haven’t heard much about that restaurant…glad for the head’s up.
Our neighbors told us Beamers is pretty good. Haven’t been there yet. Will have to check out the crab cake. So far, the best crab cake I’ve had in the valley is Billy’s Ritz, and it was pretty good.
Steve, do you prefer pulled or chopped? I like East Carolina
Viniger based sauce. I smoke my pork for 18 hours or so at 180 degrees or as close as I can keep to it. I do a smoked Turkey every Thanksgiving.
Michael, is it true you’re having a pulled pork party after the Clinton rally?
I like the vinegar based sauce too, with a hearty dose of red pepper flakes.
Clinton certainly likes his pork to be pulled.
Sandy River Pork has a really good BBQ sauce called Oinkment sauce. It’s tomato based with just enough vinegar and spice. A little sweet, a little heat and a lot of good taste.
Dan:
“There is far, far more bad BBQ out there than the stuff that is worth eating. And when a place makes good BBQ (about 1 of of 10, in my own personal survey) you can’t prepare enough, or keep the customers away.”
This true. We had BBQ joint open in Blacksburg that to call mediocre would have been a compliment too kind for words. They were simply awful and closed in 8 months. I don’t know how Blacksburg’s other BBQ place stays open. I guess they’re hustling, but it’s not their product.
Marie March, you have no competition. Please open a Due South II in Blacksburg. It’ll be packed all day every day!
What is it with people who make what they call BBQ but there’s absolutely no smoke taste?
Being from the north, I completely don’t get this BBQ debate thing. I can’t get this bent over anything but pizza.
Kristen:
95.”Being from the north, I completely don’t get this BBQ debate thing.”
For Kristen and all other northeners, here is a great, must-see, SPOT-ON tutorial on barbecue:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ubTQfr_tyY
I’m from the midwest and I’m not a BBQ expert. I do remember that both my grandfather’s had smokehouses in which they cured meat. I also remember my grandfather, dad, & uncles staying up overnight to cook a “pig in the ground” on special occasions like family reunions and weddings. I also remember them cooking several beef briskets for similar occasions. Those of you who are more expert on these matters probably understand more about these things than I do. I just know that I really enjoyed eating the food.
By the way, a regret I have at this stage in my life is that I didn’t learn to smoke and preserve meat from my grandfathers.
#96 But where was Virginia in that song?
gdad:
“But where was Virginia in that song?”
They purposefully put Virginia’s outline behind “Kentucky” as not to “leave Virginia out”. They said that in the comments of wherver that was origianlly posted years back. They also put “Florida” over the outline of California in the same fashion, but for a different reason.
Virignia isn’t known for barbecue.