Tis the Season

I fell asleep in the middle of everything tonight... so as to not totally remove myself from duty, I will steal material for tonight's blog from other sources. (A time honored personal website/blog tradition, that for the most part I've tried to avoid)

If you don't want to read the stuff I've lifted I'll provide my usual commentary on news and odd tidbits at the end of this entry.

First one of my favorite holiday oriented Saturday Night Live sketches, I'm sure many of you love this one as much as I do.

A Holiday Wish
written by Steve Martin, performed on Saturday Night Live (1991)

Steve Martin: If I had one wish that I could wish this holiday season, it would be that all the children to join hands and sing together in the spirit of harmony and peace. If I had two wishes I could make this holiday season, the first would be for all the children of the world to join hands and sing in the spirit of harmony and peace. And the second would be for 30 million dollars a month to be given to me, tax-free in a Swiss bank account. You know, if I had three wishes I could make this holiday season, the first, of course, would be for all the children of the world to get together and sing, the second would be for the 30 million dollars every month to me, and the third would be for encompassing power over every living being in the entire universe. And if I had four wishes that I could make this holiday season, the first would be the crap about the kids definitely, the second would be for the 30 million, the third would be for all the power, and the fourth would be to set aside one month each year to have an extended 31-day orgasm, to be brought out slowly by Rosanna Arquette and that model Paulina-somebody, I can't think of her name. Of course my lovely wife can come too and she's behind me one hundred percent here, I guarantee it. Wait a minute, maybe the sex thing should be the first wish, so if I made that the first wish, because it could all go boom tomorrow, then what do you got, y'know? No, no, the kids, the kids singing would be great, that would be nice. But wait a minute, who am I kidding? They're not going to be able to get all those kids together. I mean, the logistics of the thing is impossible, more trouble than it's worth! So -- we reorganize! Here we go. First, the sex thing. We go with that. Second, the money. No, we got with the power second, then the money. And then the kids. Oh wait, oh jeez, I forgot about revenge against my enemies! Okay, I need revenge against all my enemies, they should die like pigs in hell! That would be my fourth wish. And, of course, my fifth wish would be for all the children of the world to join hands and sing together in the spirit of harmony and peace. Thank you everybody and Merry Christmas.

OK, next a coworker sent me the following forward today... I'm fairly certain I've seen it before, however as it speaks to both my interests in theology and science I must post it for all to enjoy:

The following is supposedly an actual question given on a University of Toronto chemistry mid-term. The answer by one student was so "profound" that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well.

Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)
Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law (gas cools when it expands and heats when its compressed) or some variant.

One student, however, wrote the following:
First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving. I think we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving. As for how many souls are entering Hell, lets look at the different Religions that exist in the world today. Most of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell.

With Birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially. Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added.

This gives two possibilities:
1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.
2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.

So which is it?
If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my Freshman year that, "it will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you, and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then number 2 must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over. The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any more souls and is therefore, extinct... leaving only Heaven thereby proving the existence of a divine being which explains why, last night, Teresa kept shouting "Oh my God."

This student received the only "A".

And below, In the news:

I saw this one yesterday actually. (wiping tears) I can't help but feel a little surge of pride for my home state over this one.

Live lingerie models have male shoppers 'Spellbound'

Here is some pretty scary extremism. Not to mention that it is highly illogical. Studies have shown that homosexuals trend towards being "hypermasculine" or having higher than average levels of testosterone. The prescribed treatment of United Arab Emirates, likely won't do too much accept accelerate body hair growth and balding, however it could actually contribute to increased sexual urges.

UAE: Hormone treatment for gay men

Additionally of interest, a letter to the "metro" Boston's free newspaper that I pick up on the subway, accused Bush's grandfather Prescott Bush of being a Nazi sympathizer and funder. Surprisingly of all of the things I've heard regarding the Bushes, this particular item has evaded me. It was a bit of an extremist assessment of W, calling him a fascist and evil, which, although I dislike his policies, I'm not quite sure either is an appropriate description. Anyway, I decided to "Google" Prescott to see what I could find. The following link is to a chapter of an unauthorized biography on George Bush.

http://www.tarpley.net/bush2.htm

If you link from the chapter (related to topic mentioned above) to the table of contents, it is rather evident from the title of each chapter, the opinion and the agenda that Tarpley and Chaitkin had in constructing this book. At the same time this chapter seems to mass evidence that much of the Walker/Bush fortune was acquired by business with a known enemy. Kind of hypocritical considering George H.W. Bush fought in WWII, and perhaps the reason more has not been made of these associations. I suppose they lived by that mantra "Its just business". My disagreement with such an ideal is perhaps one of many reasons I'll never be a billionaire :D. (Hmmmmm You're either with us or against us? The Patriot Act? Looks like W would have had Poppy (Prescott's nick name) sent to Guantanamo Bay if he was running the country back then.)

And in closing tonight here is an insiders take on the decision making process and ability within the Bush administration regarding the Iraq war. It sheds more light on Powell's exit from not only the administration, but essentially the public eye as well. I think it suggests some extreme conflict within the mind of one the United State's highest respected political figures of the past 20 years.

Ex-Powell aide: Bush 'too aloof'

Cranial Crud

Before I ease into a peaceful slumber I must write down what ever random thoughts expletives, and what not, are currently gracing my cranium.

A couple interesting finds today.

First off, of all the horrible things that could happen to people:

Girl with peanut allergy dies after kiss

Good luck to the poor surviving kid to see if he can manage to be a functioning human being the rest of his life. (I can't touch you... you'll die!!)

The Christian Science Monitor had an interesting article about the Iraq progress, or lack thereof from a soldier's viewpoint. Yes I realize the church of Christian Science has some wacky ideas about modern medicine, but their news commentary isn't half bad. (I guess the popularity of this publication vs. the popularity and membership count of this religious institution speaks for itself) I must say that I do enjoy strolling around the Christian Science campus in Boston. The reflecting pool coupled with both modern and Romanesque architecture definitely makes it one of my favorite spots in Boston.

Anyway the article:

The Iraq story: how troops see it

Work is kind of pissing me off this week. I have experiments to run, data to assemble, notebooks to put together, correspondences to send out, and if that weren't enough we are moving our whole lab to a different building, while trying to minimize any interference to our work. Oh yeah, did I mention IT shut down our PCs the second half of the day? Which made it real convenient for me to put together the data on the excel spreadsheets and what not. Oh yeah and I have to put together my "November Summary" to forward to, my boss, and half of the data isn't stored electronically yet. Two of our HPLC's aren't networked, and can't be networked for security reasons because they only run Windows 2000. In addition they have no CD drives, so I end up getting creative on the data transfer. Fun with floppies, woo hoo! Each time I try to finish up an experiment I find that someone has packed up something I needed. We have two days till the physical move and everyone packed everything up already! So much for trying to maximize the experimentation time. Grrrrr....

Anyway.

Well Good night everyone. Tomorrow is another day, as they say. Oh-oh, I'm starting to rhyme unintentionally, it is definitely time for some shut eye.

Thanksgiving and politics

Well, I hope everyone had a nice holiday.
I watched Harry Potter's Goblet of Fire Wednesday night with dad. Ate quite my share Thursday. Friday I caught up with some old neighbors and friends. Saturday I bought an artificial tree that Kate and I plan on decorating with our infinite creativity. I rented some movies with my parents (all of which I had sadly seen). Sunday I ate yet more turkey and managed to mosey on back to Boston.

Jens brought this issue to my attention after a long weekend of avoiding politics. (I didn't want to fight with my parents. I'm proud to say, for the most part I achieved that goal).

He initially sent me a link to a UK editor's take on the issue. There wasn't anything surprising in this information. I really kind of just assumed it was a given. I must say, that I'm glad that the trumpeter of information is an Iraqi rather than U.S. media interests. However it is also important to keep in mind that Allawi lost the election for prime minister. Much like any politician they are likely going to paint a less than rosy picture of what the opposing party does. I will say it is sort of amusing that the "one time" appointed PM is now poised to cause the Bush administration additional headaches.

Jens's column:
Abuse worse than under Saddam, says Iraqi leader

Initially upon skimming this, I assumed that it was more of an "editorial" than hard news. I do think that the author tends to use language that is a bit more flamboyant than what you would find from the BBC or associated press. All the same, this article does have some additional value over the "watered down" version picked up by the American "Associated Press".

I'm particurally fond of:

In a chilling warning to the West over the danger of leaving behind a disintegrating Iraq, Allawi added: 'Iraq is the centerpiece of this region. If things go wrong, neither Europe nor the US will be safe.'

This needs to be driven home.

W is failing to do this.

Partly because he is nearly incapable of speaking without intensive coaching by Karl Rove (who happens to be preoccupied).
And additionally most Americans view Bush as bearing responsibility for the muddled confusion that Iraq has become. It is tough to rise above the scorn of this. If I were making decisions in the Bush administration I would be looking for someone who could communicate this to the U.S.

Powell might be good if that bridge hasn't been burned. Perhaps McCain. Hell... enlist good old Bubbah Clinton. He always loves publicity, and he could always throw in comments about how great Hillary is.
You can't have Rumsfeld or Rice, and definitely not Cheney do this job. No-one cares about the press secretary either.

Anyway. Here is the brief CNN AP article.

Ex-PM: Abuse as bad as Saddam era

It is almost comical by comparison of its total lack of substance, although I will say, unlike Peter Beaumont's report, this lacks assumptions. Peter tends to suggest what this information will mean for the future, which is kind of a misstep. I'd expect this type of journalism from someone like Katie Couric who makes her thoughts on news quite clear. This is why she is Today show material rather than Prime Time with Brian Williams.

These are some of Peter Beaumont's commentary that is interspersed in the Observer article. I find the structure not unlike a thesis paper, quote/fact, then comment to support the "thesis".

Allawi's bleak assessment is likely to undermine any attempt to suggest that conditions in Iraq are markedly improving
His uncompromising comments came on the eve of Saddam's latest court appearance on charges of crimes against humanity. They seem certain to fuel the growing sense of crisis over Iraq, both in the country itself and in the US, where political support for the occupation continues to plummet.
The intervention by one of Iraq's most prominent political figures promises to turn human rights abuses into a key election issue.
In a very clever move Beaumont ends his article with a quote:

'The assertions by Mr Allawi simply underline the catastrophic failure to have a proper strategy in place for the post-war period in Iraq.'Sir Menzies Campbell, the Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesman

Beckett, Lantchips & Mrs. Sunshine

As one can imagine, I, much like all of you, will be pretty gosh darn busy, dag nab it! The holidays are upon us, work is busy, and winter will soon make my commutes a bit longer and more painful. I'll do my best to continue writing 5 days a week or so, but definitely I'm going to miss a day here and there. Tomorrow will likely be my last post until the following Monday as I will be headed up to Maine for the holidays.

I just wrote about three paragraphs and the browser refreshed and deleted it all.. and man am I pissed off.

Anyway there is a lot to talk about today and I want to start out with some promising news. I'm sure all of you Sox fans are as psyched as I am!

The Big One

Josh Beckett may be coming to beantown soon! Provided he doesn't get blisters on his fingers too frequently this will be a big plus to the Sox organization! I guess this means that I likely won't get Beckett on my fantasy league team again this year like I have had the past two. Now everyone and their dog will likely try and recruit him... grrr.

Well I'll continue by summing up briefly recent events in the wild and crazy life of George.

Kate and I went to see "Walk the Line" this weekend, and I highly recommend it. If you liked last year's Ray, this film is even better. Witherspoon and Phoenix are nothing short of amazing. Not only is their acting prowess top notch, but they show great musical and singing ability. I'd even say I'd prefer their "covers" of these great legends to most of the new crap that graces the billboard charts of today.

The nice thing about this story is, yes it is one of tragedy, however we get to see "good" ultimately triumph in the end. It takes the characters a lot of hard work, and they need to overcome many failures first, but in a world of cynicism over relationships, love, amongst many other things it is great to see a story where people beat the odds.

Sunday Kate and I trekked to Quincey Center via the Red line to catch a free shuttle to the new IKEA store in Stoughton. Sadly we were the only people who utilized our particular ride over. They had full sized buses driving people over constantly from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The traffic was pretty hairy as we approached the store, which is fittingly on a hilltop. A place of worship for the American consumer. We are being introduce to a foreign God.

The IKEA store is quite large, although most people tend to exaggerate its size. And upon observing this edifice on a hill, it is built to encourage you to exaggerate its presence. Many people will tell you it has three floors. The truth is, the first level is a parking garage, with some shipping. The second level is more shipping, and about 60-75% a warehouse. Also on the second level is a snack shop and the main registers which are essentially along the line of any large box store. (Think Home Depot or Lowes specifically). Additionally on this second level is a decent sized area, probably similar in size to a Bed Bath and Beyond, devoted to exactly those items. Out of everything I saw in IKEA it was the one thing in particular, kitchenware specifically, that I'd consider purchasing. (50 cent pint glasses ooh la la)

The third floor (really the second) is made up of furniture. Like any furniture showroom you can purchase the pictures and various other accessories decorating each display. If you recall Service Merchandise or True Value House (for those of you from the Northeast U.S.) purchasing follows the same sort of method. You write down the code of the item you want, then you go find it downstairs in the warehouse. Service Merchandise of course would go get it for you, but its all about profits now days. No need to pay those extra employees if they don't have to.

If anything at all, I had to admire this trendy bad-assed box store on roids brought to America by the socialist country of Sweden, no less (the irony kills me :D). I really wish they had ABBA and Ace of Base blasting through the store's speakers instead of the hip-hop they were playing. If not that, I think at least some new age music, and perhaps an occasional voice over by a seductive woman with a foreign accent, who would suggest various purchases; that would have been appropriate.

This store really is built to be worshiped like a cathedral. It is on a hill covered in striking bright blue paneling. Bright yellow letters spell out IKEA. An additional tower sits on top of one corner, a new age steeple for our new pagan religion. There is a striking lack of fast food joints nearby encouraging you to consume their hotdogs and "Swedish" junk food available in the IKEA restaurant and cafeteria. Perhaps Lantchips are actually sacrament in worship of efficient European design. Lingonberry juice, serves as the holy wine. For those really devout worshipers they can indulge in cinnabuns with thick sickly sweet frosting elegantly dripped across them with purpose.

IKEA's product line is approximately what I expected. Most of the furniture I found to be well... I found it to be ugly to be quite honest. The things that I did like tended to be pricey which kind of goes against the whole point of IKEA to begin with. When comparing the pricier items of my favor, I'm sure I could find an equivalent product somewhere else for a similar price that would almost surely be better made. There were a few things I saw here and there that appeared reasonably sturdy. This store has only been open for about a week, and I noticed that the IKEA fake wood laminate countertops and furniture on display was already chipping and showing signs of wear.

The way I see it you pay what you get for. Maybe you'll find a sharp looking ultra modern bookcase, but it will likely sag with the weight of your books, or the veneer will splinter off slowly each time your foot accidentally brushes its corner. I would advise forking over an extra 25% or so to another furniture store, and get furniture that lasts twice as long.

There were some dirt cheap tables and stools which I'm sure as a college student I would have loved, however they tend to be painted like the colors you'd expect children's furniture to be, or they looked like you may have ripped them off from your high school cafeteria. In the interest of feeling slightly sophisticated, you'll have better luck scoping out sidewalks during spring cleaning for your apartment furnishings.

While we were there, the store's entire computer system shut down and everyone was stuck in check out lines for extended periods of time. As Kate and I browsed, announcers came on repeatedly to announce they were working on the problem.

Anyway we did get a bag of Lantchips (European Potato chips made in Idaho) and a couple of 75 cent sodas. It was a very entertaining day and I feel well versed in the latest consumer craze.

Well you knew it was coming, and now the time is here for me to post some current events. Politics

In the U.S. the story of the day is probably the devastating cuts being made by a struggling General Motors. I haven't heard the speculations, but I would imagine that this could clear the way for Ford and Toyota to surpass what once reigned as an untouchable front runner in the world of automotive.

Hopefully the people in the affected communities can recover soon. It is almost unbelievable that the Saturn plant that makes the "Ion" is already shutting down and it is only 15 years old.

Shock and sadness at GM plants

Next, more directly related to politics:

McCain, Graham warn GOP may be in trouble

I enjoy a few of the quotes and points made in this article and I'll reference a couple below.

"If we really want to do well in 2006, we need to have fiscal discipline like Republicans campaigned on," he said. "We have lost our way as a party. Our base is deflated and taxpayers don't see any difference between us and the Democrats." Lindsey Graham, R, South Carolina.

No one currently has fiscal discipline. This administration has been spending more on nearly everything. And its a joke when the democrats complain about the proposed cuts being devastating, because the cuts don't even come close to returning spending levels to "Clinton era" levels of spending. Bush spent more on education, social services, Medicare. The social level of our government has expanded more over the past four years than any other time since FDR's New Deal when Social Security was first established. Republicans supporting smaller government went away when Newt Gingrich and the contract with America were run out of office, partially by none other than our wonderful revered Tom Delay. Political pundits are claiming the #1 reason the last series of budgetary reforms failed was there was NO pork attached, so all of the upstanding citizens in the legislative branch of course voted it down.

Next Senator.. with any luck President McCain weighs in on the war and its affect of voters opinions:

The party, he said, must be honest enough to admit that things aren't going as well as hoped in Iraq.

"Democrats who have this cut-and-run strategy -- the public doesn't want to follow that. They want to follow Republicans who understand the war is not going as well as it should but who understand that our security is better off with a successful outcome in Iraq," he said.

The message in Iraq, McCain said, "is we are making progress, we have to make progress and we regret the loss of every single young American. But the benefits of success are enormous."

This of course leads into:

Hillary: Immediate Iraq Withdrawal a 'Big Mistake'

Which if you take the time to read what Mrs. Sunshine has to say... It churns my gut that I agree with her. I feel what Hillary Clinton is saying reflects reality in a manner that is intelligent and accurate. There I said it... I agree with Hillary. If you'll excuse me I have to go wash out my mouth with soap and flog myself now.

Bartley's Burger Cottage

Finally made it to this Cambridge/ Harvard Square hot spot. I had a "Mitt Romney" which was a Swiss cheeseburger with grilled onions and onion rings. I had a side of cole slaw to go with it. This place is more than I ever hoped it could and would be. I can see myself heading back there a couple times! Entrees are all named after celebrities and politicians. Often the menu descriptions are complete with sarcastic remarks. (The John Kerry burger is listed as "The burger he voted for, and then later voted against")

I don't have much time to write this evening so I'll just post a few interesting news bits and links that I saw today.

Focus on getting students into college shifts to getting them out

This is an interesting article that cites a surprising statistic of 54% of kids who go to college never graduate.

Cops: Gunman robs eatery twice in one day This article just strikes me as quite hysterical.

This is a column from the Globe, which I might add is a liberal publication. I must admit I do see it being tough for Bush to bounce back from his current scenarios. I at least don't envision a majority approval rating any time soon. Bush's greatest problem is an inability to comunicate with the American people. At times I almost feel like it isn't so much of an inability, as it is just no desire to explain the agenda in any detail what so ever. Anyway here is the column.

Truman bounced back -- so will Bush

It seems an appropriate link to post after the jokes I made earlier this week.

On a slightly related topic, Scooter, Scooter, tsk tsk. All that perjury, and for what? As you may know, Woodward, the journalist at the center of the Plame affair, has come out in saying that Scooter Libby is not the white house leak of Valerie Plame's CIA identity.

Anyhow... the weekend will be here soon! Whoopie!

Trash on the boob tube

Due to the recent mentions in the news I've been thinking lately of the quality of programming on television as of late.

Last week there was an article regarding advertisers pulling out of FX's controversial Nip-Tuck drama. Toyota was the latest to withdraw their ads, which is unusual as they tend not to get involved in such political matters (according to the article). I wish that I had the link, I would post it. I will admit myself, I was quite astonished to be flipping through the channels mid day (during my unemployment :D) and caught what was essentially soft porn on basic cable. I'm definitely not a proponent of censorship, and I think one of the great foundations of this country is freedom of speech, however, that being said... as cable is a government regulated institution, right or wrong, it probably does give leverage to the FCC to impose some decency standards. In the perfect world, none should have to be imposed. I think it should be up to the private stations to adhere to some unwritten ethics on what time of the day it is appropriate to air certain content. After 10:00 pm or on subscription channels like HBO, they should be able to show whatever they damn well please.

Another alternative to silence censorship advocates would be to promote and educate the public more effectively on the use of the V-chip. We are likely reaching an age where nearly all TV's have this capability, however I would guess the actual use of this feature is sparse.

In truth, the best weapon against an erosion of values is communication with children. Honesty and realistic discussion is probably the best route to go. Sadly I question how many parents out there take the time to do this. We live in a nation where each generation has progressively become more self centered and hedonistic. The "right thing" to do in many circumstances today would likely sharply contrast with values of even just 25 years ago. Other parents are honestly, I feel, embarrassed to talk to their children about certain things that they should. I think this is directly related to a statistical trend of higher teen pregnancy in the Bible belt.

Toyota's withdrawing advertising money is an excellent example of a consumer economy working the old fashion way to utilize certain powers within their grasp. This is an ideal way to force the hand of what I feel are, irresponsible programming directors. Censorship is not the answer.

To bring up a past issue. The FCC's crack down on Howard Stern, essentially singling him out from hundreds of shock jocks across the country was wrong. It was wrong because, it was government imposed censorship. It was wrong because it was clearly politically motivated. Stern had become increasingly critical of the Bush administration, and apparently it did not go unnoticed.

To head back to the quality of television programming, anyway here is another link from the Globe on the increased amount of sexuality, specifically in television directed towards teenagers.

Study says sexual scenes have nearly doubled

Two particular portions of this article stand out to me. This first quote:

''If you are the parent of a 16-year-old and you tell them to be very careful, don't engage in sex, the message TV is giving them is that that's not relevant, we're not talking about that," Kunkel says. ''Kids can get deluded into thinking that pregnancy, AIDS, or [sexually transmitted diseases] don't happen because they rarely happen on TV."

I like this quote for a couple reasons. Now you might say "Give kids some credit". Now I would have to say in response, most kids who are 16 think that they are 30. In addition, today, myself included many people pushing 30 don't even have life figured out let alone at 16. Yet at 16 we tend to think we are brilliant. We are indignant and think we know all the answers. So if you have programming with attractive "cool" kids engaging in risky behavior with reckless abandon. If they are treating sexual behavior simply like they are going on different carnival rides at the fair... Well, lets just say people often forget that "The Zipper" often breaks down and turns your world upside down. Restraint in such matters is very important, and when the entertainment world explores almost exclusively the allure over consequences it can be problematic.

Another point made in the article, that I find questionable is "While family advocates reacted to the study by calling on Hollywood or Congress to limit the portrayals, some Boston-area teens said that television isn't influencing them, it's merely presenting an exaggerated version of real life." I put those last words in bold because I feel it demonstrates part of the problem. If you fantasize about having a life like a character on the OC, and you think that this is merely a swankier version of "real life", then I think... and perhaps I'm wrong, but I believe this could lead to sort of a shitty real life.

What part is exaggerated? The betrayl, the cheating, the promiscuity, the lavish lifestyles, the beauty of the actors and actresses, or is it all of the above? I'd be curious to hear what the average teen fan of the show thinks is "exaggerated". I'd almost place money that 8 out of 10 list the wealth and appearance as the exclusive exaggerations, and that, I feel would vindicate the type of danger such a show can impose on pliable minds of teens.

I also like this particular quote, I think it stands on its own merits: ''Sexual activity doesn't even involve love anymore. Instead, sex on TV is treated about as casually as choosing what ring tone you want on your cell phone. If that's where society is going, I think we're in for a world of hurt."

The same people who would generally criticize my views on television's sexual content influencing teenagers and adolescents tend to have a very adverse response to violence on TV. It is something I really don't get. I think you would have to be a real dim wit to watch the Terminator and let it influence you to go out and beat people up randomly. It is fantasy! And that is the problem, I feel with a lot of these teen soaps. The lines between fantasy and reality are blurred. Even porn tends to portray it self as something outside of the normal plane of reality. No one would suggest that their typically absurd plot lines... or lack there of are an "exaggeration of real life" (Not that I would advocate this to hormone overloaded teens).

Lastly, something I find perhaps even more disturbing than soap operas, the majority of reality TV. You have a show called "The Biggest Loser" which, if I need to explain what is wrong about that one.... well, quite frankly I feel bad for you. Fear factor is an excuse to watch women in sports bras shriek, and Big Brother, the Mole, Survivor and most of the others all tend to be about a couple of ugly things, gossip, and unnecessary drama. I feel shows like these incubate the mentality of behind the back bickering and creating major personal problems over things that should be passed over and forgotten. I find it to be divisive television that shows adults acting like a bunch of 15 year olds. Backstabbing, ganging up on the weakest and meekest, and excluding people who are different are rewarded behaviors in most of these shows.

Anyway I suppose I'm done spewing my horrible backwards Puritanical ethics for now. Perhaps some of you relate, or perhaps you are thinking... what did that kid's parents do to him. Either way, I hope it was somehow entertaining. :D

YOU CAN DO IT!

Some Interesting Gallup stats I swiped from CNN. I think Bush has got his work cut out for him. First off, W beat Clinton's high gallup marks after 911, and now he's tied with Clinton's low mark. Come on Georgie... Don't let us down, I'm sure you can think of some clever yet mostly harmless way to drive those #s down more. But hey if you want to go all out, chances are it might not be all that different than something Rumsfeld is already scheming up. I mean, you might as well try now, you do have your work cut out for you however, I mean Truman's 22%?! That's some infamy right there. Hell I mean outside of catching Bin Laden, I don't think there is a whole lot you could do to bring your numbers back up. Here's some ideas I'll float your way... and since they seem to be in the business of mucking things up I'll float them by Cheney's staff.

1) Propose legislation to euthanize all puppies that have two different colored eyes claiming that it is clearly a mark of the damned.
2) Launch a new (and improved) Attack on Iraq for the recent terrorist strikes on Jordan. Claim that you are fighting in the name of Allah and call it "Operation Dustbuster".
3) Suggest replacing George Washington's "outdated" picture on the dollar bill, with a picture of Jesus. Claim that the lord would want it this way so when you hand a single to a bum (yes that's right say bum, not homeless person), you can still be generous while still making him feel guilty. End your proposal with the advice that "The message of the lord is the most powerful when delivered with a healthy serving of inferiority". This comes with the unvoiced implication that the homeless are bad people rather than victims of mental illness. It goes well with the good/evil, black and white rhetoric... really its a no brainer.
4) Take up chewing tobacco, and normally where you would have those awkward yet endearing "Texan" speech pauses, take the time to spit.
5) Replace your press secretary Scott McClellan with a cheerleader dressed in a sexy red white and blue lone-star cowgirl outfit. When posed with difficult or depressing questions she uses time honored lines as "turn that frown upside down" and "Now lets not be a negative Nancy!".
6) Whatever the next position is that becomes available in your administration nominate a "cute" lady you know, "Harriet Miers".
7) End speeches by pumping your fists and yelling "Arriba!" "Arriba!"
8) Blame the high gas prices on Satan. Claim that global warming is occurring because of the presence of the devil in our children. Demand that God wants us to drill more oil because sticking the drills deep in the ground, is in fact stabbing and wounding hell, and that its the only way to weaken Lucifer.
9) Give out stretched Hummers in public White House lawn ceremonies to corporate executives that embody "The new spirit of America".
10) Rather than "waste" your, or your cabinent's time with visits to foreign lands start sending the free loading interns to earn their keep.

As promised the CNN list:

-Truman: 22% mid-February, 1952

-Eisenhower: 49% mid-July, 1960

-Kennedy: 56% mid-September, 1963

-Johnson: 35% early August, 1968

-Nixon: 24% mid-July, 1974, and early August, 1974

-Ford: 37% early January, 1975, and late March, 1975

-Carter: 28% late June, 1979

-Reagan: 35% late January, 1983

-George H.W. Bush: 29% late July, 1992

-Clinton: 37% early June, 1993

-George W. Bush: 37%* mid-November, 2005

Some of those numbers are just staggering aren't they?

Well, W, as I've said, we know YOU CAN DO IT. Lofty, or even shallow goals can be achieved if one sets their mind to it.

Autumn Warmth

And so another week begins.
I hope everyone had a relaxing weekend.

It is difficult to grasp how quickly holidays are approaching. I'm going to have to start doing a bit of shopping and time is fleeting.

If was a beautiful crisp fall day in Boston. The skies were the crystal blue that you can only imagine in dreams, and the air smelled fresh and pure. It was as though each time I inhaled I was breathing new life into my soul. The environment of the season was invigorating and regenerated my well being, burdened of late with the wear and tear of the daily grind.

I enjoyed a pleasant walk with Kate this afternoon. I was relishing the breeze on my face and in my hair. Mindlessly I kicked up dried leaves strewn across the sidewalks and asphalt. I had to resist the urge to go find a pile on someone's lawn and jump into them with a smile upon my face. There won't be too many days here in New England, before the damp, marrow penetrating cold settles in and replaces the warmth of the late season sun.

As each season has its own beauty, we can soon look forward to the falling flakes amongst the sturdy bare branches of majestic oaks and maples. The street lights will cast their halo of warmth into expanses of gracefully descending frozen precipitation. It is a reminder for me of the holidays, family, love, and security.

One of my favorite things to do last year after returning from work was to head into Quincy market to do some Christmas shopping. Unlike the malls of the suburbs the downtown is a bit more sparsely populated mid-week in the winter. In place of the tourists of summer, or the stressed out soccer moms and screaming kids of the suburbs, you see young professionals and older retired couples. The young college kids excitedly think about their purchases as they skip over the rough cobblestones. Young professionals beam excitedly over a gift that only recently they couldn't afford. Their futures are filled with promise, and the outlook seems limitless. Meanwhile refined seniors, elegantly dressed, observe the youth with fond remembrance. They breathe in the proud city of Boston, decked out in its holiday best.

The cold air that burns your skin, only serves to enhance the contrast of security your winter layers provide. The cozy feeling you have walking in your parka and scarf, are merely a fraction of the warmth in your heart. I like shopping here because I like to think, many of the souls milling about are happy just to be basking in the warmth and ambiance.

Normally we are too preoccupied to appreciate the simple things like decorations on the trees and the beauty of nature descending on an urban setting. City life tends to rob people of a friendly gesture without an agenda. On those silent holiday Boston evenings, in the midst of stone and mortar placed by generations past, it isn't unusual to glimpse a smile from a woman you don't know, or catch the twinkle in the eye of an elderly gentleman. This is one of the simple things I look forward to as the inevitable solstice is thrust upon us.

Before I close out, I hope everyone's week gets off to a fantastic start!

Here's my find for the day, enjoy:

Pa. may let hunters use prehistoric weapon

I reckon I'll write more soon... Right know I think I'm going to head into the hills and spear me up tomorrow's grub!

Eats, ice, and violence

Well well... Where to begin,

It was a dark and stormy night,
What? That's really how this begins!
Wednesday Kate and I got together for our ritualistic dinner, and it was a delight as always. Kate was looking quite fetching in her black sweater. We both were rather groggy and semi-coherent due to the grind of our lives, yet we managed to keep our eyes open and our wits about us long enough to eat a nice feast at the Asgard in Central Square. Some spinach and artichoke dip to start out, with sourdough bread, Fish & Chips for me, washed down with a couple Guinesses. For Kate, a Chicken Wrap sandwich, which happens to be one of her favorites. We really milked our time at the pub because it really started to pour once we sat down.

Tonight another night out on the town as I went to a Bruins game with Mr. Michael Caprio. We headed over to Ernesto's in the North End for a couple of slices before the game. Caps had Chicken Parmesan Pizza, myself, I had this ranch sauce pizza with bacon, chicken and tomato slices. It was fabulous, as Ernesto's always is.

It was my first time in the new Boston Garden (Formerly know as the Fleet Center), and my first Bruins game. Unfortunately they really got spanked by Ottawa, shamefully. 5-2 kind of pathetic. But I had a good time anyway. There were a couple typical hockey brawls. Perhaps a few more then you usually see at an NHL game. Probably something to do with the home team being poor losers, but hey, it made for good entertainment. And, get this, I got a complementary plastic Bruins cup with my medium soda. Now if that doesn't make it all worthwhile, I don't know anything at all about value.

This article delivers exactly what it promises.

Iowa woman finds dead turtle in coffee



Wow.. I really don't feel I even need to comment on this because, well, read it and find out :D.

Robertson warns Pennsylvania voters of God's wrath

After Yesterday's attacks in Jordan, It immediately occurred to me how ill thought out most al Qaeda attacks are. The mass transit attacks in the UK, and Spain, were probably the most well conceived, other than the obvious choice of the WTC. I still think the WTC was sheer luck. It was a tall prominent building, and I don't believe for a second that they knew about the economic ramifications it would have.

I say this because al Qaeda just attacked an Islamic country, in which, had they played their cards right, they probably were more likely to find allies. However they attack three prominent hotels, which provide important locations for economic, government, and global trade conferences within Jordan. They are hurting the pockets of the very people they claim to support. And the real kicker, is I think it would have been a bad move on al Qaeda's part if all of the victims were westerners.. but they were for the most part all Jordanian. Al Qaeda just recruited the United States a new ally!

There are many people in the Middle East who sympathize with al Qaeda because they would like to rid themselves of the Western influences. However this latest action goes further to show that they are extremist radicals who have no grasp of reality.

It will be interesting to see if Jordan takes on a larger role than the "training" of the new Iraqi guard, which they have been doing.

Well... I grow weary of the day, and tomorrow is going to be a long one.

TGIF! Or at least it will be when you read this.

Scary stuff

The climate in certain areas of this country is down right frightening. As it turns out we are starting to have more in common with our fundamentalist Islamic foes than we thought. Whether the last recognized profit is Jesus or Mohammed are just details. Details, details.

Kansas school board redefines science

Its difficult to believe that an entire state can be so ruled by an irrational fear of their "faith" being eroded. (Not to mention that little ideal called separation of church and state) It just is so upsetting that such ignorance can be allowed to play such a central role in the legislative processes of a large population in this day and age. People who legislate and dictate these policies must have no faith in God themselves. The idea that a book that is likely over 3000 years old, has been rewritten countless times, and was originally written by multiple different people; the thought that it is the infallible literal word of God is such a dangerous and... Sorry if I offend anyone, it is absurd. The Old Testament is a written translation of tales meant to teach morals and lessons to people. Genesis has roots in pre Judaism, pagan nomadic sects and has been adapted multiple times with small changes (reversal of the order of creation of the sexes.. etc.). The New Testament are gospels which all have contradicting details on the story of Christ. The premise that all of the Bible is right and happened as written is none other than impossible. The idea that people are actually worried that historical evidence, be it scientific or archeological will take away from the legitimacy of a higher power, well... quite simply, these people must not believe in God. I really can't figure it out. Why do these people think it all had to have happened exactly as written?! Why can't they understand that the Bible is a book of interpretations written by man? Do these people actually think that scientists spend all their time in labs with the goal of a conspiricy to destroy God? Why do Science and God have to be at war with one another? My God people!! :D

Are there ultimate truths and right and wrong ways of doing things in this world? Well there are a lot of shades of gray, but universally as a people I think certain things are always wrong (killing, other then self defense; rape; stealing for luxuries etc.). We share so much with all of humanity. The idea that our folk lore... and I'm sorry that is what Genesis is, folk lore. The idea that this must be the literal truth seems so... I don't know, Bronze age? It is a wonderful story that teaches people, children especially, about free will, and consequences of our decisions. Native American cultures and Asian cultures alike have similar stories, but as far as I know, only certain denominations of Christianity (not even Judaism so much... and they are the ones who wrote it to begin with!) seem determined to hold onto the idea that their tale of origin is historically accurate.

We know Christ, Mohammed, Abraham, and Moses existed (yes Buddha too :D) and that their stories have a strong foundation. I have total respect for all faiths. I think they are healthy and beneficial practices to most people in this world. I sometimes wish I was more spiritual.. but I do have faith in the golden rule of treating other people as they would have you treat them. That is what matters as far as I'm concerned, a lot of people who consider themselves religious don't even have that faith or decency. You can give your ten percent your whole life but if you continue living your life for only yourself, I really don't think repeatedly asking for forgiveness is really going to mean squat if we are to be judged by a just deity.

Herpes chick and the Manipulative Media

I'm trying to turn a new leaf by getting into work around 8:30 rather than 9:30. No prodding on the employers part or anything, it is all me. I'm finding my days to be a bit meeting heavy lately so it gives me time to make up for it before they begin. In addition, in theory (This hasn't been the case so far) I should be able to leave earlier. This will offer me the chance to go to the gym, or just go home and vegetate a bit earlier. So hopefully it will be a rewarding effort.

I was watching the Patriots game this evening against the Colts but I gave up somewhere around 21 to 7 in the third quarter. Last time they were down and I stopped paying attention they began doing better. We'll see if this strategy works again.

I bought myself a pizza this evening, and as I was waiting in the shop, I was smiling to myself in anticipation. I was staring out gleefully at Main St. Melrose in anticipation of the sauce, the pepperoni, the green peppers. MMMmmmmm Mmmm!!
Low and behold this woman and some guy walk by as I'm looking out the window grinning. Full eye contact was made and I knew some sort of misinterpretation of my contentment was immediately perceived. Suddenly the woman turned into the store leaving her partner in the street. Immediately fearing the worst I adopt a frown and busy myself continuing to look out the window at some unseen specter. Unfortunately this woman approaches me and begins to talk to me.
Seeing her now I can tell that she's probably ummm... not of the highest echelon of society. Lets just say I was scared before I saw her come in and when I confronted her, I would have much preferred to peel my own face off. Her description really isn't too important. I will point out this, she had a charming batch of Herpes pustules (either that or an extraodinarily precise acne crop) adorning the right corner of her mouth. I swear a couple of them were pulsating.

Any way she just bee-lines to me, mind you there are several people in the restaurant.
She asks me "Do you have a car?"
I was about to ask why... and my wheels slowly cranked and I caught myself.
"I'm not giving anyone a ride" I responded without ever answering her question. I was surprisingly indignant. I was a little proud of myself, but really was doing all I could not to run and hide under a Formica table.
"Oh come on, We just need to go three minutes up the road"
Apparently it was completely lost on her that I was waiting for food, and that I might actually have somewhere to be.
"Nope, sorry, can't help you"
After she exited as quickly as she entered the owner and a patron were staring out the window like she and her friend had just robbed the bank or something.
"What did she want?" Asked the tired Pizza cook, as he paused midway through evenly distributing meatball-halves on the patron's yet to be baked pie.
"Asked for a ride, looks like trouble if you ask me." replies the man scratching his forehead and rustling the thick mop of curly gray hair beneath his green trucker's cap.
"If its just three minutes up the road, why doesn't she just walk?" I thought out loud.
The trouble with me is I either look like I want to kill everyone, or I look naive. Tonight I was obviously looking like the latter. Perhaps they truly just wanted a ride. Perhaps she took that "pizza smile" I was wearing for friendliness that wasn't there. If I was predisposed to the "old granny" train of thought, perhaps they would have bonked me on the head, taken my car and wallet and left me in an alley somewhere. Unlikely... although its almost a sure bet they'd ask for money. Funny since if anything, they should pay me for being a voluntary chauffeur.

As for my daily news links, this one was quite interesting. An article by the Associated Press on the different ways men and women interpret jokes. The article claims men are less discriminating on what is or isn't funny. It must be true, because I was actually laughing while reading the article. I'm quite sure it wasn't written with the intent of humor. At least not the type that makes you snort milk out your nose.

Who is more likely to enjoy a good joke?

Interestingly enough I'd also like to point out the differences in what is being covered by CNN compared to Foxnews. Typically I find the CNN web page to be more professional and just easier to navigate so I use it. Fox seems to have a tabloid element to it, if not just in the wording of its headlines, but even in it's advertisement sponsors. Anyway today I find that Foxnews has more relevant articles for a change. CNN is reporting on a couple of domestic murder cases, as well as a crackdown on a terrorist cell in Australia. I'll give them the latter... I don't read the national news to hear about some murder trial. It doesn't affect me.

Fox is continuing coverage on the riots in France which may or may not be spreading to Belgium, and a few copy-cat cases in Berlin as well? I'm a little miffed by the whole thing since the Police seemed to be just doing their job by chasing the delinquent youth. I don't get why they deny it, it just makes them look weak and more pathetic. In addition to this they are posting an Associated Press article on the next "smaller" rotation of troops to Iraq. I would think reducing the amount of American troops by possibly 40,000 people would be big news, apparently not to CNN.

Smaller Iraq Troop Rotation Announced

Out of curiosity I had to check the often forgotten dinosaur NBC, or MsNBC as it is called on the web. NBC actually is covering all of the bases. The riots and the Australian terror plot are both front and center. In addition there is also an article on looted Iraqi relics not to mention the unexpected drop in gasoline prices.
Bravo NBC, on beating out the two media giants, if not in #s, at least in principle.

Random Links and tiddlywinks

Well looks like I survived another week, now it’s on to another!

I arrived at work at 8:15 this morning and left at 7:30. There is nothing like a good old fashion double digit work day to build character (or destroy it). I definitely need to go in early Monday and get caught up.

This article is precious. I really should run for office. We don’t want vandalism, lets punish them by paying them social security and disability for the rest of their lives. BTW, don’t you think cutting off the index finger might make more sense? After all you don’t use your thumb to press down on that spray paint trigger. Just an observation.

Mayor: Cut thumbs off graffiti 'punks'

Oh this is another good one!

I’m mad as HELL am I’m not going to take it ANYMORE!

How about this link? Since I had my own bat experience this summer, I feel it is relevant. Luckily bats in New England just eat insects, however they can crawl in small places which refutes what this article says about the Vampire bats. I still have virtually no clue how that bat got in my room. I know people worry about their pets getting rabies from bats, however, if bats in this part of the world only eat bugs, how exactly do they contract rabies? Perhaps a survived cat/coyote/fox attack? (seems kind of unlikely doesn’t it?)

Behind the Recent Spate of Vampire Bat Attacks

Here is a classic Forward that I received today.


Official Announcement

The government today announced that it is changing its emblem from an Eagle to a CONDOM because it more accurately reflects the government's political stance. A condom allows for inflation, halts production, destroys the next generation, protects a bunch of pricks, and gives you a sense of security while you're actually being screwed.

Tomorrow I’ll be doing some wonderful laundry in the AM and picking up the pig sty that my apartment has become. Then later I’m supposed to go out with Kate and her friend Jeff. That should be fun, although I have no idea what the hell we’ll do. I guess we’ll just wing it!

Cheers All! Happy Weekend!

Soon there will be snow

Darkness is falling earlier and earlier and winter sets its shroud upon us.

I must admit I am a little leary walking past the methadone clinic next to my work building. It is not unusual to see some unsavory figures out and about. Granted it is essentially right on the edge of the MIT campus, not to mention a hop skip and a jump from Central square. I made the trek all last winter, although somehow I feel a little more threatened by it this year. I have had some interesting run ins with slightly unstable folks on the Subway, however not recently.

Soon my office and lab will be moving to a newly renovated space which will be less out of the way. This can't come soon enough. The only downside is there will now be a cafeteria in my new building. This won't help me keep the reigns on my diet.

Anyway.. Once again I find myself typing this too late. I have to write my entries fresh when I get in the apartment, but I never manage.

Before I check out, I wanted to give "A Shout out" just like all the kiddies do now days. To Jason Potts, the man who by all rights I probably should have died with. Perhaps with some higher intervention we were spared :D. I like to think it was for a greater purpose, because of the profound impact we have on humanity and the souls that cross paths with ours along the way.

I wanted to thank everyone for the feedback they've been giving me!
I admit my last few posts have been a bit lack luster, however I will work at turning that around.

News was for the most part not ground breaking and uncontroversial today. Here are a few gems I found amongst the mix.

Glued to toilet, man sues Home Depot

and, keeping with the theme...

Man sues ex-girlfriend over glue attack


Lastly, riots are always completely idiotic. But in France, wow. So In the U.S., now more than a decade ago we had Rodney King who was treated poorly by police officers, even if he was dangerous. A video clearly showed an excessive beating after he was down for the count. So unruly people used this as an occasion to raise hell, which led to destruction and mayhem. Now in France, a couple of kids, one of them a known felon, ran from the Police when approached. An a streak of sheer brilliance, these kids hid in a high voltage power station, and were killed. Some people in France have decided that this was somehow the Police's fault and so they have begun destroying random property of uninvolved people to protest. Wow.

French Riots

Long day at work and a Phat dinner.

Today was one of those days filled with little problems that end up making you wonder how you managed to run around and end up accomplishing little to nothing. If that isn't enough I have this sense of foreboding that I forgot to do something before I left the lab even though I'm sure I compulsively double checked everything as usual.

I'm extremely tired, and I even have been having a slight tick in my left eyelid, it isn't quite of Thom Yorke proportions yet, however its getting there.

Tonight Kate treated me to dinner at the Phat bar and grill which I previously mentioned. It was quite dead, I hope for their sake business picks up.
Then she directed me to a neat used book (Lorem Ipsum Books) store just outside of Inman square on Hampshire street. I picked up The Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving (

I'm really very anxious. I wanted to accomplish more at work today and I hope I can make up for it tomorrow morning. (sigh)...

The ciderhouse rules, A prayer for Owen Meany) and The Europeans by Henry James. Both books together cost me a massive $4.04.

I think I'll leave this post with a link to an interesting CNN feature:

Advice for W

ARRRGGHHH!!

I think the title of this post sums up just about how I feel about current events.

It was actually quite late when I wrote this so I apologize if it rambles or is difficult to make sense of.

Approximately 3 years ago when Powell was talking to the UN I did not want to go to Iraq. At that point I actually believed, like most Americans, that Saddam was an actual threat. However I thought our policies had stabilized the region. In addition, proponents of the war talked of the possibility of Saddam attacking Israel or other neighbors, when anyone who has any sort of reading skills could research and discover how Saddam's delivery system (Scud arsenal) had been destroyed.

Really at the time, while I thought it was probably a bad idea, the real reason I did not want the war to occur was that I knew America did not have the stomach for it.

As a nation, the cynicism that came with Nixon, Iran-Contra, and a multitude of scandals under Clinton, has permanently altered the psyche of our people. Pre-Vietnam we were willing and ready to fight for causes even if they weren't clearly, directly related to our lifestyle here in America (The Korean, and early on, the Vietnam war). I'm not saying those were necessarily just causes, however a majority believed we were doing the right thing. We went to war, expecting casualties, knowing that things probably wouldn't always go our way. Most historians would unanimously agree, that the politicizing that took place during the Vietnam war ultimately led to increased casualties, lower troop morale, and ultimately creating the stalemate that dissolved any potential for success. Of course in Vietnam it was less cut and dry then Iraq. Saddam was a corrupt dictator and a war criminal. In Vietnam we wanted to prevent communism from getting another foothold, although it seems that a majority of Vietnamese embraced that ideology. Quite the contrary in Iraq, an overwhelming majority wanted Saddam removed.

Anyway I'm beating around the bush... What I want to say is. I knew we would tire of the duties we have. I knew we would at some point, tire of the burden we created. We should not have started a war that we didn't have the guts to see through, especially in this volatile portion of the world.

If we pull out of Iraq, it isn't going to just simmer down like Vietnam. We have created a void of authority. We have created a hot bed for terrorist training camps. If we pull out now, the chaos in Iraq, will pale in comparison to what it could become. The only possible positive aspect for pulling out is those who will die will be exclusively Iraqi citizens and non military visitors, not U.S. soldiers. And since U.S. casualties only make up a fraction of the deaths anyway, it probably won't change too much accept give those causing these problems more power, or hasten the development of a civil war. This could further destabilize the entire middle east, and consequently, the world. Maintaining order here is necessity, there is no alternative.

I'm anti-war, but realistically, we have to finish what we started. Now the democrats are already salivating to use an anti-war bent to try and achieve more power. Combined with the Plame affair, which I still believe will end with Scooter perhaps getting convicted for his perjury (When will these guys learn! Just tell the truth!) the ball is in the democrats court.

The following article discusses the closed session that the Democrats called. It seems to me that they are wasting time doing the "Special Counsel's" job. But of course this is all about public perception. Can that approval rating of W dip below 30%? The democrats made, I believe a savy move in their effort to regain power.

Closed Session

W was clever to appoint an ultra conservative wacko to replace the poorly thought out Miers nomination, because this should be a bit of a distraction. Still it won't be enough. (I see this playing out two different ways... Either Alito slips through the cracks and gets approved because of other distractions, or he gets shot down very quickly, I think it will be one or the other. I don't see it dragging on)

What is really frustrating is that Washington could be cutting spending, working on social security, expanding energy resources, figuring out how to pay for Katrina and other disaster relief. Instead they are busy name calling hoping that they can get America angry enough to disregard their ideologies. Because of this all of us end up suffering from their inaction.

The religious south will not ignore their beliefs, If W was found to have personally paid off the intelligence people to construct fake information, and all of the republicans were in on it too, the senate and house breakdown will still look very similar because that isn't important to Mary Jo-Ellen and Billy bob. All W needs to do is remind people in so many indirect ways how "unchristian" Iraq was and how he wants to change that.

An additional interesting link. This is actually written by Bono of U2 on our duty to combat poverty. It is nice to see an informed celebrity rather than someone spewing hot air. You'll find it very well versed, I think the work he's doing is very admirable and has already made a difference.

U2 lead- Bono commentary