The Debate

It wasn't just you JA, the debate was dull. But dull is ok. For those of us who really do want some substance it was nice not to hear any gotcha lines that repeat for days and days.

McCain had several "gotcha" zingers he tried to get out but his flat-footed delivery took the air out of them.

Good point Yello, the lack of sound bite attacks was not for lack of trying on McCain's part. I attribute it to the PISS contagion.

Thanks, yello. Economics and tax policy is as dull to most people as Joel found the debate to be - and I agree on all counts of dullness. My late wife called me "tedious," rather than dull, but loved me just the same.

SCC- it=flat footed delivery

Excellent piece on the $3 million bear study. Fascinating! And nice to get the rest of the story.

McCain's refusal to look Obama in the eye is on par with Nixon's sweating. And his general cantankerous dodgyness had me constantly asking myself, if we were hiring the CEO of a major corporation, would we be looking at our oldest uncle or our doddering grandpa as a candidate?

Yeah, dull. To me, McCain sounded sort of condescending-Sleasy. The only intelligent words on foreign policy by both candidates , was they didn't want to start another Cold War. Though, their position of lining up with the Saakashvuli Neocon puppet won't help at all.

This morning the interesting news is An american and a Russian ship are heading after a ship hijacked by Somali pirates. The ship is loaded with Ukrainian arms consigned to Kenya.

I read about that yesterday and wondered why someone couldn't lock onto the ship's gps and blow it out of the water. Or, good opportunity for an unmanned drone with remote hellfire capability.

RHY
The crew is held hostage!

Oops! I guess I didn't read it that closely.

I looked around my family room last night to see my husband and kids and me all watching the debate while also live blogging on our respective laptops.... we were so... 21st century!

The kids were on Wonkette and I was switching back and forth between that esteemed (!) site and the boodle. Excellent commentary on both, though much more mature here (is that a good thing?).

But I also felt like we were so wholesomely American. Engrossed in our political system... ready to participate in the democratic process. Son of G gets to vote in his first presidential election. Daughter is paying closer attention than she ever has.

As I'd said previously, I think this was just the early rounds; circling, throwing jabs, looking for openings, evaluating.

Obama may have come off a bit better, but I think that any polling results would have been the same between those that watched with the sound off and the sound on.

bc

While I was listening to the debate, or sleeping or scratching my head, one of my faithful readers snuck in a customer's review on Amazon.
(hehe, veering off Kit):

Kingmaker Crowns Braguine, September 26, 2008
By J. Maryott (United State of Texas) - See all my reviews

Not normally being a fan of this type of novel, consider it high praise when I say that it truly is a diamond in the rough.

Suspense, action, humor, and plot twists are masterfully brought together by Braguine's witty writing style. I doubt anyone could read this book without stirring their sense of adventure.

Read but the first chapter, and you will find it very hard to put down :D
* * *
(tippy-toeing into the bunker and taking spit-proof cape out of the locker)

i appreciated craig ferguson's rant about democracy first. thanks to whoever posted that clip. l.a. times has a funny overview of the late night show takes on mccain. if you haven't seen some of them, the clips of the instances mentioned from stewart, colbert, ferguson and letterman are all worth tracking down.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-late-night-politics-pg,0,1153674.photogallery

I would like to see Obama provoke McCain by bringing up the Keating 5 scandal, but I'm not sure how it would be perceived by the country at large. Would he be viewed as being mean to McCain? I can't get over thinking what the Republicans would do if they had McCain's mishaps to use against Obama. Finishing bottom of class. Crashing five jets in 9 years. Dumping wife for rich socialite. Keating 5 censure for "poor judgement."

You are SUCH a naughty boy, Brag!
http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=1141

Obama directly provoking McCain over failed marriage, doggie behavior, is not going to happen from out of Obama's mouth. That's the job of the dems' various minions. And the Keating Five were mostly dems, so I doubt Obama wants to go there.

I want a well-rounded speaker who can bluster like an orator, yet also speak quietly and earnestly like McCain tries to do, and is most successful at. McCain is not a good shouter. In contrast, Obama is a great shouter (inspirational speaker - he inspires me) yet also is good when he tones it down to a more intimate conversation. He does have a tendency to "talk AT" people, but he also seems aware of it, and works on improving it. He's just not there yet! Plus, Obama still acts like a candidate rather than an executive. McCain would pull this aspect off better, except he is often too tired-seeming or flat in affect as the psych people might put it.

Overall, it appeared Obama had a touch of fatigue compared to normal, and McCain had a tiny pep pill, compared to normal.

That was a totally non-substantive collection of observations I just made. Can I get a job on TV now?

I was startled to hear McCain talking about the $3 million bear study again. Sure, it was expensive and science money is typically best allocated through administrative/peer review processes. But that study looks pretty useful to me.

But how could the government's response to the fiscal crisis be so boring? Maybe the debate organizers should have posted a giant poster of Gary Larson's cartoon showing a goldfish contemplating its bowl, which is in flames. And maybe one of Bear #8, too.

McCain's shopworn "jokes" didn't do so well because his delivery was terrible, he's used them over and over, and the audience wasn't allowed to make noise, even if they wanted to (which they may not have because of reasons one and two). I could not believe he mentioned bears in Montana again. If Joel had a nickel for every time McCain does that...it is a great excuse to read his column on that subject (atlmom, if you haven't seen it yet, take a look).

frosti, I concur with your take on the tax policy. Someone did a study on the taxes in the red versus the blue states. The blue states, being more populated, urban, and prosperous see more of their taxes going to the red states. A bit ironic, no?

I had a whole rant ready to post about the evils and vapidity of large corporations, but whacked it because Joel keeps putting the Kit before the Boodle and I wasn't quick enough to click "Submit" before he did.

Glad to see our Cassandra getting some airtime (or whatever they call it on the intarwebs).

I don't know if this is funny or scary, but Little Bean has decided she's for McCain. She's only six, so her "vote" won't count, but she's only backing him to get my goat (or pull my donkey tail, me being a Dem). Little Stinker. She's lucky she's so darn cute.

Paul Newman has died. :-( I knew it was coming from boodle comments a while back. He was a class act. Boo hoo and sympathies to his family and adoring fans. I love his salad dressings too. (and of course his last name...)

i was yelling at the tv last nite as well - mccain kept talking about greed and i'm like "dude! you have 9 houses!" how greedy is THAT! he stuttered, his tie was awful and kept jumping around cuz of the lines, he looked uncomfortable and he kept messing up ppls names...
i loved it when obama called him JIM! HAHAHAHA
ok - even if i wasn't supporting obama - which i am - i thought he did a great job - he was cool, confident and collected. to ME, he kept to the issues and knew what he was talking about while mccain just kept accussing obama for that earmark and mentioning reagan - i like that obama said trickle down economics doesn't work and that's what got us in this economic mess...

that being said - this is the first EVER pres debate i've ever seen - never been interested before...

and what the hell does Ireland have to do with us? how many of our businesses have been outsourced to ireland? i'd like a number... aren't we outsourcing to india?

The world has lost an outstanding Nutmegger thespian--and, like me, a person with deep Hungarian roots.

Joel writes "I'm watching a soccer match that's scoreless deep into the second half."

Not the way I play soccer. In our game Thursday night, we lost 6-0. The reason we lost 6-0 is that running rings around folks can wear you out, so the opposing team took it easy in the second half. We got one solid shot on goal, by a pick-up player who was leaving from having played a game on the same field preceding our match. Sadly, he was called for offsides. Fortunately, we are playing this game for fun.

aw man! paul newman! one of my fav movies is "sweet bird of paradise" - he was SUCH a hunk!

Hi, mo! The jobs to Ireland point was discussed a bit in the previous boodle - a lot of techie jobs have gone there. But I'm not sure what percentage, as compared to jobs outsourced to India, for instance. Ireland's become a great success story, but I'm not sure it's all due to their corporate tax rate - or how useful it is to compare their economy to ours.

I thought Barack was referring to Jim Lehrer (the moderator)...thought the bracelet moment was a bit awkward for Barack because he stumbled over the soldier's name - but I was glad to hear him make the point that no American soldier dies in vain. I get so tired of hearing that we have to stay in a war till we "win".

Thanks for the link to the story in the Charlotte Observer, slyness.

I guess one of my biggest surprises is that Wachovia could be in talks with a bank in Spain! Wells Fargo out on the West Coast would be an interesting partner. I even read that a blogger at the NYT, since the article at the NYT about Wachovia was open to comments, speculate that if Wachovia merged with Citibank, then the new entity would be called "Citchovia!"

Financial wizard I defintely am not, so as much as I seem to be behind the populist sentiment (You're intend to do what with taxpayers' monies?), I can't help but notice the detail in the Wachovia reporting that Wachovia seems to be hinging it hopes on Congress' bailout package, if Wachovia is to survive on its own.

What my husband and I have speculated this morning is that World Savings/Golden West honchos Herb and Marion Sandler certainly got out at the right time, making a bundle in the process by the sale of World Savings to Wachovia. We secondguess ourselves (as we did this morning) about whether Loomispouse should have taken the severance package when it was offered...

I was satisfied just to see the two of them debating matters of substance. We are in serious doo-doo right now, and I like the fact that they didn't make it into a debate over who sighs, what horrific dangers the other guy will bring upon us in 40 years, and so on. McCain emphasized years of experience, which is his greatest strength; Obama emphasized commitment to thoughtful deliberation responding to present events, which is his strength. He didn't let McCain get away with "inaccurate" statements, but he didn't have to get into the gutter and personally attack him as a liar in order to contradict McCain forcefully. I missed the bear reference, however -- I must have nodded off during that part (it was late, and I had a couple glasses of wine in me).

I heard the bear reference, but had no idea what he was talking about, especially when he mentioned paternity, until I read about it here. Sounded like senile ramblings.

DNA

Hahahahahahahaha!!!

Lots of good stuff in the backboodle. Brag oversleeps worse than me!

The bear research I will regard as roughly on par with the (Alaska)crab reproduction research: any region's ecosystem affects their local economy a lot more than citified folks comprehend. Obama's remarks that earmarks pale in comparison with other problems is an inconvenient truth. Compared to multi-billions spent on what's termed "the largest war profiteering in history." (Bushco)

Whatever happened to the "D.E.W." line? It became the "North Warning System" aka "Systeme D'Alerte Du Nord" with its own cool shoulder patch!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Warning_System

Let me get this straight-- Old Yeller and Obama were on TV last night for a bark-off at bears, and Jim was there?

One of my favorite Jims?

Dang. The gnome went to bed early, so I never saw or heard anything.

I expected a debate but all I got was alternate sound bites of their wornout stump speaches.
Hope the VP debate has a little more fire.

I kinda wish Obama had briefly called out McCain on the bear study. You know, at least point out that he, Obama, actually bothered to find out what the true purpose of the DNA testing was. Of course, this might have been viewed as a diversion.

bh - I think the VP debate will have fire. And an earthquake, flood, and possible visitation by locusts.

Isn't it always good when Padouk shows up? Yes, it is.

VP debate? Let's feed them some brandy, then we can have a VSOP debate. I hate the idea of going through another hohum fest.:(

My 2 sons, 11 and 6 agree with Joel about the debate. "This is sooooo boring, all they talk about is numbers."

I did get a good laugh when McCain mentioned da Bears in Montana.

But the only thing that shocked me about the debate was when Obama mentioned the goal of capturing and killing Bin Ladin. Eek! I think that the talk of killing a specific individual on national TV by a presidentual candidate is anything but prudent.

If Obama sticks to his professionalism though, I expect him to walk into the White House. I don't think cheap shots on his part will do him any good. I do expect McCain to resort to throwing dirt after Palin shows her colors in Thursday's debate and the polls start showing the republican ticket slipping in the mudslide.

If the election is all about issues though, as most people say they want, it's going to be real dull from here on out. Who wants that?

Hee hee, brag. and yes indeedy, RD, there are all kinds of possibilities for the Veep debate.

We finally acquired the Boy an Obama T-shirt today. He's very pleased. You have to really hunt around here to find Obama merchandise locally; we're going to the other store we know about on Monday. At least he can wear his without getting beat up at school, unlike a friend of his whose school is in one of the original white-flight suburbs (it has grown past that and is now a legitimate suburb but some of us have long memories).

I sincerely hope CP is here during the VP debate to broadcast the visuals.

Me, too, DandyLion, I thought that was a very helpful perspective. Also, I second yellojkt's thanks to Shiloh for the truly informed posts. I like to think I have some grasp of this stuff but I don't know the numbers at all.

I didn't watch the debate. At this point, I know who I'm voting for so I finished my book instead (a book recommended by kbertocci some time ago- A Voyage Long and Strange, an absolutely fascinating book) Four years ago I watched John Kerry beat GWB like a drum in those debates (IMHO) and still GWB won, so I just can't watch anymore, it's not good for my heart.

Ivansmom - this is my son's favorite shirt, although he's taken some guff for it.
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp;jsessionid=979F3F74E7378D9D3D8B1028DA536D9A.app12-node6?itemdescription=true&itemCount=10&id=13980156&parentid=M_APP_TEESSHORT_POLITICAL&sortProperties=+product.marketingPriority,-product.startDate&navCount=56&navAction=poppushpushpush&color=

We live in a very red area. He comes home from school and tells me what some kids in his HS say about Obama and it's enough to make your hair stand on end. I did notice that the Young Democrats club is larger than the Young Republicans club, so I take that as a good sign.

atlmom, 2.5% of all workers are paid at or below minimum wage. There's also 5.5% unemployment overall, last I heard. Many states have state minimum wage laws that are higher than the Federal minimum wage ($7.25-8.15 range), so we must assume that more people would make 5.15 a hour if states didn't pass those laws.

Also, neither figure covers part-time employees who may make more than minimum wage per hour, but still less than the federal poverty guidelines. This number may be much higher than realized. There is 66% unemployment among all disabled people (some groups more than others). Not all who are employed, are able to get nor keep full-time jobs. Therefore, their annual income may be as low or lower than full-time minimum wage pay.

http://www.bls.gov/cps/minwage2005.htm

The situation is worse for those who are unemployed. SSI pays much less than 1/2 of minimum wage on average.

There are a lot of issues involved with "helping people", and one of them is you need their cooperation. You can't just decide one day to help people and do so. You need to find them, identify their needs, and come up with a plan they agree with, and then put it in practice.

People often don't want to be helped by their local community,as they already have a high social debt and much smaller social networks than average, and they know they're vulnerable to predation if they publicize their vulnerablity too much. For a large number of them, their main help comes from schools, vocational rehabilation, and public transit programs that takes their needs in consideration. They still have their own problems to solve daily, just like you do.

As for private charity help-- three problems often exist in depending on those: underqualification in social issues, ideological propganda, and/or predation.

You can't say state governments are instantly better than the federal government. DO you really know who's in charge in your state? A lot of them will be idiots who don't know or care about the constitution. A look at some state laws passed in the last 100 years will open your eyes-- from involuntary sterilization, miscegnation laws, breed-specific legislation, just to name a few.

I think an imperfect safety net for those who always fall through the cracks of society is nowhere as outrageous as military and government contract profiteering by companies such as Halliburton.

Governmental programs often ARE aware of problems that the average taxpayer is not aware of. The average private "expert" may only see, say, 15 examples of a rare problem in his lifetime. Specialized programs may handle thousands of those problems. Yet, because of confidentiality issues, you're going to be hearing more from those private "experts" than you'll from the people working in those programs.

Now, I'm like anybody else. I don't want to spend my time worrying about all the problems of society. That's why I like paying taxes for social programs just fine, as long as I can also vote for accountability and see corruption punished without punishing those who need the help.
I don't like the idea of people thinking they are somehow so altruistic that they will fund all that has to be done, if ONLY they had the choice to do so instead of paying taxes to a hated government. I don't know many people who actually do.

Yeah Ivansmom, you know I don't read newspapers, publications, and rarely have the TV turned on. In fact, I had to get my son to set the TV up for me just to watch the debate. The boodle has virtually become my eyes to the outside world.

In a few minutes I'm going to attempt to install an extra hard drive into my computer. Easy enough, but doing it with my eyes closed is a significant challange. If you don't hear from me this weekend, you'll know I screwed it up.

Tree report

Trees litter in cold;
Moist dark soil and grass exhale
In sharp breeze off lake.

Wind report

Wind blowing smooth like
Baby-eyed jazz musicians
Twirling their saxes

Sky report

Lake mirrors the sky;
Sky echoes the blue right back
Ad infinitum

Wilbrodog, I've been holding out on you, but I want you to know that there is an addition to my family. After almost 10 years, I caved, and now I have a floppy eared, tail waggin', sloppy tongued canine sitting right next to me as I type. I got her from a rescue 8 weeks ago, she's about 9 months old and needs lots of training.

Thanks for the sky report. Lately I've getting them on my way to work by a guy that sells newspapers on a corner, calls me "my friend", sounds just like McCain, and walks me across a DC intersection on my way to work.

Looks like I'm done backing up my data. Time to pull the plug...

Of course I'm here! (Oh, no one asked?)

DandyLion - Let me know how it goes. I bought one (extra hard drive) a couple of months ago 'cuz it was on sale, and it's been sitting where it is right now (about eight inches from my feet) ever since. Sigh. I'm so glad that I've become comfortably accustomed to my own lethargy over the years. Otherwise, I might be plumb annoyed with myself.

Nice kit, JA. You said what I kind of thought, but was too chicken to say.

Shiloh

I enjoy your posts a lot. I don't have a clue about the economics of the country or anything else. And I'm a big fan of learning something new.

Hello, Bob S. You're early?

If every weekend is backup weekend, every moment is backup moment. Don't forget to back up!

Once upon a time, a man bought a baseball team, talked the citizenry into buying a new stadium, and then cashed out. Made a tidy profit, he did.

Carry on.

Yes, DandyLion (and good luck with that hard drive), I know you mean it more literally than I do but in some ways the Boodle is my first source of information as well. I probably should worry more about that than I do.

Hey atlmom, thanks for starting and sticking with such a good discussion thread. The one thing I think comes clear through the whole thing is that nobody is happy with the current tax system, everyone thinks it is unfair somehow or other, and everyone thinks there should be some minimum level of social network. Whoops, that was three. You see why I'm better at the policy than the numbers in these discussions.

The Boy loves the shirt, Kim. Thanks.

Sounds just like me as a pup, Dandylion!

The training, most definitely. It's great to go to school with other dogs, but there are lots of ways to train sense into a dog.

I suggest lots of walks with company and sitting on benches and soaking up the world-- preferably over a shared hot dog.

Retrieve work ON command is always good when you can't quite figure out where something went to, too.

Another good Newman article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092701440.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR

I enjoy reading Stephen Hunter, but the Post is showing how thinly spread its copy editors are. "They actually hire a posse of professional manhunters to ride he and the Kid down." Sigh.

My mother has always had a thing for Paul Newman. At least she did until my parents saw "Mr. and Mrs. Bridge." A good movie, which they enjoyed very much, but Newman's character and mannerisms in that movie could have been based directly on my grandfather. My mother was quite distressed to recognize her father in the person of her blue-eyed idol.

A lotta smoke about smoke in the movies...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080924192435.htm

Life with boys can be interesting. I just walked up to my cousin's. His teenage son, two of his friends, and the Boy have been using a videocamera to make some English project for the teenagers. Today they broke open a watermelon with a sledgehammer, then under my cousin's supervision they set it on fire. How, you ask, do you burn a watermelon? By dousing it with gasoline! They went out to the gravel road, lots of open space, and the grownup made an ignition trail going to the watermelon. It was actually a trifle anticlimatic, as the gravel burned much better and longer. I think they should try it with a jack-o-lantern pumpkin in October: fill the jack-o-lantern with straw, so when the trail hits the outside, the inside goes up too. A good time was had by all.

Without being tedious on the subject, this will clarify Wilbrod's post with actual minimum wages, both federal and state by state. Find your state:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_minimum_wages

Unemployment recently rose to just above 6%, but it's important to remember that the Dept of Labor does not count those unemployed who have exhausted their unemployment insurance benefits and who are not actively looking for work or those who have taken part-time or lesser jobs (underemployment).

I guess I am being tedious after all, so I'll continue. (My thanks to Ivansmom and Cassandra for echoing yello - you may regret it.)

Lower state rates apply when the job is with a company grossing less than $500,000 and not engaged in interstate commerce. Lower rates also apply for agricultural (including migrant labor) and tip supported service jobs (waiters/waitresses, etc.) in many states. So, always tip your server in Florida and note that they must report those tips so that payroll taxes can be withheld.

Finally, Wilbrod is absolutely correct about disability payments being less than federal minimum wage and are, in fact, below the poverty level. But it is also true that the vast majority of retired Social Security recipients without additional income also receive benefits below the poverty level. SS recipients who reach the age of 72, including triple-dippers like John McCain, do not have limitations on their earned income, but those SS recipients who have incomes including SS at $25,000 or more are required to pay income taxes on the 50% of SS benefits that reflect the part paid by their previous employers. That should help many of you plan for your retirement taxes.

That wasn't tedious to me, Shiloh. Thanks for explaining what "unemployment statistics" actually do reflect. Since I have _never_ filed for unemployment insurance, I wouldn't have ever shown up in those statistics despite periodic bouts of unemployment that have lasted longer than anybody would want. Therefore, this is only a partial, and easily manipulated picture of the actual state of the American worker.

My overall impression of the last 8 years is that underemployment has increased in a lot of places along with cost of living.

But then, too, I've been in the workforce since before I was 16. And my retirement plan was "work until I die."

And, alas, I will never be able to stand behind Paul Newman in an ice cream store, waiting to order and pay for a triple-scoop mint chocolate cone -- and then put it into my purse when I recognize that it actually was *him* in front of me. That, apparently, was a true story for someone (not me).

When I was working in Sweden, someone had a huge poster of Newman attached to the outside of his cube. It was all in black and white, except for those bluest of the blue eyes. I blew him a kiss every time I walked by. And, now, again from afar. Nice to have had him around.

Blogalumphagus

Newman's eyes made me suspect he was a Fremen. I loved "The Sting" and still play the Scott Joplin ragtime music from the film. The New Orleans funeral dirge transition to a celebration of life is a favorite scene.

Hmm. We can say it, now.

I always tip, and tip well.

When I was bussing tables, I got paid 1.25 a hour (I think this still applies), and shared in the tips from the waiters. On good nights I'd go home with 25 bucks' of tips in my pocket from 4 hour's work. 7.50 a hour on average. But not all shifts were good. Them are the breaks. The restaurant I worked at folded later, another casuality of brutal math.

I was reading up on the restaurant biz back then, and the average profit margin is 1-4%. One glass broken ($1), and the restaurant has to sell 25-100 bucks worth of food to make enough profit to cover that.

Which must make running family restaurants a special kind of hell. Later through a friend, I found that many ethnic restaurants will employ undocumented immigrants or immigrants not appproved to work.

This is because of our current visa system, which binds an immigrant to have a business sponsor them for a visa. They cannot change employers while a visa is pending.

A business CAN promise a job and a visa and then refuse to follow through, in effect leaving an immigrant in the situation of now working illegally or finding the money for fare home. There is no penalty to a business for revoking an job offer, and they depend on the immigrants fear of being caught to keep their employment deals secret.

These illegal immigrants then are effectively paid very little, which little they send home. I have personally seen a house in Fairfax (some years ago) house 20 men who were all employed at restaurants locally-- and they were all illegal immigrants (or working illegally). That restaurant was later raided, I think, and closed.

Ivansmom, last week my teenaged son asked if he could make a flash-bomb out of non-dairy creamer. I told him he had to get into college first.

Be strong, Joel. Be strong.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092701951.html

RD, at least your son asked permission!

Yes, Fifty, I do take solace in that. And I don't mind helping him do stuff like this. I watch Mythbusters. (And not just to see Kari Byron.)

My concern is that once you start down that slippery slope of recreational pyrotechnics it can be difficult to stop. When I was in college I saw what could happen when you always go for the bigger boom.

I would say more but I'm fuzzy about that whole "statute of limitations" bit.

University of Michigan finally won -- and over Wisconsin. Now I can concentrate on something else for a minute or two.

Wilbrod, I really liked your 2:41 PM post. So true...not every citizen understands what's best for them...of course my arch-right-winged brother who works for the Heritage Foundation (I still love him) would say after hearing that statement..."you're a communist!"

I am so happy...finished planting my spring bulbs and getting ready for my vacation to Cabo San Lucas which has been planned for 6 months. And because I automatically get 50 hrs of PTO from my new job from day one I am taking a paid vacation. I truly don't mean to gloat... but hey, I worked hard for this!

Fremen, now that's a word I hadn't seen since high school. I obsessed over the first two books, then got sidetracked by LeCarre.

eidrib

Say hello for me to Squidrow. Hehe.
Some of the best clams in the world are found in Cabo. There was an inexpensive restaurant about 3 blocks from the marina that served them to perction (raw).

Enjoy yourself. :-)

bea c.

Nothing wrong with geting sidetracked by LeCarre. He's my guru.

And his definition of a communist is, Eidrib?

I sometimes read Heritage foundation stuff--certainly interesting, and I'm sure he is a colorful person in his way.

yes, LeCarre and Follett, and a few others, made me dream of being an Israeli secret agent. I would be a veterinarian who left her patients in a trusted friend's hands as she went to battle the evil enemies of Jews everywhere...

I had planned on going to Israel to serve in the army w/ a couple of friends from camp. My mom swore that she'd NEVER go visit me there, and I caved in. I think things worked out for the better.

Quick, what desperation move does a TV series make to eke out one last season after jumping the shark? There are only three options: take the show to Hawaii for a 2 part episode, bring on a new wise acre 8 year old, or have a wedding!

Looks like the McCain camp is going for option three.
In an election campaign notable for its surprises, Sarah Palin, the Republican vice- presidential candidate, may be about to spring a new one — the wedding of her pregnant teenage daughter to her ice-hockey-playing fiancé before the November 4 election.

"Inside John McCain’s campaign the expectation is growing that there will be a popularity boosting pre-election wedding in Alaska between Bristol Palin, 17, and Levi Johnston, 18, her schoolmate and father of her baby. 'It would be fantastic,' said a McCain insider. 'You would have every TV camera there. The entire country would be watching. It would shut down the race for a week.'"

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4837644.ece

SCC- " should have started with "In an election campaign....

Promoting marriage for teenagers - there is an interesting platform. Sure Palin isn't a Stage Mom not a Hockey Mom?

no, no Frosti, that was perfect.

Those poor kids...

Last night McCain said that Eisenhower wrote a letter offering his resignation if the D-Day invasion failed. Eisenhower's letter doesn't say that. It says:

"Our landings in the Cherbourg-Harve area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air, and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone."

He accepts blame, but doesn't offer to resign.

But haven't the Palin's asked for the media to butt out of their kids lives. Wouldn't that mean that the wedding would be off-limits too. Wouldn't the Palin's want a very small, private affair like the Bush girl's. Right?

(loads of sarcasm here)

I guess Bristol is lucky she's not close enough to her due date that they'd induce labor in time to have a newborn bump going into election day.

Back from a busy but fun afternoon/evening despite the weather.

A quick PL Newman story:
Paul owned several successful pro racing teams - and in fact his estate still does.

When I actively covered racing part time during the mid-90s, I met Paul a few times in passing, he was pretty reserved (as I'd mentioned in the previous Kit), but quite gracious.

Anyway, when I ran into him, his team was not having a good weekend. So to break the ice, I asked him about a car he used to have in the late 80s.

Paul lived in Connecticut but liked his anonymity, so he drove a Volvo wagon, just like his neighbors. But Paul being Paul, couldn't just wheeze around town in a 4 cyl (even a turbo) so he had a torque-monster turbocharged Buick V-6 from a Grand National stuffed under the hood, which was *the* bad@ss engine at the time.

He told me he liked the car, but that it wasn't well sorted and not as fast as he'd like. Then I think I saw that famous gleam in his eyes shoot out through his sunglasses (I don't think I ever saw him in the paddock without them), and he told me, "But I'm buildin' one with a supercharged 5 liter (a Ford V-8 used in Mustangs of the time) that oughta *fly,*" then he flashed me that smile, just for a second.

We chatted about his team and drivers and the race weekend, but I never saw *the* Gleam again, or the smile.

bc

Forgot to add - how 'bout them Terps?

Could they be ranked this week?

bc

Sorry if I'm the last person in the world to have seen this video, but just in case any of you missed it, this is the top hit if you search YouTube for Obama Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY

But if that's not inspiring enough you can watch Sarah and the Wasilla Singers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNVuuhurbZA

I'm bushed. Literally.

But the two five month old boys are in the bed and asleep. It was an ordeal, but we got them fed and into pajamas and down. Their mother told us to feed them at 8:30 and then put them down. At 8:10 I had had all the screaming and walking I could stand and we fed them then and there.

Whew! There is a reason God gives babies to young people.

The majority of the people who would go ga-ga over Palin’s daughter’s wedding wouldn’t be Obama voters anyway, so it’s just silliness to get the poor thing hitched so quickly.

Speaking of weddings, I had to make a trip to that big Swedish store this morning on a hunt for bowls to use as centerpieces for #2’s wedding. We’ve been searching everywhere. I had never been to that store and all I can say is wow. I was very impressed with the layout, making you walk through everything to get to where you want to go, so I saw all the stuff I’d want to go back to investigate further. I did find the perfect bowls and the price was decent, got 12 of them and can’t wait to go back.

#2 is a bit upset about the progress and the long term prognosis of her knee. She will never be able to run again. She might need a knee replacement sooner or later and she might always have a limp. She’s always been athletic and is having a very hard time accepting all of this. She’ll probably need to use her cane at the wedding and who knows how long she’ll be able to wear her high heeled shoes. Of course if I don’t get the dress hemmed (I’m working on it but there’s a lot of layers and it’s slow going), maybe no one will notice that she’s barefoot.

It’s been a long day, left here at 10, got back at 5:30, and it’s been pouring rain most of the day and night. A friend of “S”’s is coming at 8 am tomorrow to go to breakfast with us at a newly reopened favorite spot right up the street. It burned down a few years ago before we moved here. I have a story about the owner, but I won’t get into it now. I’ll just say that if it wasn’t for this guy coming over, you couldn’t drag me to this restaurant no matter how good it may be. I have principles but I also have manners.

Frostbitten--
Okay, that is just...
sociopathic in sheer chutzpah.

And like, I am not so watching this wedding, not even if they have 10 moose waltzing in ballet slippers and ribbons as entertainment, along with 11 magicians vanishing, and 12 giglios a-leaping.

I most certainly will not watch even if they have a regular old county fair celebration including greased-piglet (or pitbull) catching contest and sack racing and fireworks and all that homespun voter appeal. I definitely will hurl the TV across the room if they try and hold the Miss Teen Alaska beauty pageant as part of the wedding.

In short, ew. Couldn't McCain just get married again if he really has this need for romance right before er- election day? It's not as though he hasn't done it before.

Bad Sneaks when she is ready, perhaps biking or swimming? She can connect with runner buddies with relay tri-athelons. My running days are over and I recall that sadness. But biking is so fast! There is fun in speed.

Who cares about the Palin kid's wedding? Not me - I doubt very much many other people will care either. Oh, maybe they could schedule it for Oct 2, so Sarah would have an excuse not to debate. Bah.

Must go check bank account, see if it's still there...

D.E.W. Line? Did I miss a disscussion about the D.E.W. Line?

I know little about what they did at the station, but if you look at the list of now closed stations, you will find reference to CFB Dana, which was just down the road from my home. The three radar domes went under cover when I was quite small, and became forever known as the Golf balls.

After the base was closed, its hilly stony native prairie grasses went full circle and supported a herd of bison and IIRC, they are still there.

wow, a wedding would be taking the campaign strategy of distraction to a whole new level. if it happens, it'll happen after the veep debate. mid to late october. yeah, that's a good strategy. country first.

And to think a few columnists called McCain on being a drama queen BEFORE this stunning display of delicate strategy.

I wonder why?

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/09/drama-queen-mcc.html

http://www.slate.com/id/2200580#dramaqueen

http://www.jedreport.com/2008/09/drama-queen.html

I've been watching a lot of HBO lately to justify the expense. Bill Maher started FreeLevi.org to release the person he is calling America's biggest political prisoner.

http://freelevi.org/Real_Time_with_Bill_Maher.html

Also Chris Rock had a special tonight. Not for the faint of heart.

TBG and SoTBG,
I was also live blogging on Wonkette. I got a few zingers in. Not anything politically correct enough to cross-post over here.

Yes CP, biking is the main option although she is also a good swimmer. I will mention the relay tri-atheons, I didn’t know they had those! She just needs time to adjust and come to accept her limitations. I do feel her pain as I can’t run either (hip replacement), not that it was ever a favorite thing for me, but knowing you ‘can’t’ do something always makes you miss it more at first.

Wilbrod, that was funny and I completely agree with you. Although I think I’d just hurl - period. Heaven help us if they win! The next four years could be more ruinous than the last eight, as impossible as it is to think on.

Bad Sneaks,
So sorry to hear about your daughter's knee. My boss dinged hers up real bad when she was young and got the full knee replacement this year at the age of 48. Her only fear is that they claim to have a 20 year life on them, so she may need a replacement eventually.

Did anyone else notice all the crazy blinking that McCain was doing? Was he also sending his debate messages via Morse Code? And Obama stuttered quite a bit.

Bayou Self-I thought McCain did a lot of blinking and his eyebrows looked a bit strange. My overall impression was that he looked like Tim Conway, but not nearly as funny-even when he was trying.

I'd rather somebody who stutters on words, not on his thoughts.

Who knew there were so many high quality pro-Obama songs out there-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVi4rUzf-0Q

Hi, Bayou Self! Hope the hurricane didn't hit you too hard.

Obama does hem and haw a bit. I didn't notice McCain blinking - I was hypnotized by his tie, and when I could look at his face he had the 100 yard stare going.

Wilbrod, if you're ever unemployed again, go apply for the benefits. It won't make you rich, but it's more than nothing. And it ain't state-funded charity -- it's insurance, you've paid your premiums, and you're entitled to it. At least that's how it works here in CA.

Thanks for the link to the video, frosti. It's quite moving. I knew that I had heard it before - but had forgotten the Bono connection, not to mention the American Idol connection:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Prayer_(Bono_song)

Here's part of what Bono had to say at the Clinton Global Initiative meeting:
"I am not qualified to comment on what has happened in the last week where this city has changed shape, certainly psychologically, and in terms of some people's wallets. And I'm not qualified to comment on the interventions that have been put forth. I presume these people know what they're doing. But it is extraordinary to me that you can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can't find $25 billion to save 25,000 children who die every day of preventable, treatable disease and hunger."

evening or morning all
just got home after a foggy commute home. The air here has gotten very tropical I would say,it is warmer now then when i left for work at 2pm. we have had a good bit of rain and all of the frogs were jumping across the road tonight. i picked up an oldies station on my ride home and heard a couple of great old tunes
"under the boardwalk" "Changes in attitudes,changes in latitudes" andd This one from Comander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen,also check out the LP Lost in the Ozone

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iTTUyTCLa54&feature=related

It was a cool ride home,I noticed my headlight on high beams was pointing up to the trees,I guess in case I spot any owls up there(spotted owls)

I loved all the upsets in college football and glad the Terps came back to beat Clemson.

Time to chill,it will be nice to have the next 2 days off.

A long time ago (when the Earth was green, and there was more kinds of animals...) Cassandra asked how the Wall Street meltdown might actually affect those of us who aren't heavy market players. I hope that the recent discussions have helped explain that. If not, I'm willing to take a shot, although I'm willing to hazard a guess that others here are both more competent and more lucid.

I've been trying to avoid this, but:

Official notice - Beginning (more or less) 00:01 a.m. Wednesday, Oct 1, it's my intention to become a non-smoker. For the relatively few of you who've ever met me, you'll understand that this won't come easy. If I remember correctly, I should be seeing some of you the following weekend. You have my permission, and even encouragement, to chide me (gently, please!) if you see me toking the weed.

I realize that I'm gonna die eventually, but I've decided that I'd like to stop coughing so much along the way!

Good luck stopping smoking, Bob. I know personally how tough it is (I had a really bad cold that weaned me off cigarettes - and I smoked only about a half pack a day at the time, and had been cutting back). Mr Ml has tried repeatedly - he's had some success using nicotine patches. So - hope you find a way that works for you!

Joel has an article that explains the interconnectedness of our economy:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702587.html?hpid=topnews
Earlier today, it sounded like lots of folks weren't getting it - and telling Congress not to bailout Wall St. Seems to me we have to do something, or the consequences will be dire. Hope they've figured out a way to do that.

mlurk - Past experience counsels that I should be only faintly optimistic. On the other hand, I've never enlisted the entire community of my friends, coworkers, neighbors, an cofrienfs

Wow! That was really not finished, eh? Here's the rest:

... and co friends as a posse to keep me honest, and I've only once before had a pal quitting at the same time who really cared about the outcome.

Bob, good luck with the smoke-out. I've watched my husband struggle with that for decades. He's currently doing relatively well, with the help of the nicotene patches. But all my experience says the community support is key. You need both: an unshakeable commitment and a group of people supporting you and holding you accountable. Then you need to be able to forgive yourself if there is a slip-up and not think in terms of "all or nothing" -- like, I blew it, it's hopeless, (so that's an excuse to hurl myself back into the habit and wallow in my failure and self-loathing).

Weight Watchers slogan: "Success is getting up just one more time than you fall down." AA slogan: "One day at a time."

I recently read "The Night of the Gun" -- journalist David Carr's account of his drug addiction and recovery process. I don't understand addiction--I think nobody does--but I do believe that all addiction is one psychological phenomenon, we just have different "drugs of choice." Even food or sex, although they have a different dynamic, can be addictions and the recovery process is similar.

Here's a passage from Carr's book:

"...Eden House was brimming with slogans. This was the main one: 'The answer to life is learning to live.' We would say that, loudly and with a great deal of emotion, at the conclusion of each group meeting.

"This is the point where the knowing, irony-infused author laughs along with his reader about his time among the aphorism, how he was once so gullible and needy that he drank deeply of such weak and fruity Kool-Aid. That's some other book. Slogans saved my life. All of them--the dumb ones, the preachy ones, the imperatives, the cliches, the injunctives, the gooey, Godly ones, the shameless, witless ones.

"I lustily chanted some of those slogans and lived by others. There is nothing ironic about being a crackhead and a drunk, or recovery from same. Low-bottom addiction is its own burlesque, a theater of the absurd that needs no snarky annotation. Unless a person is willing to be terminally, frantically earnest, all hope is lost."

=====

I almost said, consider yourself lucky your addiction is just cigarettes, but I know that the fact that the habit is (marginally) socially acceptable actually makes it harder, not easier to quit.

Again, good luck. I will pray for you.

*faxin' Bob S. a shipping container full o' gum and carrots and other ciggie substitutes* :-)

What price progress?? About $250B up-front, apparently:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/28/AR2008092800064.html?hpid=topnews

Beijing, we have an open door (safely, I'm happy to say):

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702590.html?hpid=moreheadlines

To avoid overdosing on links, I'll just say the "Slate women's" conversation on Campbell Brown's complaint about Gov. Palin is very interesting. The more we (don't) see of the Sarah Show, the more I see Frank Morgan shouting something about the man behind the curtain...

There's also a very disturbing piece on possible "advocacy espionage" by the NRA against gun-control/safety groups. *SIGH*

Not to mention the loss of the MD medevac copter... *SIGHHHHHHHHHH*

And then there are those that apparently can't hear the Mythbusters' key phrase, "Please don't try this at home. EVER!"

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=80737

*somewhat-soggy-but-still-contemplating-a-weekend-run-and-other-activities-before-the-games-commence Grover waves* :-)

God loves us so much more than we can imagine through Him that died for all, Jesus Christ.

Good morning, friends. Bob S, prayer works. It did for me. I will keep you in prayer, and it is good to quit. Smoking is one nasty habit. Now if I could just stop going to my mouth with food, especially sweet food.

Mudge, Slyness, Scotty, Martooni, good morning folks.*waving*

I'm running late this morning. I've been up since three, but trying to read my Sunday school lesson. I hope the weekend was good for all. Slyness, those babies must have put something on you. They're growing. The days of just sleep are so over.

It is quite humid here. I went out to the car this morning, and everything is wet and foggy. Enjoy your day, folks. Try to give God some of your time.

I see we have a tentative deal with the bailout? I did not read the details, will try to do that later.

Time to swim.

'morning Scotty, kbert, Cassandra and the gang.
Good story the boss got out of his Dale City excursion. The price of real estatate sure took a tumble. Buyers' time, obviously.
I watched The Sting last night, perhaps for the 12th time. It's one of my all time favourite, all categories included. Newman and Redford make a heck of a team.
Casandra, it's wet here too. It's been rainin on and off for the past 36 hours and it will be more of the same today. And we do not need that water I shall say.
I'm warming up for the Singapore GP. It will be run at night on a street circuit. It will be different, one of the side effect of running under the artificial light is that the driver's face is visible behing the face shield. During the day the hield is a mirror.

And it continues...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702834.html

While you're in office, you ALWAYS have your "official" hat on in public. *rolling my eyes*

Bill Maher said that McCain was blinking secret subliminal messages in Morse code like:

O-B-A-M-A-I-S-B-L-A-C-K

Bat tea anyone?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080927.wbat0927/BNStory/International/home

McCain has a higher blinking rate than most. So, while irritating to viewers, the blinkiness -- likely -- does not mean increased nervousness or evasiveness.

Obama tilts his head up and off to the distance when thinking. Can appear to be elitist or detached.

The rhetoric of mannerisms!

The rhetoric of mannerisms has another name:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_language

I have had sufficient Palin brand batty already, thank you very much.

Shiloh, it seems the commenters on JA's article need some of your well-reasoned discourse on the problem.

I'd suggest using a pen name, though.

:-)

Good morning, you all.

This link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702587.html?hpid=topnews

will take you to JA's assignment in Dale City, VA.

It is a good piece. Makes me want to buy up that little townhouse and bring it a family to live in it and warm it up, bring it back to life. There is a sadness about an empty house, waiting.

Scottie, I looked at some of the comments below JA's article, a big mistake! Bet they don't do much porching....

The force is strong with this one:

http://www.sinfest.net/

I'd guess they're more likely to indulge in porch-burning, VL... :-O

LOL

Here's more on nonverbal communication:

http://members.aol.com/nonverbal2/diction1.htm

http://members.aol.com/nonverbal2/eyeblink.htm

Good morning Boodle.
In good humor this morning. Kingmaker's rating on Amazon shot up and book sales on B&N are also up.

Okay, Scottie, I acted with a comment (9:29:51), but it castigates both the news media and the rabble-rousers, so may simply contribute to what I perceive as "fear based anger" expressed in the comments on Joel's story. Overall, I didn't think the comments were that intense - especially in comparison to other sites. I just think Joel's fans are accustomed to more fawning and simpering discourse. Sometimes we need to be stirred up.

Bob S, would it help get you through the start if we promised a big cheer at the MBPH for our non-smoking friend?

Howdy y'all. I'm looking forward to reading Joel's article later on. I told The Boy about the wedding speculation and he expressed sympathy for the kids. Then he predicted that after the election, whatever the outcome, they'd wind up divorcing. You heard it here first.

Brag, I'll claim credit for that. I ordered Kingmaker yesterday on Amazon - I gave up trying to find it in a bricks n mortar store here. Looking forward to it.

Shiloh, permit me a careful but important question:

do you mean to say, without spin or exaggeration or stylistic effect, that the dialog here of kit-boodle and then boodler-boodler is

simpering and fawning?

(Am leaving and will not see a response until later.)

But, I sincerely wonder what you mean here. I appreciate a great deal of what you say in your posts. I often disagree. But, I expect you know that I do not always share your views about the larger picture or the smaller brushstrokes.

I will close by saying that I appreciate the dialog here. Our conversation is spritely, lively, nerdish, and civil.

Ivansmom,

Thanks very much, I hope you will enjoy it. If you bring it to the BPH or MBPH, I'll be happy to sign it.

Shiloh, I believe we fans prefer to use "stalking" in our approach towards Joel, but anyway...

I get what you mean, but the comments I saw were the typical know-nothing "Let 'em suffer for their mistakes" stuff, forgetting that we could all very easily be the " 'em " they refer to.

:-)

Here's an interesting part of the original financial rescue legislation. For zero counters, that's $11 Trillion, 315 Billion, or about a 6.5% increase:

Sec. 10. Increase in Statutory Limit on the Public Debt.

Subsection (b) of section 3101 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking out the dollar limitation contained in such subsection and inserting in lieu thereof $11,315,000,000,000.

Morning all... Tina Fey was great last night again. Keep it up, girl!

Did anyone compare the front and back covers of their Nature magazine this week? Wilbrodog.. this is for you...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1062848/Going-dogs-How-Nature-magazine-featured-Obama-McCain---unfortunate-ad-back.html

A few comments about the debate and the current state of the U.S.:

1) McCain handed it to Obama although the media likes to call it a "draw" to ease the pain of Obama looking like a light weight compared to McCain's senior statesman approach.

2) The politicos on both sides say that the same since of unity that they had after 9/11 will get them to work together through the economic crisis. Why the hell can't they work together all the time? Maybe we would not be in this spot if they had been WORKING for us!

3) Nancy Pelosi is worthless and the same goes for Reid. Pelosi is worried more about her hair and her failure of a book and Reid is an angry Grandapa.

4) Kudos to the Bush Administration on keeping America Safe since 9/11. With Bush's lack of domestic leadership - he is the worst President since Carter.

5) I can't believe that America is likely about to elect Obama - A guy who has less experience than for Mayor Marion Barry!

more thoughts to come...........

Keep good thoughts for my in-laws (and all others affected) by Kyle. Current projections put just east of the projected path as it enters the Bay of Fundy.

up with the master!
simpers of the world unite!
fawning is classy

Keep good thoughts for my in-laws (and all others affected) by Kyle. Current projections put just east of the projected path as it enters the Bay of Fundy.

I said, CP "Sometimes we need to be stirred up."

'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone,' it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.'

'The question is,' said Alice, 'whether you can make words mean so many different things.'

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master - that's all.'

Alice was too much puzzled to say anything; so after a minute Humpty Dumpty began again. 'They've a temper, some of them - particularly verbs: they're the proudest - adjectives you can do anything with, but not verbs - however, I can manage the whole lot of them! Impenetrability! That's what I say!'

'Would you tell me, please,' said Alice, 'what that means?'

'Now you talk like a reasonable child,' said Humpty Dumpty, looking very much pleased. 'I meant by "impenetrability" that we've had enough of that subject, and it would be just as well if you'd mention what you mean to do next, as I suppose you don't mean to stop here all the rest of your life.'

'That's a great deal to make one word mean,' Alice said in a thoughtful tone.

'When I make a word do a lot of work like that,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'I always pay it extra.'

Alas, Brag, I will be unable to bring my copy of Kingmaker for personal attention. Although I intended to attend, I discovered a scheduling conflict. I must be here at home at 9:00 a.m. Sunday for a singing premiere engagement, and the logistics simply will not work. I'm devastated, but expect full reports. If the venue is wireless, how about some live Boodling?

Clear!

Vintage Lady, this is for you, one of my favorite poems from childhood, from the author of the famous "Tree" poem:

The House with Nobody in it
by Joyce Kilmer

Whenever I walk to Suffern along the Erie track
I go by a poor old farmhouse with its shingles broken and black.
I suppose I've passed it a hundred times, but I always stop for a minute
And look at the house, the tragic house, the house with nobody in it.

I never have seen a haunted house, but I hear there are such things;
That they hold the talk of spirits, their mirth and sorrowings.
I know this house isn't haunted, and I wish it were, I do;
For it wouldn't be so lonely if it had a ghost or two.

This house on the road to Suffern needs a dozen panes of glass,
And somebody ought to weed the walk and take a scythe to the grass.
It needs new paint and shingles, and the vines should be trimmed and tied;
But what it needs the most of all is some people living inside.

If I had a lot of money and all my debts were paid
I'd put a gang of men to work with brush and saw and spade.
I'd buy that place and fix it up the way it used to be
And I'd find some people who wanted a home and give it to them free.

Now, a new house standing empty, with staring window and door,
Looks idle, perhaps, and foolish, like a hat on its block in the store.
But there's nothing mournful about it; it cannot be sad and lone
For the lack of something within it that it has never known.

But a house that has done what a house should do,
a house that has sheltered life,
That has put its loving wooden arms around a man and his wife,
A house that has echoed a baby's laugh and held up his stumbling feet,
Is the saddest sight, when it's left alone, that ever your eyes could meet.

So whenever I go to Suffern along the Erie track
I never go by the empty house without stopping and looking back,
Yet it hurts me to look at the crumbling roof and the shutters fallen apart,
For I can't help thinking the poor old house is a house with a broken heart.

Oh my, oh my. Those "Nature" covers are hilarious!

Here's how observant I am today: I read (and thoroughly enjoyed) the "Hapless House" piece in the old-fashioned pulp edition without ever noticing who had written it. Duh!

kbert - I'd never read that poem before. I like it a lot. Thank you for sharing it.

I love it when someone I disagree with politically can't spell. I feel so... vincidated.

Greg, I would argue that Marion Barry had tons of experience. His level of experience isn't what made him an unpalatable choice when voting.

kber, loved the poem. I've been restoring an old house, and this past week has bit my butt six ways to Sunday. But the poem (and the fact that Sunday is Bloody Mary Day) gives me hope for the coming week. Thank you.

TBG, that was in a earlier boodle.

As I said then, I want the black pup!

I hear Old Yeller already has seven homes anyway.

Last night, Obama and McCain met in the first of their debates. McCain commented that he had a bracelet given him by the mother of a slain soldier. Obama commented that he had one too... but he had to look down at his wrist to read the name on it..as if he'd never bothered to learn it before.

But, boy howdy, he's a great speller.

Phew. Nothing has changed after all. Tom Wolfe says so.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/opinion/28wolfe.html

Wilbrod, I'll ask my brother for his definition of a communist and get back to you.

Brag--thanks for the info on the clams resturant. Can't wait to dig into fresh seafood. We will go to Squidrow and CaboWabo for sure. Leaving in the morning. Still hate to miss the VP debate--hopefully we can catch it on CNN.

Also hate to miss the MBPH festival but I will be there in sprirt and also will have an official T-shirt thanks to TBG.

Re the bracelet: I think Obama's gesture came across as awkward because he is not as practiced at climbing on dead soldiers backs to showcase himself as McCain is.

I shouldn't be feeding the troll should I? I'll stop now.

good afternoon boodle!

Although my attendance at the MegaBPH was never in doubt, being able to complete the Army 10 Miler was. The new job, with evening hours, tore up my training schedule but I ran the "do or die" 8 miles this morning. That tells me I can gut out the 10, even if just under the wire for the very slow pace required to be allowed to stay on the course.

For CP, and anyone else considering cheering me on-please ask yourselves if that is a worthy way to spend a whole morning. It certainly would have helped to lose 25 pounds. (and if any of you think, surely if fb is going to run 10 miles she's just one of those people who says "I'm so fat" and isn't-you will be disabused of that notion on Sat. night).

DNA Girl, you, like many of the regulars here, love name-calling. Let me tell you (one of your One's fav expressions), I've buried too many soldiers to stomach Obama's posturing. To you Washingtonian and urban types, here's a little readout of your man's approval, here in the hinterlands. He's fake, bought out by special interest groups, and two-faced. Please jaunt over to "Doubts in Miss."

"Canton markets itself as the movie capital of Mississippi -- "A Time to Kill" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" were filmed here -- and the town is trying to attract more. Five years ago, Nissan opened a billion-dollar plant to build cars and trucks on the outskirts of Canton. It employs 3,700, but many residents said they have felt little impact. Nissan donated money and computers to local schools but requires a high school diploma for most jobs, disqualifying many residents in a place where nearly half of all high school students drop out.

There are small banners on the light posts leading into town that read "Rich History, Bright Future," but half a mile from the town's stately square, at the Washco Laundromat, Jennifer Blackmon, 20, said she has been unable to find work for over a year and survives on babysitting money. Blackmon is registered and plans to vote for Obama but said that most of her friends won't bother.

Beyond race, they find little in common with the senator from Illinois, with his Ivy League education and Hawaii childhood. To them, Obama, like Sen. John McCain, sounds just like all the other politicians who have promised to improve their lot but have not."

Obama is The Same. Same hot air. Same failed liberal policies. Same liberal puppet masters (NARAL ad nauseam). New and Improved Two Tone Finish.

That's why I am disappointed.

Thank you, DNA Girl.

frosti, good luck to you on the run. I'm one of those people who couldn't run a block even at my fittest, in my twenties. So your effort is awe inspiring to me.

Will be there in spirit, cheering you on and laughing away at the BPH events.

Advice I thought to give Obama while running this morning-

This is what you need to say the next time McCain says you don't understand.

Senator McCain is a true American hero. His sacrifices and service to this country are worthy of all our praise. But, they have also informed his approach to national security in ways that are at best unhelpful, and worst dangerous. He learned the wrong lesson from Vietnam. It was not a lack of public support for our service men and women that lost that war-painful and unfair as it was. A draftee force, fighting a war on foreign soil with no clear connection to the safety and security of their loved ones, did what Americans always do-they rose to the challenge, served valiantly, and won battle after battle. But, winning battles, and having successful surges, are not the same as victory. Victory is achieved by the nation that achieves its political aims, not by the one that proves it is willing to sacrifice human life and pour good money after bad indefinitely. As president, I promise you, I will always be straightforward with American people about what our goals as a nation are and how the use of force, the threat of force, cooperation with allies, diplomacy with our enemies, or letting warring factions work things out for themselves, supports those goals.

I also suggest Biden use the phrase "pyrrhic victory" with Palin, if only to see the look on her face as she tries to figure out if she met the Pyrrhic Prime Minister at the UN.

McCain blinks more because he's more nervous in general, CP. It's directly tied to nervous arousal issues (or dry eyes). People blink more on TV generally because of nerves.

I noticed Cheney blinking very fast during the VP debates back then. I started wondering if his pacemaker would short out. Likewise, Bush will blink quickly when he's uncomfortable replying and is lying. Dukakis was noted to blink more than Bush during the debates.

http://www.doctorzebra.com/prez/g41.htm

Sometimes excess nervousness can be a sign of high public speaking anxiety, of course, and that has to be judged properly. Such a person is likely to be sweating bullets and being too anxious to focus on lying well-- or being coherent.

Back to blinking. Blinking rapidly can also be a sign of a seizure.

Not blinking very often can be a sign of Addison's or hyperthyroidism.

Bush I developed Grave's disease (hyperthyroidism) during the Gulf War-- as did his wife, strangely enough. It aroused some speculation about an environmental cause rather than a genetic cause. And of course, we did elect a president with Addison's once-- JFK.

The opposite of Addison's disease is hypercortisolism, which elevates blood pressure, causes puffing of the face (moon face may occur), increased obesity in the gut, humping at the back, and relatively thin legs and arms. It can increase anxiety, but most commonly feels like fatigue. Bones are weakened and basic movements as bending, lifting, or moving from a chair can lead to backaches and/or actual fractures in the ribs or spine.

Many smokers have a mild form of cushing-like symptoms due to the constant stimulant effects of nicotine, so I call skinny limbs and a belly pouch "the smoker's build."

So yes, blinking tells you a lot about the person.

DNA Girl, you see (another fav expression), I buried a young man named Earl Fillmore, from Mogadishu. You weren't there, but the decision to not have armor present was made by the last set of "bright young things" and the First African American President.

For you, misspellings and McCain being a genuine hero are probably a BFD. Sort of like Obama responding to a decorated POW, "BFD, I've got a bracelet, too." (Like a seventh grader) "BTW, his name was,... Hamedah, hamedah, hamedah..."

Given that Obama the Pseudo-Intellectual has no legislation in his name, no published papers, no record of accomplishment, and has spent 40 years as the teacher's pet polishing his apple to prepare for a debate and to be the media appointed President, get this, just before a debate on National Security, he might, just might, have anticipated this. I have many, many more runon sentences and special words for you.

Given that, he should have passed.

But, like you, the immature, the self proclaimed intellectuals, he could not resist the opportunity to one-up McCain.

And, you know, spellers for Obama, the Army misspelled Earl's tombstone.

But, hey, the Ivy types at NSC didn't think armor was politically correct. Despite JCS requests.

You gotta have your priorities, DNA Girl.

Obama would be a great President.

Of a junior high Debate Club.

Good luck, Frosti!

'Good afternoon, Boodle. Brag, I've got the conn; thank you for your stint at the wheel. Seems to have been incident-free. Well done. And I just ordered your book.

Wilbrodog, I really admired "Wind blowing smooth like/Baby-eyed jazz musicians."

Jumper, your 1:12 just now made me laugh out loud.

Missed the first 15 minutes of the debate, but caught the rest of it. Have to agree with the "boring" wing of the Boodle. And yes, PJ, when McCain said Eisenhower offered to resign I was yelling "No, no, no, he didn't!" At the TV. My wife suggested I calm down lest I disturb whoever might have been in the adjoinging hotel rooms.

Kim, we enjoyed our visit to Virginia Beach. Yesterday we went to the Neptune Festival, and walked along the boardwalk (how come your "boardwalk" has no, well, boards? I guess cementwalk isn't very attractive-sounding. But we had a good time. Started at the Neptune statue, walked south for an hour before pooping out. My wife and I sat on a bench while dottir #2, SIL and four grandkids walked all the way down to the end of the festival area, and brought me back a coconut-head monkey-face (a pirate) drink with lemon Italian Ice in it. (Kim will know what this gibberish means.)

It had rained in the morning, but the sun came out before noon, and the humidity got dialed up way past 11. I don't think I've ever seen humidity so high without being wrapped in a towel in a Turkish bath. Then the weirdest thing happened: at about 1:30, on a sunny bright day, a fog bank rolled in off the ocean.

We had dinner at a really excellent diner called the No Frills Grill, I think on Laskin/31st street, or right nearby. The "No Frills" part is kinda misleading: it's true it looks like a regular silver diner type place, but the food is really outstanding, and there's a ton of it. The crispy calamari salad was really good, very tender.

OK, I'm home and getting on my game face for the Redskins-Cowboys game at 4. I am not optimistic.

You fed the troll, DNA girl. Now you have to take it home and change its litter box.

Hinterlands: Me.

Cousin buried after dying in Iraq: me.

Read Obama's record: me.

Actually aware of the last 30 years of failed Republican foreign policy: me.

Also aware that Obama was a kid when Vietnam ended: me.

Not even born when Vietnam ended: me.

McCain's been a senator longer than I've been alive, and I don't feel so young anymore either. It's time for him to retire.

DNA Girl, one last thing before heading out. I don't appreciate everyone and anyone not subscribing to "the boodle's" left wing slant being labeled a troll. Unless you are willing to admit that Democrats are bigots.

Here are the facts: Democratic areas are the most racially and economically segregated. Democrats have enormous problems, and very few solutions. I would love to vote "for change" but Obama is the Same.

And on National Security, that was a very stupid thing to do.

Howdy, Mudge. Welcome back. And thanks, frosti, for that great Obama advice. You also came up with those good ads. He really should have someone reading the Boodle.

Our new troll makes me sad. He (I'm guessing he) seems so filled with hate and anger, so much so that I couldn't sustain anger at him. I hope his drive-by venting calms him down enough that he can be civil and coherent in his real life today, and that he finds a measure of peace.

Dear Wilbrod, please, keep it up. Entering a battle of wits unarmed is a Dem specialty. (When not snatching defeat from the jaws of victory). Luv ya. Kisses to Chelsea and Bided Jr. Good luck at the hedge fund. TTFN.

Dear Republican Troll:
I'm having trouble following your arguments. I have no idea if Obama could win a spelling bee - I don't care. He has written two books, and mostly writes his own speeches. He does have a record of accomplishments, which Republicans like you refuse to acknowledge.

I'm not sure what Obama or liberals had to do with the Nissan plant or education policies in Mississippi. I thought Republicans were firmly in charge there.

Also not sure what Obama has to do with the soldier you buried, or what having no "armor present" is supposed to mean. It's the Republicans who seem to want to solve everything with military action, but don't want to raise taxes to pay for even that.

So, maybe you can clarify what you mean. You're not going to persuade me that the Republicans should be in charge any longer, though.

Republican troll, do you remember that Congress back then was Republican and was doing the budget? Do you remember Gingrich closing down the national government for weeks on a budget standoff?

You think this had nothing to do with troop armor? Clinton used force sparingly, and almost always with success.

Iraq on the other hand has been 6 years of Mogadishu, and less armor for more troops too. Think about that one.

Al Franken helped raise money for armor for troops. There are people out there who do care that troops are out there risking their lives for a poorly planned and led invasion.

I myself would have loved to buy and send body armor to Iraq, but apparently it's now a major security risk for Joe Public to send a care package unless you're purchase them through various organizations.

I did wind up packing care packages for the troops at an approved distribution spot. Apparently that wasn't a security issue.

I'll never serve in the military. I'm 4-F so many ways it's laughable. But I have another cousin who got out before Afghanistan and I think the Lord everyday he served under Clinton, but not Bush.

"Historically, debates don't change races, they reinforce people's pre-existing dispositions. It's McCain who needed the first debate to change things, and it just reinforced Obama's advantage"

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-28-debate-poll_N.htm?csp=34

So much for the post-debate debate. Nobody here expects to change how Republican Troll thinks, nor should he expect to change anything here. They also serve who civilly fawn and simper. But remember the sign at the door to the bunker: "Don't Feed The Trolls."

Thanks Ivansmom. It probably wouldn't hurt either campaign to bring in some guest speech writers now and again-like a guest kit. Not whole speeches mind you, just the odd thought here and there provided by Jane or John Q. Public. Seems a more appropriate role for "regular folks" than some others that have gained currency of late.

Ad hominem attacks, how very clever and insightful. Those are the rhetorical weapons of the witless.

Farewell. Your friend wouldn't appreciate your parading his death to prove some stupid point, I think.

No soldier serves in vain. Never that. If they die on duty, that is part of the risk of serving. But the leader who throws their lives away, is either incompetent or callous to the worth of their lives.

19 people were killed in Mogadishu. What's the tally for Iraq right now? I know. Do you?

"100 years in Iraq." McCain said that. Never mind the cost to our troops, to our economy, to this nation.

I loved the regular folk speeches at the DNC. I agree with you, Frostbitten. The more variety of voices out there, the better.

Wilbrod, you bring up something that always troubles me with drive-by commenting here or anywhere else. If everyone who claims to have an association with the soldiers who died in Somalia, especially those who claim to have been there, we would have had a force in Mogadishu to rival what is now in Iraq. We will probably not get a chance to know Troll HQ well enough to judge his credibility, but the "black ops" groupies are legion and usually worthy of disdain for the heroism by association they like to use to further their positions. If I have misjudged him/her I regret it, but with only ranting to go by...

I thought I'd hear about Obama's fumbling of the bracelet gag, just not here.
IMO the good Senator should just respond by citing his broad support within the military and leave the empty stunts to the Republicans. Why copy their weaknesses?

Dear Troll:

We don't consider you a troll because you are a Conservative and/or a Republican. We consider you a troll because of your drive-by posting, as well as your boorish, insufferable attitude and bad manners.

If you wanted to hang around here, introduce yourself a bit, chat, relax, and not be such an [sphincter] you'd be welcome. And if you turned out to be a somewhere to the right of most of us, but reasonable and above all, civil, you'd be OK. Not everyone here is a flaming leftwinger, though with your dim powers of discernment, I'm not surprised you can't tell.

But you're not the reasonable, friendly sort. You're just another drive-by, snarky, sanctimonious blowhard like 99% of the Internet. So yes, you're a troll. Deal with it. You've accidentally stumbled onto a little neighborhood bar of like-minded (nice) people. You don't know the neighborhood, the locals, and you don't know the rules. Finish up your drink and head for the door, and don't let it hit you on the ass on you're way out.

Love what you've done with the underside of your bridge, by the way. The moss is very nice.

Dear Troll: For various reasons (many unclear even to me!) I voted for the current president in the last two elections. Most of the folks here are well aware of that fact, and yet they manage to accept me with relative equanimity. Try a little humor, a bit less umbrage. Tastes great, AND it's less filling!

Sorry MoDodo
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/opinion/28dowd.html?hp

'McCain kept painting Obama as naïve, and dangerous, insisting that he “doesn’t quite understand or doesn’t get it.”

Obama should have responded “Senator, I understand perfectly, I’m just saying you’re wrong.”'

Quite agree.

Are the (culturally inappropriately-named Washington-area NFL franchise) losing yet?

Hey, I'm rooting for them, but I've learned over the 11 years that I've been living here to temper my enthusiasm with a soupçon of emotional self-preservation.

"MoDodo"? Can I be: "NoMoMoDodo"?

No

Aw, shucks.

;-D

Mudge: //You've accidentally stumbled onto a little neighborhood bar of like-minded (nice) people.//

We're a bar?

I was thinking more of a 24 hour diner which also sells liquor, has a bakery in the front and is right handy to a Target so we can run in for emergency items prior to returning home.

And not far from Home Depot or Lowe's, or IKEA. Hey, I just described where I live!

I'm actually thinking of The Dining Car on Frankford Avenue in Philly. Their cheesesteaks are realllly good, too.

No, no: it's a salon.

(Not the kind where you can get your hair bleached and acrylic nails glued on...)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salon_(gathering)

Oh, ok Bob. It's not really for me to say. You can be anything or anyone you want. Especially what with Halloween coming up and yours being a free country and all. Howzabout being a Democrat this year?

I've decided to become a NFL fan now that CITY-TV has cancelled The World Poker Tour and is showing the feetsball games.
Giants, good.
Bills, not so, but there's still hope. Stoopit Rams.

Frostbitten, I'll take your word for the Black Ops groupies.

I rather tend to think if he ignored the fact I had a cousin die in Iraq (not made-up), he's definitely a self-serving faker.

As for these groupies you mention...

Hm. Perhaps one guy was really popular and slept with half of the world before he died in Somalia, who knows? More power to him, then. What a life he led in such few years. I just hope he used condoms.

I can't pay my Home Depot Bill. Let me call Nancy (I Get My Hair Done Every Day While The Country Goes To Hell) and maybe she can bail me out.

Good afternoon, all.

Washington and Dallas playing a good, close game so far. Score's 17-7, Washington leading as they are nearing halftime(!).

The polling between Obama and McCain is close, and once again, it's going to be the independents who are going to decide it.

We had a very close election the last time there wasn't an incumbent President running, and I expect this one to be close as well.

Mr. Republican Guy, whoever you are: I'm an independent; the kind of voter you should be trying to reason with, to try to get me to vote for McCain in November.

From my perspective, you're not really helping your side with your behavior in here.

bc

Hello! It's not free speech if taxpayers are paying what you ain't paying.
http://wcco.com/local/pastor.preach.politics.2.827699.html

A lot of nonprofit organizations have been endorsing politically this year. It's very chaotic.

By the way - I've not only never said the word "soupçon" out loud, but I'm pretty sure that I've never heard anybody else say it.

Is it pronounced more-or-less like: "soup's on"?

Greg, perhaps you could share some grooming tips with us?

Apropos of not much, except perhaps the discussion of civility, I've always liked this quote (even though it probably asks a bit more humility than most of us can muster, most days):

If you don't find God in the next person you meet, it is a waste of time looking for him further. -Mahatma Gandhi

I finally read Joel's Daly City article, and I'm proud to be a tiny, fractional part owner in such a fine property and the other 53-odd thousand like it. He has a real knack for making the abstract personal.

The Boy and I discussed enough of the mortgage-turned-credit crisis yesterday that I think he grasps the basic details. It is always better to know, I think. We will not be among the first affected (no mortgages and not enough money to care about the market crash) but kids always wonder.

Hey, Bob S., I forgot to heartily congratulate you on your decision to stop smoking. I wish you well. My dad smoked until they got me, then quit cold turkey. Mom never could do that and apparently felt any other way was cheating. Finally, she fell prey to Alzheimer's, and eventually she just forgot she smoked. Talk about a silver lining . . . I don't recommend that strategy, but at least she appeared to be spared withdrawal.

For those keeping an eye on the Redskins - THAT is exactly the kind of stuff that causes my hesitancy in giving them my heart.

(The original composition of this message included language that was very, very, very unsafe for children, and respectable adults!)

Text of economic rescue bill official summary

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid=%7B6945E610%2D2654%2D4C44%2D87ED%2D3DA763EE0200%7D&siteid=rss

Thanks, Bob.

I have to say, when I saw Speaker of the House Pelosi talking about the bailout agreement last night, it made me feel proud to see a woman in that high position (hopefully the bailout won't be such a fiasco that I rue those words). She seems to be doing a good job, even if I don't agree with her all the time.

Wilbrod, I know not only the tally, but a dozen of the dead. That is what separates us.

You and Obama know the count, but none of the soldiers. Please spare me the Biden's son sage. He's a JAG, to serve in the safety of the Green Zone. Like Gore, the six month marijuana sampling journalist.

But I digress. If you read back, I believe the reference to the BFD of spelling was from another party but in context of this session.

Palin's son is headed down range.

Did you know that McCain's son served in Iraq as a Marine?

Do you know that Cindy has adopted the poor?

Do you know that she has done more for the poor than Obama the Dayplanner (sorry, community organizer) has done?

That's the point of the Canton, Mississippi article, which is linked to this web edition's home page. Get it? Even the poorest black does not empathize with the Kenyan Rich One. They sense, correctly, despite miserable educations, that Obama is Just Another Washingtonian.

If you want to argue that I should persuade an "independent," what is your excuse for them not hopping wholeheartedly on the Obama Bandwagon?

bc, following the last several years postings, you do not appear to be independent anymore than Hillary.

Wilbrod, blinking and eye movement can tell you more about honesty or nervousness in these circumstances. And, likewise, speech. But, I bet you never interviewed a terrorist or murdered.

Speech is a large part of why Obama is failing to carry the day. He cannot carry on a normal conversation, was AWOL on town hall meetings, and comes across as Professor Platitude.

I honestly believe that some of his most fervent supporters belong back in the 1960's when the only information available was a campaign speech or TV spot.

But, I don't think Obama is the source of all evil in the world.

I do feel that most Dems think that of Bush. And, looking at the record, Democrats are equally at fault on all the major issues.

There isn't much difference. Clinton, 19 KIA Somalia, 3,000 at the WTC due to failure to pursue Bin Laden in '96 and '98. Only that was on the continental US and the victims were innocent noncombatants.

Huge difference to me. I will lay down my life for my country (but not without one he** of a fight), but I don't think folks in DC or New York ought to because the "bright young things" at NSC are too hidebound politically and inexperienced world wise to act expeditiously and wisely.

Obama has a pathetic resume of real accomplishment. Biden is an aged Washington retread.

But mainly, my beef is the constant Democratic bias and rant. Having witnessed Kosovo in person and Rwanda from afar, I really believe Democrats espouse the ethnic hatred I have seen in these bloodbaths.

Yes, Republicans (I am not actually a registered voter for them, but I love pi**ing you off) have made enormous mistakes.

But, the facts are that Dems controlled Congress for generations, have done NOTHING in the last two years, have put up an inexperienced dorky noncommittal policy wonk (as opposed to the last two who WERE experienced), and espouse hatred towards much of the nation (the Red States, the working class, the middle class, and on and on).

So much for "inclusiveness," "tolerance," and "diversity."

This "boodle" is, more and more often, living proof.

Call me a troll all you want.

It's a badge of honor.

Back later to review. And apologies to mistaken identities if any.

Because I believe Achenbach is a great journalist and a decent man. Cassandra is the best.

And I think the Cassandras of the world are misled by the Democrats and the Republicans.

And calling anyone who disagrees a troll is not very little d democratic.

Nuff said. A moose needs killing. And I have to get Maureen Dowd's fashion opinion on my wife's sweats from WalMart.

Here's the entire draft on pdf - 110 pages.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid=%7B6945E610%2D2654%2D4C44%2D87ED%2D3DA763EE0200%7D&siteid=rss

Hi, troll! Thanks for returning. It seems like you're slowly learning how to communicate here. We're pretty tolerant of opposing views, but we don't like personalities and nastiness. You can't quite seem to let go of that yet, but you've given me hope.

I was truly worried for you earlier. Your anger and hate just jumped off the screen. It was something of a surprise; we don't really do anger and hate here, or at least not towards other people who post on the Boodle. I'm glad to see you are slightly calmer and able to be a little more coherent and specific. I may not agree with your viewpoints or beliefs, but if you can express them without being ugly I'm glad to listen. I truly do hope you find a measure of peace.

I think we all agree with you that Achenbach is a great journalist and a decent man, and Cassandra is the best. If you've been around a while, you know one thing they share is a deep civility and concern for others, which among other things prevents them from lashing out with indiscriminate hatred. Wit, yes, but not cruelty. These have become Boodle characteristics.

What makes you think Boodlers don't know any Iraq or Afghanistan soldiers, or any of the dead, or any soldiers of recent wars? Most of us do. Some Boodlers are proud veterans of those wars. Also, many of us are neither Beltway nor urban. Too much anger may be clouding your judgment.

C'mon, trollster. You're sitting by the copy machine, making lots of comments, but saying nothing. The only thing I've gotten out of anything that you've said is, basically, you're not going to vote for Obama.

Well, thanks!

(Did I miss anything else?)

Trolls are folks who post and use different names all the time. What keeps the conversation civil around here is the idea that we pretty much know who we're talking with. We depend on the honesty of a steady handle, whether they agree with us or not.

There have often been days-long arguments here with sides that are never quite agreed on, but you may not notice there's an "argument" going on because it's more like a knowledgeable and even-keeled discussion. Lots of "I see why you think that but I think you're wrong *and this is why*" is the tone of the back and forth.

We used to have similar civility in the Congress until the Republicans moved in back in the 90s with their "Contract with America" and decided it was easier to gain control of the government by tearing down the other side and turning Americans against each other. Impeaching a president because he got a blow job is a great example of Not Country First. (A good example of Country First is another Republican president, Jerry Ford, pardoning Nixon, but that's a different story.)

The Karl Rove method of politics took that idea of tearing down to build yourself up to a new level and his guy, George Bush, squeaked by a questionable victory and declared it a "mandate" even though half the country had NOT voted for him.

And like I've said before... there's a difference between having a majority and having "control" of the House or Senate. Two years ago the Dems gained a majority but hardly control.

That, of course, was snide, and I apologize.

Troll, your are doing fine. Much better detail. But you can do much better on the name thing.

Seriously, there are dozens out there waiting to be used. How about Decided Voter?

I used to work with some guys who were in Bosnia. If the conversation turned that way, they used to get very quiet. I hope you don't have to bear whatever memories they bear.

Once again, Ivansmom and Bob S said it much better than I did.

Shiloh, thanks. I'm going to give it a try but I bet I don't get much past the summary (assuming there is one). If you are going to read all 110 pages - or, frankly, even think you might read all 110 pages - you are my hero.

I've used the word soupçon in conversation. I've also said "decanal," "penultimate," "liminal" and used the word "enormity" correctly.

If that doesn't mark me as a card-carrying liberal elistist, nothing will!

Bob S.,

I very much like your 6:44.

Soup's on, indeed.

How do, Troll-persona,

Coupla things: one of my four brothers is in and out of Afghanistan and Iraq and has been there from the beginning. He is pulling ugly and dangerous duty, some of it hostage intradiction and rescue. Me? Reluctant and very thoughtful pacifist who adores and admires this brother, who says what I think is fine. He is living; yet I fear for him often. And, I have sat silent -- silent -- with him, when I know he is thinking of bodies and body parts he is too familiar with. I think you overplayed this sacred reference to these horrible wages of war. You may want to rethink this rhetorical move in all places, but especially among war fighters.

I am a pro-life Democrat (and feminist) and am treated with courtesy and dignity here. Like Cassandra, I live and move and have my being each day in the mystery and grace of God. I am also nutty in love with science and am a card-carrying Evolution-slinging Roman Catholic. Back to pro-life, I am also anti-death penalty, so imagine my interesting political bedfellows.

I grew up in Montana; I can shoot pistols well, rifles not so much. I can tell you what scat is elk, and what is mule deer. I can tell you how fresh the grizzly mark is on a lodgepole pine. One thing about the West, which may be a part of Sarah Palin not every understands: people hold their codes close. Yet the tolerance of western folk is true North. People out West truly know how to live and let live. The prairie and the range demanded this ethos of neighbors are a life line in bad weather, bad times, and against the bad 'ens.

Even now, right here in Ablog land I believe that Shiloh and I disagree mightily about the "fundamentals" of the economy. But, we are not slamming each other, just trading cryptic emails that reference Alice in Wonderland, Humpty Dumpty, etc. Clearly we disagree; however, I could lift a glass of cheer with him easily. I might even let him advise me on a finance thing or two.

Pick a new handle. Show up. Tell us what you think and why. Yes, lots of Dems here. Lots of liberals. But very human and thoughtful people. We think that political life is best supported by civil discussion.

See ya; will keep a light on. You can bunk on the pallet over there, should ya need.

Yoki, you've got me beat (hey, I'm just a simple Georgia boy, ya know?), but I did recently use "lachrymose" and "largess" in one subordinate clause in a conversational sentence. Eyebrows were raised.

You seem to be assuming a lot about who I don't know, Troll. That is in itself offensive, like you assumed I didn't know anybody who had died in war.

You're not the only one who's seen war. We have many people here who have served in the military-- and experienced a direct attack on the US.

People who were HERE at ground zero in 9/11 and during the October sniper attacks and have a strong perspective on what terrorism is.

You know what? I did a lot of thinking about "living under fear". It's not for me. Let me die for my country, if the alternative means crippling our country in a single-party dictatorship and destroying all America stands for-- stood for.

I'm willing to put my life on the line by voting for change, rather than voting other people's lives on the line for more of the same.

I've been appalled at how ready people have been to give up essential civil liberties and subject themselves to a police state "just to be safe."

Safety is a fiction. Most military I talk to know that. America isn't as popular around the world as we like to think, and much less so after Bush has gotten things f'd up.

Obama will have a significant advantage in international relations (He has a degree in it, at least, and has studied the subject for a while) in being so clearly NOT Bush. America's economical future will depend on making favorable deals with other countries-- and stopping making trouble with bad policy.

Note how Hussein and Bin Laden were themselves trained and/or supplied arms by Reagan and Bush I and later became our enemies. Today we are training and funding thousands of Iraqi and there's that situation in Soviet Georgia which sounds like the old "arm neighbors of our enemies to distract them" tactic.

Even Pat Buchanan said on the McLaughlin group last week, "why are we poking our finger in Russia's eye?" by arming Poland and Georgia. He also predicted that history would prove that Georgia in fact had invaded South Ossetia with our blessing.

That's pretty much what Brag has been saying too.

Now, you're singling me out for attack because what I said about the Republican congress has a lot more truth in it than you'd like to admit. Clinton reacted to Somalia by cutting back on use of military force. He didn't want to see those soldiers die any more than you did.

What did Bush do in Iraq once it went badly? You answer me that. This is the same guy who refused to overturn any execution orders in Texas, the state with the highest rate of executions.

Even before he became president, he was satirized by the foreign press as the kind of guy who would sip lemonade while watching executions before a light lunch.

And now let me say this. I am a citizen same as you. I may not be allowed to serve my country by taking up arms in a foreign land. But I will not denied my right to die for a free country. I would rather see America be strong and free and open rather than live in a police state.

We are incredibly lucky to be living in America. Comparing partisan politics to Rwanda or Sarvejo is hyperbole, and also deeply wrong. Who is advocating mass rape and civil war here?

You see, I too know refugees from Sarevejo and spoke with them.

Do you think Clinton was wrong to step into Bosnia and Rwanda? As I remember it, his actions did have good results, galvanizing Europe to step in. He also didn't lose thousands of troops in the process.

If you've been sober, you'll have seen that Bush's administration has been moving us towards a theocracy. And that's the perfect set-up for Sarevejo.

If you are objective, the Democrats are the far more multicultural party, and have been for the last 30 years.

The Republicans have had pretty much the same kind of people in charge for the last 30 years. Many of Bush's people served under Nixon, for heaven's sake.

You cannot say the Democrats have been the same old problem, when the Democratic party has had a far higher turnover in the "senior guard" holding major politically appointed positions since 1980 than the Republicans have had.

I share your deep concern about extremists hijacking politics. I see people I find way too ideological on both parties, but Obama isn't one. I admire his pragmatic approach, and you're incorrect he hasn't authored any legislation. You must listen to Fox News.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200809080020

Facts: just two bills relevant to you...

http://obama.senate.gov/press/061211-lugar-obama_bil_1/

Dignity for wounded warriors
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/veterans.pdf

"In the 110th Congress, Obama has so far introduced 59 bills for which he is the primary sponsor."

Thank you for sharing your strong opinions in a clearer manners.

As for hatred of Bush, yes, there is a lot of anger at how our government has been broken. Don't have your head in the sand over the ignoring of international law and the constitution.

I think Obama will be JUST fine as a president. McCain on the other hand should have been elected 8 years ago, not today. He is simply too old.

Somehow, Bob, the word simple does not spring to mind when reflecting on your many virtues.

Shiloh - I quoted that bit of US code in my 10thcircle bit last week:

http://www.10thcircle.com/10/?p=250

It's nail-biting time for fans of the Washington NFL Franchise with less than two minutes left. I'm watching with my shoes and socks off.

Don't want to mess up my fingernails for next week's MBPH, you understand.

bc

"Nuff said. A moose needs killing. And I have to get Maureen Dowd's fashion opinion on my wife's sweats from WalMart." by Troll

I smell fish, and if I were the aspersion casting sort...

Aw, Wilbrod, stop that! "He is simply too old."? Sounds to me just as reasonable as saying, "He hears too well to be president of Gallaudet University".

If you think he's too cranky, or his hearing and vision are failing too much, or he's getting bats loose in his belfry, or he just takes too darned long to get up in the morning, then say that. But I'm not sure that age, per se, is a particularly relevant issue.

I don't date twenty-year-old women, but it's because I don't find that I've got much in common with them, and because darned few of them have any interest in me. It's not because they're "too young". (Well, and the fact that both their parents and mine would despise me, if not actually kill me.)

Well said, Wilbrod, well said.

I get kind of a thrill whenever I get to use the words "vis a vis," "erstwhile" and "eschew" out loud.

Oh. My. God. We. Beat. Dallas.

In. Dallas.

I've been holding my breath for three hours.

Oh, and Troll-

Just because I am not a fan of the current Administration does not mean I'm completely unreasonable, does it?

Glad I could give you something to do this afternoon, if you're not watching football.

Me, I've spent my non-football watching time doing laundry and taking out the trash.

bc

'mudge - I've decided not to believe it until I see it in the paper tomorrow!

You beat Dallas? No! Say it isn't so! Ivansdad will be sad tonight! Sorry, but my concern for my dear husband must outweigh my pleasure for all you football fans.

At least it sounds as if it was an exciting game. I guess that's good, from Ivansdad's perspective.

Though probably not.

Apparently, they're going to go "back to Dallas for reactions".

Let me make a prediction: The Washington players, staff, and fans are happy. The Dallas players, staff, and fans aren't.

Does that sound about right?

Unbelievable -- the Redskins beat Dallas on the Big D's home turf (or is that plastic sod?)! Wowie-zowie!

And, Wilbrod -- What You Said!

Gesundheit!

RT,
You clearly know a lot about us which makes you a lurker or a previous visitor. There's really no entertainment value in just riling people up just because you can. I should know. There are plenty of places to go for vicious partisanship.

Every attack you made on Obama/Biden can be reversed or countered.

McCain was a corrupt crony of Charles Keating that brought on the first S&L crisis and has no moral authority to discuss financial malfeasance.

Cindy McCain was a drug addict that stole from her own charity and framed other people.

Sarah Palin is an incompetent religious nut in so far over her head that she has no idea where the surface is.

See. That wasn't any fun at all. What's the point?

Did anyone else hear tape of McCain on the phone today talking to someone about the bail out deal? He sounded freakishly like LBJ in the tapes they play on C-SPAN radio. I suppose he sounds presidential in the call if you 1. don't bring up a mental picture of LBJ and 2. you don't remember he isn't actually the president and being a Sen/Rep with a hand in the deal and getting an attaboy call from a candidate is not the same as having your prez's thanks in a personal call.

I won't even begin to ponder how many people have heard the LBJ tapes on C-SPAN radio.

What a relief to see da Mudge back. The responsability was crushing. Good that his time off made him see the light and order my book.

Troll would benefit by reading it, too. By claiming or hinting to have been to exotic places and done stuff as intellectual credentials, in this place is dangerous. There are Boodlers with great minds, also Boodlers who have done stuffin places like Megadishes, Kabobastan and developing Paunchiwar.

Dear Troll (until you pick a handle),

I learn a lot from hanging out here. I hope you've had the same pleasure and will continue to do so in the future. Welcome:
http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=2693

And you're right, I have called people names in the past few days. I'm just so frustrated by what seems to me unseemly and pervasive celebration of anti-intellectualism in the Republican party these days. That's no excuse though, so I'll apologize.

Just turned on the telly. They're talking about the LHC on 60 minutes, cool! There's a guy saying "photons in Mom and Pop's living room in the future"
What?!

Oh oh and some cute particle physicists. Be still my heart....

Scarlett Johansson got hitched.

See, you don't have to make long posts to important important information.

SCC: "impart important information"

This Scarlett thing has really thrown me for a loop.

60 Minutes had a segment on the LHC. They picked about the geekiest nuclear physicist I have ever seen to interview. Fantastic visuals, especially in HD. Andy Rooney in hi-def I could do without.

Now its time for the season premier of Amazing Race so I can add and subtract places from my To Visit Someday list.

Bob S., granted there's no overt age limit on the presidency (There should be, BTW.).

Okay, he's triple-dipping retirement payments, including 100% disablity. He's survived cancer three times, and he's shown missstatements that could be senior moments, and he keeps talking about 30 years ago like it's happening today.

He's missed more votes this year than any other senator (yes, even the candidate that the other side claims does nothing.). Number 2 on the list is a senator who suffered a brain hemmarhage and had to learn how to dress himself again.

http://delawarewatch.blogspot.com/2008/05/evidence-indicates-mccain-would-be-lazy.html

His schedule is very low-stress; one event per day, basically. He wanted to suspend his campaign so he could go back and do a bailout, and incidentally miss the debate because he's too busy saving America.

Obama called it. "A president needs to be able to do more than one thing at a time." If McCain runs the country like he's campaigned, we'll have a country with a president only 30 minutes out of the day.

Our country didn't do so well with Bush, who took more vacation days than any other president ever (even Reagan, who may have been in early stages of Alzheimer's near the end of his term). See, Bush was just 'efficient' in his work habits, so he could do 5-hour days what Clinton did in 16-hour days. (Clinton was a workaholic).

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/mason/5042364.html

It may be kind to attribute this to age and not feeling so well. Otherwise we would have to accuse McCain of being a lazy SOB who wants yet another source of governmental income for doing next to nothing.

And that would be disrespectful to a former POW and patriot who's been either in the military or politics since he was a young lad.

So let's say he's just old, okay?

I think I just spotted a photon in MY room!

(Oh, wait, there's another one...)

The short version of the EESA (Emergency Economic Stabilization Act) was posted first and is a fairly good synopsis.

The long version draft (110 pages pdf double spaced) has several errors (pages 31,31,45,etc.) that will likely be corrected by editing or engrossing. Some points of interest:

:Home ownership preservation is well addressed in some detail with the priorities clearly spelled out for the Secretary.

:There was no change in the lst draft provision previously posted on increasing the Public Debt (as cited by bc in his 10th circle blog) which remains at $11,315,000,000,000 (yeah, eleven-trillion) so an extra billion or so wasn't added for bridges to anyplace (so far).

:The limit on CEO,CFO,top 5 execs, was increased from $400,000 (the president's salary) to $500,000 but limited to those firms that access $300 million or more in funds AND does not restrict the salary, but simply makes anything above the limit non-deductible as a business expense for participating firms.

:Oversight, including appointment of a special IG, oversight board, etc.,etc. is almost excessive, but may be wise.

One more thing:

"Humpty Dumpty referred to King Richard III, the hunchbacked monarch. At the Battle of Bosworth Field, he fell from his steed, a horse he had named 'Wall' (as dramatically rendered in Shakespeare's play Richard III: 'A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!'). Richard was surrounded by enemy troops in the battle, and was butchered right there, his body being hacked to pieces. Hence the final part of the rhyme: 'All the King's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty together again.' "

Great comment to Troll (welcome Troll) CP. If you saw what has happened to my portfolio during the crisis you would never ask for my financial advice.

Faxing RD some SHIRAZ, which I am drinking to lovely effect with a huge bowl of strawberries and 25 Ghiradelli dark chocolate chips.

Did laundry today to the cover band emo sounds of some soulful stuff. Apparently, these dudes are surprising a young lady who adores this confessional acoustic stuff. However they ripped a fairly good Teen Spirit and some Green Day standards.

I am, today, grateful to pay my mortgage. Rest up, boodlers,, tomorrow tis Monday, and October is nigh.

My world is shattered, RD.

And the deed was done in Vancouver. Can't trust those Canuckis.

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=4dfaea69-ddab-41ac-9ab0-ca7a299eeeeb

There is no justice in this world.

Such an afternoon on Achenblog! I'm glad I was playing with baby boys and working in the yard. These are things that matter, at least to me.

Shiloh, I appreciate your summary of the bailout, since I basically do not have the patience to read the whole thing. The connection of Humpty Dumpty to Richard III is new to me. I know the connection of Ring around a Rosy to bubonic plague and Rockabye Baby to Restoration politics. It's always fun to learn a new one.

All part of the invasion plans RD and Yello!

You beat me to it, yellojkt. And the fellow was involved with Alanis Morrisette previously. Thanks for the reminder about Amazing Race - I travel vicariously through that show. I cannot imagine flying that much, even for a chance at a million bucks.

Shiloh-please add my thanks for taking that bullet for the boodle. I look forward to more of your analysis as things unfold.

Yes, carry on being tedious about finances, Shiloh, it's surprisingly interesting.

Mr. T:

Welcome back. You're making a bit of progress. Please stick around, pick a new, less offensive handle, as has already been advised, and relax.

I have one really big question for you I really would like answered, and a secondary one as well. And I am not being smart-ass or snarky about this big question: I really would like to know your serious response to you.

The preface to the question: You say you know a dozen of the dead, and I accept that at face value. And you intimate you were in Bosnia, and maybe a couple of other places, and I respect that, too, and won't challenge any of it. I assume you either are now still military, or were for some period of time. That's fine. I don't have a problem with any of that. I accept that you've been places and seen things, and most important from an emotional level, lost friends.

My question: I accept all that and respect it...but how is it relevant to anything? How does the deaths of your comrades validate your political opinions?

My lesser question has to do with what you said about blaming Clinton for 9/11. How can you blame Clinton, but NOT blame Bush? You claim (rightly) that Clinton didn't go after OSB in 1996. You clearly choose to overlook Bush failing to go after him in 2001, given a memo about how dangerous he was, and all the other crap that happened before and after 9/11 on Bush's watch. How come Clinton is so much more culpable, in your view, than Bush?

You do realize, don't you, that Bush has had almost seven years to catch Bin Laden, and has failed miserably. Yet you continue to castigate Clinton for his failure in 1996. Seriously, do you not understand how many of us here find that contradiction inexplicable?

Virtually everything you ranted about liberals and Dems can be turned around diametrically, and said about you Conservs: your knee-jerk attitudes, prejudices and ideas. Why can you not look in the mirror and see yourself reflected exactly in your stereotyped image of the "other side" but simple reversed, left to right, as in a mirror?

Seriously. I'm not being snarky about these questions. I'd like to know your views.

------------------

Meanwhile, Frosti, congrats on the Twins.

Bears just scored a TD against the Iggles. It was a good afternoon, but might be a long night.

I missed SNL; I understand Fey did Palin again, is that right? Was it a good show? I taped it but haven't had a chance to watch.

Yoki, many of us missed you. Welcome back. At one of the craft booths in Virg.Beach, I saw a print that made me think of you, Ivansmom, ftb, SofC, Bill everything, etc.

It showed a courtroom, as seen from the back. Across the front was the judge up on his bench, and the jury seated to his right, and a similar bank of people on the left, and in the foreground, a couple rows of spectators. However, in the center of the picture, where the tables with the two lawyers out to be, there was nothing. This area was like a big, open patch of water, and in the middle were two shark fins, nothing else, side by side a few feet apart, and facing the judge.

what's up wit da iggles? are they only playing one quarter now....crap

Thanks Mudge. We're not out of the woods yet. The White Sox have a make up game with Detroit. If they win we'll have a one game play off to break the tie.

Congrats to you, and all Washington fans, on your football joy.

Catching up on all I’ve missed. As a former smoker I wish you good luck Bob. I am now hooked on nicotine gum, but I figure it’s still better than smoking. I quit many times and think this last one is for good. I do feel much better and can’t believe how stinky cigarettes are and how the smell permeates everything on and around you.

Great political discussion . I don’t understand what makes a person wander into the neighborhood bar/salon/pickle barrel and stir up trouble. It seems a strange form of fun.

I too am grateful to Shiloh for his explanations of things financial. It’s not my strong suit. Actually, I don’t have a strong suit.. Saw a bit of the Redskins Cowboys game. I’m very happy to hear that the Cowboys lost.

When Clinton did go after Bin Laden, by bombing areas in Sudan and Afghanistan in 1998, he was soundly criticized by the Republicans for "wagging the dog" to distract the nation from his marital dalliances.

May I add here, apropos of nothing really, that our Mega BPH is really shaping up to be one he11 of a party!

I'm a dunce...I thought that was a final

What TBG said.

And what TBG, bc, Scottynuke and I aren't saying. Mum's the word. Shhhhh.

In the house! Hu hu hu? Hu hu WHOse birthday?
That's right. Jumper's. Yow!

Say my NAME!

I think I may have to add one more very serious question for Mr. T: Why is OK for you Conservs and Repubs to hate and disparage Clinton, liberals, Dems, etc., the way you very clearly do, but you get bugged because liberals/Dems hate Bush, Rove, Cheney, et al., and disparage all their works and deeds (or misdeeds)? This is the other aspect of the mirror image problem I fail to understand.

Happy Birthday, Jumper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you sir. May I have another?

Yo, Jumps... Happy aging!

DOn't tell Mudge your age, Jumper. He gets those funny turns, see. He might take out the cat 'o' nine tails for the birthday spanks and then keelhaul you for many happy oceans.

Now, it's time for a series of pointless, stupid, and occasionally offensive observations about the news of the day.

In the article about Alaskan mines & fisheries
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702834.html?hpid=topnews

I noted the following tidbit:
- -
"But the mine would sit on Bristol Bay, a fishing paradise where 31 million sockeye salmon worth $108 million were caught last year."
- -

Now I don't buy a whole lot of salmon, but if I could get it for three and a half bucks per fish, I'd darned sure buy more of it!

Happy Birthday Jumper!!

My lost dog showed up the other day. Curiously, it was 90 seconds after a mysterious black car was on the street. Not the same time, but right after. I was glad to see my dog. I put two and two together. (My neighbor scoffed; said it was coincidence. But I know better. I had seen it once before in another situation.)

In any case, I since identified the car and driver. It was the lonely lady up the street, who lets my dog in her business and coos over her and fusses and gives her treats. I have asked her not to alienate my dog's affections, and mention that if everyone feeds her she'll just get fat. But dognapping her for 8 hours was really too much! I will have to ask her not to do it again.

Now, why am I telling this tale? For several reasons. First, the motive: alienation of affection. That's the first clue. Second, the coincidence that isn't a coincidence. That's the other clue. Third,to point out that I didn't go yell at businesslady. That sort of thing doesn't work.

Happy Birthday, Jumper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I know. Deja vu, and all that. But you asked for another.

Iggles decided to fight back. 14-14.

happy birthday, jumper!

the 110 page version of the bailout is available over at nyt. i accidentally downloaded it myself. i'll keep it around for my insomnia problems i think.

hey republitroll, how long have you been lurking around exactly? you think you've sized up the boodle, but you really haven't. you've also missed the obvious connection between people who would like joel's stuff and people who would tend to be anti-anti-intellectual. you know, pointy-head sciency or egghead types, who also tend to be liberal or at least liberal-leaning.

are you a closet egghead?

Many happy returns, Jumper. In your honor,I have a bottle of fizzy wine chilling for the occasion. Will fax a glass or two to the bunker before it goes flat (the wine, not the bunker).

Happy birthday Jumper!

Jumper, I cannot tell a lie. It was I who hired that woman to kidnap your dog while we implanted the tracking/recording device that will help us keep track of you.

Happy birthday, Jumper, and may you have many more delightful ones!

And my plan worked, Bob. You've now been secretly photographed purchasing and installing the spy equipment. ShutterWHIRRRclick. ShutterWHIRRRclick.

And thanks to all for the happy birthday wishes. I feel doubly vincidated now.

If looks could kill, they probably will
In games without frontiers...

No power for the past 6 hours. it has been a crazy day weather wise here,heavy rain,then sun,rain,more sun,no power then more rain,the river is flooded,I watched 2 huge trees float down stream.

I was happy I had a good supply of batteries and oil lamps.I listened to the game on the radio.That was an impressive win for the skins and nice to end up winning the last Dallas/Wash game a Texas stadium.

Oh and Happy Birthday Jumper!!! Hope you enjoyed your day.

L A Lurker: You saved the 110 page DRAFT of the EESA? I only read it on line, saving a download for the engrossed and autographed version in hardcover. With 435 editors in the house marking it up - and another 100 senior editors waiting for their chance to edit the mark ups, I figured the final version would be more exciting. I must admit to being weary-eyed near the end of the draft and several times had to pick my head up off the keyboard.

Happy birthday to Jumper!

Mudge, that sounds like a fun picture. Shark fins. One wins, one is shark fin soup.

College Parkian, the Boy demands I ask where exactly you got strawberries. They are all done here by now - and by "here" I mean that they've stopped shipping them in from the California fields, as they did since about April. Today I sadly explained to him that strawberries are all gone (as are peaches, and tomatoes will be in a couple of weeks), and you go and eat strawberries in front of him.

Victory dated, Jumper?

my browser on a mac only downloads pdf, so i clicked on it to look at it and the pdf downloaded automatically. i'm pleased to hear that it might work wonders for my insomnia.

Happy Birthday, Jumper!

I only watched the opening of SNL - Tina Fey did another masterful channeling of Sarah Palin. The funniest part was where she repeated verbatim one of Palin's answers in the Katie Couric interview. You cannot make this stuff up. Wait a minute, maybe that's not so funny...

More obnoxious news commentary:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702797.html?hpid=sec-world
China's Tainted-Milk...
"The tragedy would not have been as widespread if more Chinese babies were breast-fed, said Jorgen Schlundt, WHO's director of food safety. Chinese breast-feeding rates have plummeted as more women return to work early and families respond to the aggressive advertising of formula companies, experts said. Less than 50 percent of babies younger than 6 months breast-feed."

- - -

How on earth does the WaPo expect for me to properly understand the nuanced issues here without several pictures of young Chinese mothers breastfee^&_*($^^)

{Hal apologizes for the technical problems which made it impossible to provide the remainder of this comment.}

Many happy returns Jumper!

Yeah, it's the latest dating thing. You have five minutes to declare victory over your new date. Then it's on to the next.

So just how loaded with pork is this bailout bill? Legislators just can't resist loading up a must-pass piece of legislation. I bet the added pet projects cost more than the bailout.

Happy B-Day, Jumper! No slowing down the march of time.

yello - Any of a number of terms (most of them not very appropriate in this forum) came to mind to describe the likely eventual outcome.

It's definitely necessary, but I'm not real confident of our/their ability to administer it reasonably/efficiently/effectively. I 'spect it's gonna be ugly as far as the eye can see.

So far, yello, it's a circuitously straight-forward piece of legislation limited to economic stabilization. The mark up period and floor amendments are usually when the pork gets added. As I said earlier, it's the same increase in public debt initially proposed by Paulson - no bridges to anywhere, so far.

Jumper, you may have as many more as you wish. Happy birthday.

dmd, did I read correctly? You have folks in the path of the storm? Here is hoping they are warm dry and have an alternate source of electricity.

And, yello, the fact that Friday was the official recess date for the election holiday for pols may result in a streamlined bill - to the extent that a bill originally proposed at 3 pages has grown to 110 pages can be called "streamlined."

Yes dr, apparently now quite direct (about 1/2 hour east of Yarmouth).

They are hardy east coast stock, and my FIL is ex Merchant Marine - they had someone who will check on them. Water is not an issue as their cottage is well on a hill but it is an old cottage and they are getting up in years - crossing my fingers.

From "Help for the Heavy at Ramadan"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702592.html
- - -
"Last year, just before Ramadan, Mehdi, who weighed nearly 350 pounds, consulted Mohammad Sadegh Kermani, a physician and diet guru who has developed a seminar to help patients ride the Ramadan roller coaster.

Mehdi has since lost 180 pounds."
- - -

Now, even in Iran, I think that each pound of body fat is worth about 3500 kilo-calories, so it sounds to me like this young man has managed about a 1700 kcal-per-day shortfall for a year. I applaud the stamina & determination that must have taken. In most situations, we'd call that cruel starvation.

Happy b-day Jumper

These pair of videos are just too much. Especially combined. I'm not sure which is funnier.

http://livebythefoma.blogspot.com/2008/09/sarah-palin-miss-teen-usa.html

Happy Birthday, Jumper.

Iggles fans, things aren't looking so rosy for youse at the moment.

But, it is the Bears they're playing - they'll trade turnovers with anyone in the league.

I guess we'll see how the Bailout Bill pans out - I'm going to have a look at the text myself. Maybe run searches against the text for the words "wallet," "panic," "balance," "magic," "flourish," "punt," "assume," "powers," "festooned," and maybe the phrase, "pot 'o gold."

bc
bc

From: "Young Iranians Release Book Caricaturing The Holocaust"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702588.html
- - -
"We have seen many anti-Zionist stances but never anti-Semitic," said Siamak Mehre Sadegh, a Jewish member of the Iranian parliament who had not yet seen the book. "Anti-Semitism is not the official position of the country."
- - -
Wow. This is fairly high on the list of the more bizarre statements that I've ever seen in print. My mind is just about boggled. I got nothin' here.

Bob S., yes it is cruel starvation, but keep in mind that a 350-lb body uses more calories per day than a 180-lb body. So at the beginning weight loss could have been even faster than the average you mention.

I'd guess that one month of strict Ramadan caused 30-50 pounds loss (minimum) and then tapering off after that. The last 50 pounds are always the hardest, you know.

Yjkt - I truly couldn't decide. I tried, watched 'em both twice. I did find that it's delightfully overwhelming if you play them both at the same time.

Wilbrod - Hey, a few hundred-thousand k-calories here, a few hundred-thousand k-calories there, and pretty soon you're talking real weight loss!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080928/ts_afp/healthdiseasesleepnarcolepsy

what was I ssszzzzzzzzzzzz

I couldn't do that kind of starvation for weight loss, though. I've gone 24, 36 hours without food in the past and it does tend to cause rebound gluttony.

Hey Bob S. were you playing cute particle physicist back there at 8.03?
*happy waves right back at cha* :-)

http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=1280

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eih67rlGNhU&feature=related

A little musical reminder.

In my liberal, pointy-headed science-y way, I think that I've calculated that our intrepid Iranian weight-watcher shed enough energy to heat a cube of water roughly 20 yards on a side from freezing to boiling.

That's a LOT of jelly doughnuts!

Great news for the Great Lakes.

http://wcco.com/local/lakes.cleanup.bill.2.827776.html

This is one of our most valuable resources in America.

It serves as transport for bulk goods, it waters a lot of farm land and earns 5 billion a year from commerical and sport fishing alone. It could be better.

http://www.greatlakesforever.org/html/meetlakes/economy.html

DNA Girl - LOL! I'm not sure how cute it was, but it was definitely intended for you.

Did you notice the sheep at the beginning of the LHC story?

So, I know the scientists say they won't create a black hole...but isn't there the slightest chance they could be off just a smidge and do that, or create a big bang? Is God sitting back and saying, There they go again? ??? It freaks me out a little. When they were about to do the test, I heard a story about it on the radio when I was half-asleep, and it freaked me out. Ah well, not much to be done. Where's the Shiraz?

Well, I think the underlying confidence comes from the fact that, in the event that a black hole weighing itty-bitty-zillionths of a gram is created, it won't have a "hole" lot of gravity, so it's just not a particularly frightening prospect.

It doesn't matter how tightly you smoosh them together, two protons don't weigh a heck of a lot, and aren't going to be vastly attractive to other particles.

Somebody had their pants on fire in New York...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080926/ap_en_tv/mccain_letterman

I fell asleep after my huge solo Sunday dinner and now find myself quasi-awake at this godforsaken time. Hang on.
Yup, it's me.

Since the boodle is quiet after quite an exciting Sunday I'm amusing myself by washing (drying too!) and putting away my summer togs. It's really not as amusing as one might think. Kinda depressing to be honest. O well.

I hope white shoes and belts are drip dry, I'm pretty sure they shouldn't go in the machine.

God loves us so much more than we can imagine through Him that died for all, Jesus Christ.

Good morning, friends. Well, it is Monday, a great day for going back to work if one has been off the weekend. A good place to get some rest. I hope the weekend was a blast for everyone.

Slyness, Martooni, Scotty, Mudge, good mornig to you, and to all.*waving*

bc
Check in with Slyness. I'm trying to get it together. I need help.

The weather here is back to its original, meaning it is warm again, real warm yesterday. I have lots to do today to gear up for the week ahead.

Shiloh, thanks for the explaination of the bailout. I would love to read it, although I probably won't understand much of it. That is so much money, I cannot wrap my mind around those numbers.

Welcome new person. I don't like your user name, it's like calling you an ugly word, and I don't want to do that. Please stick around, we really enjoy new people. We're harmless.

Happy Birthday, Jumper. I hope you have many more. Your story about your dog is odd. My neighbor's dog used to come to my house for her morning hot dog. I suppose I was doing the same thing your neighbor is doing now. I was seriously in love with my neighbor's dog. My neighbor was into an unmentionable trade, and the dog dug up her wares and brought them to me. I nearly had a heart attack. All of it was lined up in my yard. I think my neighbor's dog was seriously in love with me too. And this dog had a French name. Ah....love.

Have a great day, folks. The situation in our country just might be looking up. I hope so anyway.

Time to swim.

'Morning, Boodle, Cassandra. Good to see you up and about.

I read a few bailout pieces on the op-ed (the J.P. Morgan piece was good, though I already knew the story), but have more to go. Fareed Zakariah says Palin is unqualified, doesn't mince words about McCain's failure to "put country first."

Too bad about the Iggles. BIG weekend for upsets; the pro pickers at ESPN did horribly.

OK, gotta run.

Buried in the WSJ, but still found.

Todd feels Sarah not spending enough time with family, friends and Alaskan staff; new trainers being brought in to prepare Sarah for Thursday's debate (first task, erase what she's already been taught!). Family to join Sarah at McCain's Sedona ranch to cram:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122265784614384667.html

'morning all. Zakariah's call for Sarah Palin to resign reminded me of a cruel byline in a British newspaper. Things are not going well for Labour and Brown's Transport Minister just announced she would not seek re-election for the usual reasons. The headline read "Rat leaves ship to spend more time with family".

Good morning, you all. That was a funny dog story Cassandra, true neighborly devotion, :-).

kbertocci, thank you for the outstanding poem. Just the right thoughts. We have a Joyce Kilmer Middle School and a Kilmer Center for the Intellectual Disabled right here in Fairfax Co.

I still have a little book "Poems for the Childrens' Hour" that I received and loved as a child. Very worn, much used, but not abandoned.

Bonjour les Boodleurs.

Fine morning for patrolling (Brag waves and releases the brakes).

Vroom.

Happy Monday all. I'm looking forward to a fun weekend. Cassandra and I are getting the act together to come. This thing is working out so well I think God has smiled on us!

Cassandra's coming? How did I miss this? Great news!

Great news about Cassandra! Yay!

Need help. Didn't watch talking heads all weekend. Did they try/succeed to re-write what happened in the debate?

I did see L. Graham, do a "whatever, Obama won; I'm tired" thing.

Holy Cow -- Cassandra and slyness are coming! Woo-hoo!!!

And a belated HBTY, Jumper.

Just a quick drive-through.

Toodles.

Slyness: You drive safely on the way the eh MBPH. I'll be at yet another band competition.

I read Zakarias' column last night before I hit the rack, and read Dionne's piece this morning. One could reasonably conclude that the McCain campaign's strategy is not on script. I'm wary of the announcement that there is consensus on the bailout. Rep. Boehner was on the radio this a.m., and gave the package a ho-hum chance of passing a vote by the House. I get the impression that the package is like a house of cards. Wachovia may be bought out by the end of the week. This is beginning to get the feel of Boris and Natasha: "Stroke, stroke, stroke! Bail, Bail, Bail!"

So Citi's taking over Wachovia, which itself was the product of the merger of two Charlotte, NC banks.

Come to think of it, what does this do to Charlotte's status as a financial center? I guess Bank of America (including the former NCNB/North Carolina National Bank) is too big to be bought by, say, Banco Santander.

To think that only 35 years ago, North Carolina was nearly unique in the US in allowing statewide banking. NCNB already had ATMs and they offered me (a mere grad student) a BankAmericard. All unheard-of in Pennsylvania at the time. The only glitch was that the ATM used the credit card, which it tended to eat. So it was risky to rely on the machine for money for food for the weekend.

Morning all, looks like the in-laws should be OK they were in the hardest hit area (wind) but storm weakened so after landfall.

Jack, check the headlines on Wachovia - MSNBC announced deal with Citibank.

Cassandra, so sorry I will miss you at the MBPH (and everyone else).

Have any of you ever messed about with super-saturated solutions? These are liquids in which the amount of dissolved substance is greater than what the liquid can normally support. It takes just the tiniest jolt or the most miniscule bit of something to cause a huge crystal to rapidly form. That's what watching the current political environment is like.

Tiny nuggets of information quickly expand to form huge jagged crystals of "conventional wisdom." It's a nonlinear process in which opinion begets opinion. It's fascinating to watch, but also kinda frustrating. I mean, take that "Obama and the bracelet" business. If you go over to memeorandum.com , you can see that the reality of the situation is much more complex than some have asserted. But once the crystallization process has begun, it's hard to reverse.

Citigroup just announced a deal to buy Wachovia.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/29/AR2008092900708.html?hpid=topnews

It would not surprise me if the bailout measure passed by exactly one vote. Lots of people want it to pass, but don't want to be on record in support of it.

*trying to come up to speed*

A Palinesque financial story:

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- The credit crisis has forced together more shotgun weddings than in the families of Alaskan politicians.

Washington Mutual Inc. (WM, Trade ) and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM, Trade ), Merrill Lynch & Co. (MER, Trade ) and Bank of America Corp. (BAC, Trade ), Mitsubishi UFJ and Morgan Stanley (MS, Trade ) -- these stand out as a few of the odd couples forced together by balance sheets pregnant with toxic securities
..................................

Market expected to slide today. Hope the slope is not too slippery - and tomorrow may be even worse as hedge fund owners get their quarterly chance to back out. Woebetide the market if the EESA fails.

From about 5 p.m. and onward into the night, we were watching the reporting about Wachovia by NYT duo Dash and Sorkin. Their earlier lede grafs were revised by around 10 p.m., with the updated story printed in today's dead-tree NYT. Now even that story is old news.

It's now "Citchovia," folks.

What I wasn't aware of, as I read Dash's and Sorkin's reporting, was how close current Wachovia CEO Robert K. Steele is or was to Paulson, having worked with Paulson at both Goldman Sachs and the Treasury Department.

Steele arrived in July, and it was former CEO Ken Thompson (G. Kennedy Thompson) who signed the framed certificate noting my husband's 15 years of employment, about 97 percent of that time with World Savings. Since Thompson was actually fired rather than traditionally retired, he got only $8.65 million in payout.

Three different corporate owners in about 24 months. That's a little more volatility than I'd like to report in our lives. Who'da ever thought that Loomispouse would be working for the banking descendant company of cousin James Stillman's little operation, formerly known as National City Bank of New York, the first bank with $1 billion in assets?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citigroup

The "pregnant with toxic securities" quip gave me a moment of imagining the A in EESA as Abortionist instead of Act, i.e, terminating the toxic mortgages to save the mother bank's life. Then I realized that if conservatives in Congress thought that, the legislation is dead - a stillborn baby. A gruesome analogy in either event.

RD, your 8:45 has crystalized this thought for me: Is Congress is trying to pass a gigantic You'reKiddingMe Bailout stone?

Is this going to hurt?

bc

Yes, RD, lots of people will want to avoid the vote - but if the bailout works, I guarantee you almost all of them will have supported it. Success revises memories. In the early '90s Oklahoma City voted itself a sales tax for civic improvements - a canal, new ballpark, civic center, new library, etc etc. The project had all the civic and business leaders united behind it. At the time it barely passed, and then only because people figured things couldn't get worse. It was a brilliant success, spurring lots of private investment. Now pretty much everyone you talk to says they voted for it. The interesting thing is they believe it, too. It was such a success, they'd have been fools not to support it. Since that tax expired we've voted two more successive similar taxes, for schools and more civic improvement. Both have passed by wide margins.

Citiwach, a bay watch derivative, would probably attract more attractive depositors in better shape.

I'm having a John Donne moment waiting for the opening bell on Wall Street - "Ask not for whom the bell tolls..." I know it's going to be a downer, it's just how much that has me dreading the bell.

Loomis, sorry to hear about hubby's job at banco du Jour.

I once worked for a small (4-paper) newspaper chain that had three owners in the 13 or 14 months I was there. I got laid off, and then they gave my job to my assistant, a woman, at about half my previous pittance of a salary; the *&^%$# wouldn't even pay her what they were paying me, which was the whole idea--to "save money" by taking advantage of her). The whole chain went under a few months later, and good riddance. They had the moral scruples of Charles Manson.

I missed a won't-use-the-word yesterday?

Darn.

*delayed-by-the-ever-efficient-Brunswik-wing-of-the-Dawn-Patrol-but-particularly-sproingy-cuz'-we're-getting-yet-another-oh-so-special-MBPH-guest Grover waves*

:-)

Scotty, I thought you were doing the Snoopy dance because of the Redskins. I know I am.

One thing at a time, 'Mudge.

*doing a little extra stretching*

OMG, Cassandra's retriever-dog story is the funniest yet. I hope Cap'n Chucky can use that one. And thanks, Cassandra and all others for the kind birthday wishes.

My wife went to college in the 80s and banked with BB&T because they were the only one with a branch in her little college town. Now it's also a national behemoth. I still trip up and call Bank of America NCNB all the time. It's just one of those fluke positive feedback loops that all those Charlotte banks metastasized at once.

Shiloh,
very interesting thoughts. I have this feeling that we will end up with maybe 6 to 8 multi-regional banks, when we are done.

The overseas markets were down a lot last night, and the Dow's down over 200 after less than an hour of trading.

Granted, as volitile as things have been lately, it's entirely possible that the market could be up 500 at the end of the day.

I think people remain skeptical of the Bailout Stone. Probably would have been better if someone other than the President announced it this AM. Like Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan.

bc

New kit!

I kinda wish Paris and Lindsay had been more involved in the bailout negotiations. At least they wouldn't have gotten their knickers in a twist.

Yello, I opened a checking account with NCNB in 1977 and have been with that bank through about four name changes. Mr. T and both the dottirs bank with Wachovia. In all three of their cases, it's because they had accounts with First Union before the merger.

Now I'm watching through my fingers to see what happens. I know lots of folks employed by Wachovia here, and the situation is scary. It will have a heavy impact on this whole region.

McCain is so 20th century. Flapping his arms, punding his fist, talking mindlessly about "victory" and never surrendering as though Iraq or Al Quaeda have their foot on our necks demanding that we cry "Uncle!"

Look. McCain is a product of his times. He is the one who doesn't understand. We have the most lethal, advanced military machine ever devised in history. Does he not know how utterly silly he sounds when he barks: "We will never surrender! We will fight! Fight! Fight!" Even that mantra sounds lilke he thinks he is Churchill and this is 1940.

Whoever had to deliver the newspaper today must have had a hard time scrounging up the gasoline, because it just got here. I had a sudoku jones going on.

Around these parts, a man named Hugh McCall is well known for forging NCNB and then NationsBank into a powerhouse and culminated in the BOFA merger. Hugh is now semi-retired. Wonder what an interview with him would reveal about the current events.

*sprinkles some bait in front of the bunker door*

Where is that sneaky little bugger?
I can't believe he broke that last trap.

Somebody say something vaguely-critical of the current administration.

Hi joel its sophie reveal I'm at school and that was a great article i agree McCain never made any sense while answering his questions great article