POPPIN'

Thank God we live in San Francisco. The battery in my '87 Ford Ranger pick-up pretty much died a week ago, but since the whole city is on hills, we can just roll it and pop the clutch; a trick I re-learned last week.
It's so much fun I kinda don't want to get a new battery.

UPDATE: OK. Two days later, I want to replace the battery, now.

STATE OF THE UNION

Some quick thoughts on last night's constitutionally mandated monologue:

AIDS A surprisingly correct thing to do and a shocker to nearly everyone. Who cares why he's stepping up to help, as long as it gets done. (NEWSWEEK: But focusing on AIDS was a tactical ploy: Bush wants to show the world that he’s more than just a trigger-happy cowboy. He’s a compassionate trigger-happy cowboy.)


Big Finish Did anyone else notice the cell phone in the balcony as the President stumbled over his concluding sentence? Speaker Hassert did, cause he was giving the person a dirty look as the speech closed. That was the weakest finish since St. Elsewhere.

Hitlerism - After the seemly random use of the word Hitlerism, one guest at our SotU Potluck asked: "Is that even a word?"
To which another answered, "Maybe he meant 'Hitlerific'".

Polls - There was just no 'there' there. Pew Research has him slipping more and more:

XXXXVII

Anyone else notice that this is an all pirate Super Bowl?

Question 23

Nothing is ever simple in San Francisco:

23. What is your gender?
Female
Male
MTF
FTM
Intersex
Multigendered or Gender fluid
Rather not say
Other (please specify)

HIGH DRAMA

I don't understand why people are bored with politics. Even if you just check in every few weeks (like a soap opera), national politics it's a great show.

If you're watching the White House lately, you can tell that their heads' just aren't in the game. Between leaked memos, terrible site advance, poorly vetted appointees and allies turning on them, the White House is having a tough week. With all of this leading up to Tuesday's State of the Union, I think the real fireworks are about to begin.

WHERE YOU FROM?

My folks live in Colorado, but they're from Illinois. I grew up in Colorado, went to school in North Carolina and lived my adult life in New York and San Francisco.
We don't always agree on how stuff is pronounced.
Harvard is helping us out: The Maps.

[see "aunt", "coupon", and "the night before Halloween"]

Neither Justice, Nor Peace

Now, that was an impressive rally.
Congrats to ANSWER.

Five Years

Five years ago, I decided I wanted to work a little in politics. I went with a mentor of mine to a New York Democratic Party breakfast in the restaurant under Barney's. On the program was a panel of strategists, writers and DeeDee Meyers, Bill Clinton's first press secretary. The moderator opened with, "Forget the original topics. I couldn't get this panel to talk about anything other than the Drudge Report, anyway." Then Ms. Meyers simply said, "I'm so happy not to have my old job."

Five years ago, a little, belt-way gossip rag "rocked the world" by breaking a story about the US President and an intern.
Happy Anniversary Drudge Report.

Dr. Feelgood

A Newark, OH surgeon "admitted to three instances when his intoxication or concerns that he was intoxicated affected his actions while driving, while in an airport, and in one case, while performing laser eye surgery" The Advocate (the Ohio news service, not the gay magazine).

He'll be back on the job in October.

Oh, and also: Holy Shit!
I can't find my keys after a couple - how is this guy performing laser surgery?

RSS

Yeah, I added an RSS feed. Now, you can read this site on your MP3 player or somehting. RSS link: www.b-may.com/rss.xml.

THE DRAFT

Bring it, back. Yeah, do it.

I think the moment there is a national service draft re-instated and members of Congress understand that they are placing randomly selected Americans at risk, they won't view future military action the same way they viewed the last Persian Gulf War: like an Atari game.

I believe in civil service. I think every American should spend some time in public service. Two Korean war vets in Congress are proposing a re-introduction of the draft, "so as to ensure a "shared sacrifice" among Americans serving in the armed forces". Good for them!

UPDATE: Sure, I would support raising the age ceiling to include me.

REV. 911

In the '80s the Reverend Al Sharpton was knows in Harlem and Washington Heights as 'Rev. 911', the guy you called when things went bad. Having never held elected office, no large organization behind him and possessing terrible relations with the Democratic Party, this loudmouth, Pentecostal minister is now running for President of the United States.

Fantastic!

The godson of the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, Rev. Al's been in the middle of the right fight (Howard Beach incident), the wrong fight (Tawana Brawley), and often accused of raising racial tensions - or at least bringing them to light.

Sure, I could get more votes than he could in a general election, but he'll remind us that millions in this country do not identify with the 6-10 rich white guys that will run for the job. He'll pull the Dem's choice left and remind folks that Bush doesn't serve the constituency Sharpton's served for 30+ years.

He's a buffoon. But, he's great at it.

CHAGRIN
Tall and beautiful. Talented and very funny.
I love her more because she falls down. A lot.
Chagrin and the Men I Have Loved