Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

good morning, craig. "starts" typo in 2nd paragraph.

voices from the past with pasts:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081112/ap_on_re_us/disgraced_ex_congressman

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/11/john.edwards/

I keep wondering if GWB will do something stupid in the next ten weeks, just to complete his reign of incompetence.

and here is harry's reply:

Dear Mrs. Roosevelt:

I am sorry that I have been so long in thanking you for the little donkey which you sent me for my desk.

He certainly is in a typical mulish attitude and, as the President used to say, when I have a hard decision to make I will look at him, think of you and the President, and then try to make the best decision.

Sincerely yours,

[truman library archives]

mr. d,
if? more like when?

"... Once having decided something, the obstinate little donkey kept his sense of humor and determination going against great pressure."

Thanks for that adorable story Craig. It's the little things that count. :)

Yeah. I guess it is when. Another thing. How much of a f**k up do you need to be in order to not have credibility? Why does Bill Kristol have a forum at the NY Times? Shouldn't neo-conservatism be a discredited political philosophy, sort of like isolationism and communism?

you're looking perky this morning, chloe. pull up a chair. grab a warm, fresh from the oven cinnamon roll, steaming cuppa, and join mr. d and me in our musings.

Thanks Pat.
You are always so sweet, and I've always appreciated it.
But I don't think I can do this anymore.
Have a good one. :)

"I don't think I can do this anymore."

but, chloe, we need you.

the neo-cons made it possible for a LOT of money to be made available for "stashing away" by various neo-connish entities.......over the last 8 years.......they'll wait till something happens (even if they have to make it happen) and the "public" begs them to return and save them........It's still a mess, and it aint going away just cause w did his business and is out the door.....

"....it aint going away just cause w did his business and is out the door....."

sturge, the smell that lingers after one does their business

ooo-ooo, that SMELL.........

--Lynnard Skynnard (?)

Stuborn Donkey....

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/11/a-memorable-transition.html#comment-172392

I to am very concerned that Bush will do something at a min complacent again - as which lack of action allowed this crisis - and give into the highly rated congress - again.

But a donkey can not change the facts - but can rewrite the words just words of the story

Can't you smell that smell? It is now surronding !!!

skynnard, sturge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L07W8W_RZJM

Well, Stinky and I are now great grandparents. The child is exceptionally beautiful and totally without peer in the realm of babydom.

Maybe Stinky and I will have a glass of champagne this afternoon offering a toast to Autumn Kim, and to her parents who have indeed created a marvelous baby.

I'd like to see someone do a study of Thom Friedman's "brilliant" observations and suggestions on both American foreign policy and economics. He seems to flip between nation building and not with ease.

Chloe......"Hang in there......"

http://www.strangezoo.com/images/content/14639.JPG

And yes, I fully expect Bush to pull a lot of things between now and January. The problem will be that most will be under the table. Just like his environmental impact.

Congrats on little Autumn Kim, Flatus!

mornin' all.

Yes, Ping. Still POed about the election, I see. Unable to defend the indefensible, you begin throwing the indefensible's poo. Wear goggles and wash your hands. Good morning.

Craig you sure that donkey was Roosevelt's? Reminds me of Bush.

just like the past 8 years, he's going to do for the next 2 months exactly whatever he and the chain-man CAN do.........and even some things they can't....I hope someone is watching closely.

yep.

Watched a show about Lee Atwater (what a piece of work he was) on PBS last night. There were interviews from a very young W during 41's campaign. Not much of a drawl and he was actually quite well-spoken. What in the heck happened? W's "doofus" personality is just a sham?

Also a clip of young Karl Rove wearing those giant, plastic 80's eyeglasses; if he had gelled his already-thinning hair, he would've looked very "Flock of Seagulls."

Did Howard Dean have some work done?

Flatus -
Congrats to the new Grand's !!! A beautiful name - Autumn Kim.....

The world smiles

Happy grandparent-ing! Cheers!

"Congrats on little Autumn Kim, Flatus! "

Thank you, Patsi. I have a feeling that another trip to Korea is going to be on the agenda!

Criag - a grade of A for the day showing the diversity -

Pogo - Nope - Mixed feelings - I Hope The Obama that caught my attention shows up..

These are very interesting times...

Hey - Bush was so complacent at least Obama will be honest about his bad policy. Yup Obama has brought in all new faces to surrond himself....

So if his trend continues - he will soon be centric.

He wants to be in office more then one term - so I am on his radar..

John McCain on Jay --- Was great..

Off to my evil world........

Ping, Bush was a lot of things, but complacent? Maybe with respect to Cheney's agendaand to the wishes of his constituent groups, but from my perspective he aggressively pushed his priorities to and through a complcaent (or perhaps complicit) congress. His failures were not from his complacency IMHO. And we both hope the Obama that inspired 9 states that voted for W in '04 to flip to blue not only shows up but puts up.

flatus, congrats - big year. New kid, new grandkid. Life is good, no?

Here's the best part of a good wiki on Mrs Roosevelt:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_Roosevelt#Public_Life_Before_the_White_House

It talks about a 1933 New Yorker cartoon of Mrs Roosevelt checking on miners underground in a coal mine. I remember the cartoon well as it was in one of the saved New Yorkers that were always available in our house.

This Bush-bit is simply astonishing, considering how he allowed aides to trash talk the Clintons as they were leaving the White House:

"Bush also said that before he met with the president-elect, he called former President Clinton to recall a similar meeting the two had after Bush was elected.

"I said `Bill, I'm getting ready to meet with the new president and I remember how gracious you were to me,'" Bush said. "'I hope I can be as gracious to President-elect Obama as you were to me.'"

Flatus
Congratulations to you and Stinky -great!

In California we are moving on to discuss the gov's race -18 months away.

"U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is the early favorite on the Democratic side of the 2010 race for governor, and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman is attracting attention in a likely battle for the GOP nomination, a new Field Poll shows."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/12/MN35142JQL.DTL&tsp=1

http://lachlan.bluehaze.com.au/usa2001/hyde_park2001/17jul2001e/mvc-007f.jpg

Here's that cartoon, flatus.

"Flatus, congrats - big year. New kid, new grandkid. Life is good, no?"

Indeed! Even better than the above tally--four new grandkids, now this great grand kid, and another great grand daughter due in January. Overwhelming to say the least.

Flatus: congratulations on the grandbaby! Wonderful to hear. Is she close enough geographically for you and S to see her grow up?

Craig: really liked your column today.

Being stubborn can be good, too, if one's thought it through and sticks to one's guns/principles, whatever. But one has to be adaptable and reflect on new information/situation on the ground changing too.

Anyway, better a mule than an ostrich.

=====

Cannot fathom why Bill Kristol was given a New York Times column, or retains it. They need to find another conservative columnist, and one with better powers of observation and synthesizing information. Kristol's a parody.

'This Bush-bit is simply astonishing, considering how he allowed aides to trash talk the Clintons as they were leaving the White House:' Patsi

Brad Blakeman and Fox was repeating the ridiculous story all last week and saying what a gracious guy Shrub is ...made me throw up a little

RFK Jr. wrote a piece that I saved a year or so ago. It was about the vitriol against Eleanor Roosevent, and Hillary Clinton. I loved the article so much, because my mother used to get a massive case of outrage when people started in about Mrs. Roosevelt, one of Mom's personal heroes.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-f-kennedy-jr/hillary-haters-and-the-ro_b_76573.html

Flatus

Congrats on the new grand baby

Looks like you need to shop for a bigger dinning room table for those family get togethers.

Jack

"Is she close enough geographically for you and S to see her grow up?"

No, Dog, she's in our Korean branch of the family so that will be difficult.

And a thanks to KGC and Ping and others as well. Isn't it wonderful how a new baby makes us all feel good?

Flatus...welcome to your beautiful grand baby...how wonderful.

I believe HRC did channel and copy Eleanor in her wonderful style of sending notes and remembering special times? HRC has a great reputation for doing so...

I have often wondered why the dems did get stuck with a donkey as they are more wishy washy than stubborn. Cupid would have been a better mascot. Make love, not war.

Obama to allow lobbyists on transition team

PRESS DEMOCRAT NEWS SERVICES
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081112/NEWS08/811120372/1350?Title=Obama_to_allow_lobbyists_on__transition_team

well that didn't take long

I think Kristol is worse than a parody. I think Kristol and his crowd contribute to a dangerous kind of group think. The current climate is so susceptible to misinformation becoming "coventional wisdom." Things that were never said or were misreported, events that never happened or that have been distorted, become widely repeated as fact. This is not owned solely by neocons and wing nuts, though they are the worst of the lot.

Congratulations Flatus and Stinky! Will the wee one get a "breezy" nickname?

Congratulations, Flatus.

"I have often wondered why the dems did get stuck with a donkey "

I agree, BlondeW! I love elephants and it pisses me off that the Republicans get to use those fabulous animals as their mascot.

Patsi, BW

I believe we can blame the cartoonist Thomas Nast

Patsi

My farmer is moving back to the Memphis area to start a CSA for next year --I think they are calling it Delta Sol --I'll post more information as I get it. His name is Brandon Pugh and he grew up in the area and has been traveling around the country learning about new ways to farm and now he is returning home. I highly recommend a "farm share" experience for everyone.

Senator Franken
http://www.alternet.org/democracy/106625/why_al_franken_will_be_minnesota%27s_next_senator/

Norm Coleman is the unworthy and slimy place holder of Senator Wellstone's seat. Franken will have to everything steam cleaned.

Will Norm have to give his veneers back?

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2008/11/11/al-gore-colin-powell-caroline-kennedy-in-obamas-administration.htm

gossip, whispers and rumors

HEHEH. The best laid plans of mice and men ...

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15530.html

Apparently Bush's crack legal advisors overlooked this little ditty until too late. I hope Obama and Congress have teams compiling lists of every boneheaded regulation Bushco finalized less than 60 days before Oct. 3 (if I understand the CRA timeframes and date of Congress' adjournment correctly) and have JRs prepped to reverse them. If Congress reconvenes to try and pass a bailout for the automakers, they would need to look at everyything within 60 days of that adjournment.

Thanks KGC...I see Bingaman is mentioned as well as Richardson...they were the first in New Mexico to throw their support to Obama. Rewards to a party of jackasses, I suppose. Time for change? Yep, the mascot goes first!

"Will the wee one get a "breezy" nickname?"

Ivy, I think we will reserve the nicknames for the domestic side of the family--I know something would get lost in translation should the names leak out. (Can't believe I just said that--but I did!)

And, now, Stinky has told me to get off my butt and go rake leaves. Sigh.

Poll tests Specter-Matthews race in 2010

As my colleague Michael Calderone teased earlier, a new poll out shows MSNBC gabber Chris Matthews running competitively against Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), who is up for re-election in 2010.

The poll, conducted by the automated firm Public Policy Polling, shows Specter leading Matthews 40 to 27 percent in a hypothetical matchup, with 33 percent of voters undecided. Matthews, however, would bleed a lot of Democratic support: 30 percent of Democrats said they would vote for Specter over Matthews.

The poll also showed only 31 percent of African-American voters supporting Matthews, an ominously low total. Specter wins 25 percent of the black vote in the poll, while 44 percent are undecided.

“Arlen Specter would definitely start out as the favorite if Chris Matthews challenged him,” said Public Policy Polling president Dean Debnam. “But this poll provides clear evidence that a Matthews candidacy is not a non-starter.”

http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/1108/Specter_tops_Matthews_in_PA.html?showall

Thomas Nast...

Interesting, Jack...fascinating story...

ROFL, Flatus!

Jack...the colors for dems and repugs used to be reversed. Blue for repugs, red for dems, but it was changed for communist reasons : ) Again, we know of the origin of the reference, but how did it continue to stick? Beast of burden, no more. Stubborn and mule headed? Obstinate and unmoving? The elephant should not be represent the party of sham. Too noble and intelligent...I agree with Patsi.

KGC -- The WSJ has the long knives out for Franken.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122644940271419147.html

Nast was a mugwump.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/11/a-memorable-transition.html#comment-172442

Flatus, lol! Btw, do you compost your leaves?

BlondeW -- after Jack posted that Nast info, I tracked down this bit of history:

http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/06/history_of_the.php

Also -- Blonde -- Tennessee can be a frustrating place to live. (There's a saying here, "It could be worse. We could be Alabama.)

But Tennessee has a wonderful elephant sanctuary. Here's some of the ones they's saved:

http://www.elephants.com/bios.htm

Thanks, Patsi...from the article --

"Although the Democrats have never officially adopted the donkey as a party symbol, we have used various donkey designs on publications over the years. The Republicans have actually adopted the elephant as their official symbol and use their design widely."

Makes sense the repugs would act on adopting the elephant...and the dems not willing to do so with the donkey. Pin the tail on the donkey used to be a favorite childhood game for me...is that game still around?

Patsi

The Wall St Journal is criticizing the Franken campaign for acting like the Shrub Republicans....how droll...instead making sure every voe counts.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/11/a-memorable-transition.html#comment-172452

LOL. Patsi, and in Alabama, we used to say "Thank god for Mississippi - keeps us from being last in everything"

KGC -- I thought the same thing when I read that piece of garbage about the recount. But as the piece you linked points out -- there is a paper trail. Life will be good if Coleman and Chambliss are OUT.

Elephants really should not be Republicans. Elephants are sensitive, intelligent, and have the good sense to be organized as a matriarchy. That doesn't describe any Republican I know.

Congratulations Flatus,

If one must be a great grandparent then getting the most beautiful and peerless infant the realm of babydom is a good exchange.

Welcome to the world Autumn Kim.

Too bad the WSJ is following the now traditional gooper innuendo campaign - we can't show that anything is wrong with the recount or that the Franken camp has done anything to affect the results, so we'll just suggest that the corrections made so far are patisan and untruthful, impugn the guy overseeing it as a partisan hack and throw in ACORN for good measure - that ought to call the recount into question.

the neo-cronies are patient and take a very long view of global affairs....remember how long ago they came up with this PNAC crap and tried to foist it off on whomever was in there at the time.......but they had to wait for the bush.......and Kristol is just a mouthpiece for them.....assured of a job, he will continue to spout.....and they will wait.....

hat-tip to Anon-P

Flatus, Congratus........kids are jake with me, all the way..........

Good Morning Folks

Today's thread on The BackChannel Blog

Yes We Did, An Essay In Pictures By Chef Sheila

http://clistersbackchannel.wordpress.com/

Have a great Dday To Everyone!

Patsi

Chambliss and Coleman two who should NEVER been elected in the first place

I noticed John Edwards first public appearance went well as it was very controlled...no questions of the affair. It was reported that Elizabeth Edwards is not wearing her wedding ring. Maybe Mudcat knows more....

Flatus -- Congratulations on your new great grandchild. That is lovely news. Children are a joy and give us all hope for the future. Welcome, Autumn Kim!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/11/a-memorable-transition.html#comment-172453

Kids still love to play "pin the tail on the donkey" although we modify it now -- put the nose on the clown, the nose on the jack-o-lantern, tail on the pig. I think Dover Publications had a retro donkey game in one of their recent catalogs.

Blonde Wino
No ring and apparently living apart...
http://www.news-record.com/content/2008/11/10/article/elizabeth_edwards_back_to_battle_for_health_care

But she spoke publicly about healthcare issues this week and was great.

Thanks, Diva. Thanks, KGC.

Off to work...2008 sure will be a year to remember for the dems...alas, an elephant never forgets, but a jackass is forever.

Good article on Elizabeth, KGC-- maybe she'll be a part of the health care repair team.

Tenth Anniversary Jackass Calendar

http://www.jackass.net/

Morning all, just enjoying a cuppa and catching up on Listers.

I think it was mentioned here last week, but I was watching CNN 2 days ago and they were talking about Obama's appearance last Friday. They said he looked great all throughout the campaign, but he looked visibly tired on Friday. They said that was 2 days after his big security briefing. I think he realized what he is in for. It won't be an easy job.

ivy...thanks...they have a caption contest!

Cute Calendar. I submitted a caption.

Chole

you can't go ---who is going to interpret for me when i mangle the english language----and you can't cheyenne with you

Flatus, congatulations

Hi all... This is off topic and yet fits in the whole notion of disillusionment with government and war...

http://www.opb.org/radio/archives/2007/04/there_was_no_ch_1.php

On this link you can hear a radio interview with one of the survivors from Jonestown. He is a vietnam vet and became part of Jonestown because of his anger at the US government and wanted to support a communal vision for the future. The man watched his 1 year old son and wife being killed with cyanide. He also extrapolates the anger he felt with the same anger over 9/11, the patriot act, and the surrender of our civil liberties (so that's the connection I have made). The man is quite articulate... but listening to some of this can be quite disturbing. But he was there, in the midst of it all, and it's a history that is worth knowing.

Flatus
At first, I was going to make a crack about spoiling the the child, but as I slid down the thread I see you've had some degree of practice already.

Cheers to you and yours.

Blue -
I watched the Atwater program as well , and seeing it I had another small marker that an era has really ended with Obama's election.

Stabbing Ed Rollins in the back, and then begging him for help at the end. How Republican.

IBM Hired to Develop Power-Line Broadband

The system works by using standard power lines to carry a radio-frequency signal in the magnetic field that surrounds the wires. The signal is continuously amplified by low-priced repeater boxes clamped to the lines. When an electricity customer signs up for broadband services, the supplier mails out a special modem that is plugged into the wall outlet where the computer is plugged in. Pricing starts at $29.95 a month, International Broadband says.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122644998675019183.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday lifted restrictions on the Navy's use of sonar in training exercises off the California coast, a defeat for environmental groups who say the sonar can harm whales.

The court, in its first decision of the term, voted 5-4 that the Navy needs to conduct realistic training exercises to respond to potential threats by enemy submarines.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ifiaOAaDtMvC-0eCfFr3aLRLXgYAD94DFKH00

Anon

Thanks for the link on electric cos and broadband. The technology has been around a long time, glad to see it is going to be commercially available. Competition is good.

Memories -campaign of 2004 Both Kerry and Shrub promise free broadband!

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/09/kerry_broadband.html

Explore Ancient Rome With Google Earth

Through the magic of Google Earth you can now travel back in time to see Ancient Rome and all of its architecture in full 3D. The feature was developed by the Rome Reborn Project which aims to recreate a 3D representation of the ancient city of Rome from the year 320 AD, at the peak of the city's development

http://www.pcworld.com/article/153730/explore_ancient_rome_with_google_earth.html

KGC-

I'm still waiting on my "Free Lunch".

Space Urine to be Recycled into Drinking Water

"There's five containers of waste water from the Russian toilet to start the regeneration system going," said Magnus.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/florida/news-article.aspx?storyid=123576&catid=4

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/11/a-memorable-transition.html#comment-172477

Jamie, if you win let us know! lol

Unbelievable! The $700 billion bailout is also being used to finance the gluttonous credit card industry. Talk about targeting the money to the wrong sector. I am appalled.

DON'T BE A SLAVE TO YOUR MASTERCARD! - My personal mantra

The Tang Syndrome -

I posted the Urine to drinking water story because it contains yet another example of government spending. And how it can be spun. If I was the ghost of Lee Atwater, I could use it to ridcule someone. Take something people know absolutely zero about, that involves a bodily function, and uses taxpayer money. It's perfect political ammo.

But buried in the article here's what this thing is supposed to do :
"This system can recover moisture exhaled in the crew's breath, evaporated sweat, water used for washing, and, yes, urine. And make it pure enough to drink."

If you think that Tang is the only thing the space program has given us, think again.

Hopeful signs on health care

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/hopeful-signs-on-health-care/

Senators Hurry to Keep Health Care in Forefront

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/11/AR2008111102511.html

I enjoyed the post, Craig. Thanks.

Before we leave the wistful remembrances of FDR, let's paws for a moment for Fala. "Biting Barney" notwithstanding, the Scottie dog as a symbol of hope and peace at Christmas stems in part from Fala's constant presence throughout the war at FDR's side. He is celebrated each November during "Fala Day" in Warm Springs, GA.

http://www.warmspringsga.com/calendarofevents.htm#nov

In defense of Barney, I don't think he's "a biter" by nature. I fault the handler for the recent incident...Barney's stance was sending a clear "don't touch" signal, but the handler permitted the approach anyway. In past years, Barney has participated in the annual children's' party with no incident. Scotties, by the way, shed little, and therefore make good allergy-dogs.

Anon,
lol, that crazy survival guy that gets dropped into the unknown and has a week to find his way out always ends up drinking his urine, filtered one way or another of course. Obviously NASA has the most sophisticated methods.

anon - Lee Atwater came off as the smarmiest of the smarmy. Karl Rove took good notes. But, did you notice how much more well-spoken W was at the time? Adopted the Texas persona for political expedience just like Papa Bush, I suppose. Only saw a head-shot of Rove, but I could just imagine him wearing parachute pants, playing a key-tar.

Let's hope Obama finds a place for someone as smart as Elizabeth Edwards on his team.

Why does GM need a bailout? If AIG has insured them with credit swaps & AIG is already getting a gov't handout, isn't GM lining it's corporate pockets with tinfoil so it can haul off a double-helping of shrimp from the party? Everyone seems to think this is an all-you-can-eat buffet.

"I watched the Atwater program as well , and seeing it I had another small marker that an era has really ended "

I fear it has merely expanded to include more of the population. Personal destruction is the norm now.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/11/a-memorable-transition.html#comment-172491

Given the number of people now on earth, it wouldn't be too far fetched in the future to have each home providing its own "water" supply.

Hi to eprof2 & ty! Long time, no post.

If anyone has a better grasp of the AIG/GM credit swap issue, and that would probably be most of you, why does GM need the gov't handout if they've already covered their nut through AIG?

jamie - I refuse to wear a "still suit" a la the Dune trilogy.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/11/a-memorable-transition.html#comment-172496

Ivy, I concur about Scotties. They are wonderful dogs unless you want a cat as well. Keeping Scotty from mistaking Furball for a little badger and doing to her what Scotties are bred to do to badgers would take some intense training. :-)

They are very devoted and sweet tempered dogs with the family they have adopted as their own. They make rather unobtrusive guard dogs because they are so fiercely protective, have a lot of muscle, and unusually long canines with a powerful jaw. .... a robber might be mistaken for a badger as well. :-)

Mr. D: Something like this maybe??

Changing the rules in the final days

As the Bush administration heads for the exit, it is leaving behind a not-so-welcome gift to the nation in the form of new regulations that aren't in the national interest and will hamstring the new leadership in Washington for months, if not years.

http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/767478.html

blue,

No Spice for you!!!

Blue -
I tried to muster some sympathy for Atwater, but all in all I was just impressed by his Karma.

As for Bush, cocaine makes smooth talkers of us all. That greasy complexion, and the glassy eyes. He was speedin' a thousand miles an hour.

Mmmm, melange.

The Havanese is a wonderful breed of dog; good for allergy-sufferers, too. Doubt one would ever show up at a shelter, though.

anon - Really? I figured that stuff would just mess up folks. Whatever the case, he did seem to have a lot better handle on things than during his time in office.

Now, Atwater was the one who seemed to be about 3 shades of crazy. Big mouth, no self-edit button, wearing blinders, no soul. Sad, really.

As Craig pushes for 70,000 words by Dec. 1st, I think it would be helpful to pitch in, and offer a few he might want to use :

cephalopods -

Blue -
Oh it'll fry people, but for a while they're firing on all cylinders. Most of those clips of him were from the late 80's. His current state of mind has that classic "burnt-out" quality to it.

Seeing Mary Matlin as his assistant - Perfect training for selling a war out of Cheney's office.

Corey - I wouldn't be so quick to assume that the exhaustion Obama was showing was a response to the security briefing as much as it was to the year of campaigning that he's just undergone. Most of us have the capacity to muster up reserves of energy in short bursts, but eventually the effort catches up with us. Now if he walked out of the briefing looking as if he'd been run over by a truck . . . that's a different matter altogether.

Pogo

And don't forget his grandmpther had just died too,

With both her death and the final sprint of the campaign happening at the same time, I'm surprised he was still walking.

Jack

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/11/a-memorable-transition.html#comment-172505

viv, check my post upthread from this morning - Congress can reverse those regs implemented within the past couple of months and going forward to the swearing in ceremony.

I knew there was a reasaon I didn't really want to be an astronaut . . . and it wasn't the Tang.

yeah jack - I'd probably be a candidate for about a week of sleep.

One other thing, if there is something so devastating in the security briefing then maybe it is time to tell the rest of so we can be prepared.

Jack

I thought Obama looked a little tired, but I didn't see extreme exhaustion. He'd had about enough time after the election to have the adrenaline ease off.

My theory about the Obama "look" -

They took him into a room to measure him for the saddle that only works for riding tigers.

Pogo -
Tang has disappeared from the supermarket here.

Anon, figures - even my kid doesn't like the stuff.

Anon

Maybe, it just hit home for him that people expect him to fix this mess, yesterday.

Jack

The weight of the presidency,,from one to another has always been a heavy one-----the weight of bush 43 is probably a little like if you have a son that has had his own way for 8 years and now doesn't know what to do about all the (grave) mistakes he has made,,and now dumps them on your lap----you have to correct these mistakes cos it involves the rest of the family (country) and it will harm them for the rest of their lives it you don't-----im glad that he is going to have some grown ups in his admin??

Anon

Riding the tiger is easy.
It is putting the saddle on, that is the trick. Pity the poor sob that gets that fun job.

Jack

I understand the pragmatism of holding off on some of the big priorities for the President-elect and his associates, but how can one tackle the economy and not directly deal with health care reform at the same time? I am not disputing the difficulties, but putting health care on the sidelines is not a good move, no matter what House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer told reporters:
"obviously, we are not going to be able to do health care reform in the first month or two."

The Obama Adminstration must SEIZE THE MOMENT and push forward, quickly and forcibly. The longer they wait, the greater the resistance they will confront.

Here's an article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7724019.stm

Jack -

LOL -
It's gonna take a big sack of cat nip.

Acid attack on Afghan schoolgirls
Schoolgirl in hospital after two men on a motorbike threw acid on her in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008
It is not clear who carried out the attack

Attackers in Afghanistan have sprayed acid in the faces of at least 15 girls near a school in Kandahar, police say.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7724505.stm

Words fail me.

From a comment on a chart of the commodities market.

My nomination for Quote of the day.

"The chart above reflects the old school cliche: Markets eat like a bird, but shit like a bear . . ."

To see the chart and comment
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2008/11/crb-roundtrip/

Jack

T. Boone Pickens on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart tonight.

From that same site :
"Go for a business that any idiot can run - because sooner or later, any idiot probably is going to run it. -Peter Lynch"

Words should fail you on this one as well, anon....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/02/13yearold-rape-victim-sto_n_140242.html

Sometimes courage is just going to school -

Atifa said she did not know why anyone would have attacked her and the others.

"I don't know why they did it," she said. "Kandahar is not safe. But we can't stay at home, we want an education."

Does anyone on this blog work?....Everytime I pop on for a quick look its the same people.....laughs

These cases are just more examples of females being considered property, Anon. There are thousands of such every day throughout the world.

Yes Patsi -

Jack -
We're all on Social Security

anon,
laughs....I guess that would explain alot.

We are just a bunch of kids blogging from our parents basement.

Jack -
I tried soaps once, but my interest in the Burgess Shale over came them -

"Yet, their existence is a paradox: the fossils have been buried deep in the Earth’s crust and heated to over 300°C (~600 °F), before being thrust up by tectonic forces to form a mountainous ridge in the Rockies. Usually such extreme conditions are thought to destroy fossils. But, in the Burgess Shale the most exquisite detail of soft tissues has been preserved."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081112074906.htm

Wayne how's Garth ?

Jane had a little post yesterday about that very subject -
( Jane has ....... a masters' degree in film business from USC, produced major motion pictures and wrote a best selling book.)

Sarah Palin seems to have a special place in her heart for bloggers:

Ms. Palin directed most of her media criticism at liberal bloggers, whom she twice called, “those bloggers in their parents’ basement just talkin’ garbage.”

http://firedoglake.com/2008/11/11/uh-sarahyou-sure-you-want-to-go-there/

Down in Florida when we decided to run 'reclaimed' water to every dwelling in town, we had to come to grips with irrigating every blade of grass, washing our streets and sidewalks, putting out fires, and washing our cars with potty water.

It took lots of public meetings and testimony by experts, but we finally convinced people that the stuff was safe enough to drink. In fact, a number of houses had been connected to it by mistake with no ill effects to the residents.

It also helped having people realize that the water we currently drink is not 'new' water--it's been recycled umpteen million times over the past billions of years. In the past couple of hundred years, we decided it would be nice cleaning it up before we drink it--and that's what we do.

The astro- and cosmonauts are smart people. They'll get beyond the psychological barrier to drinking purified potty water.

To all those kind people who graciously offered Stinky and me your congratulations, I say Thank You! Your good wishes mean more than you can know.

Flatus

Flatus -
Is that near Tampa ?

London - The era of "cheap oil" is definitely over and prices could again soar, to as much as 200 dollars per barrel, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned Wednesday. "One thing is certain. While market imbalances will feed volatility, the era of cheap oil is over," said IEA Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka in London Wednesday.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/241335,era-of-cheap-oil-is-over-says-leading-energy-body.html

"Does anyone on this blog work?...."

jax, for some of us here, this is work.

We are just a bunch of kids blogging from our parents basement.

Besides, pajamas are all I own.

"People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices."

Adam Smith
The Wealth of Nations, Book I, Chapter X

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

LG Display, Sharp, and Chunghwa Picture Tubes agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges for participating in a liquid crystal display price-fixing conspiracy and pay $585 million in fines, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10095219-92.html

re writers and cats:

'...Robertson Davies tried to nail down the attraction with his oft-quoted: "Authors like cats because they are such quiet, loveable, wise creatures, and cats like authors for the same reasons." Oft-quoted by authors on their websites trying to justify their obsession, I might add.

Perhaps it's just that cat people are generally more … what? bonkers?"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2008/nov/12/writers-and-cats

. . . shows what Palin knows - both of my parents are dead and I haven't worn pajamas for 38 years.

anon, I always chuckle at price fixing lawsuits when I drive past half a dozen gas stations whose prices are all within 5 cents per gallon of each other, irrespective of brand or supplier.

"How would Sarah feel if someone called her an ignorant, freeloading bubble headed piece of trailer park trash"

Actually those were some of the milder things she was called. Not to mention that blow up sex doll that was selling on line. All just in good fun.

I see the Dow is close to apoplectic this week - down about 10% so far. Wonderful

Don't forget the upcoming porno movie- Nailin' Palin.

Patd- I work at home and am resting my feet when I check in.

Anon, it was Pinellas County (St Pete/Clearwater area). The project started in like '93 and took a couple of years to do.

Patsi, I thought her presentation on Greta's show was worth the watch. Although I disagree with her politics, I think she's the genuine article.

anon, you might enjoy this.
"Attack of the Tiny Particles - be slightly afraid"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/nov/12/nanotechnology-pollution

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/11/a-memorable-transition.html#comment-172557

And yet you voted for her!

flatus, she may be the genuine article, but politics aside, I sure wouldn't want to see her in the White House.

I don't want to see her in the White House either. But I firmly believe that gender based name calling is a part of the big picture that involves women as property, excusing spousal abuse, stoning rape victims and denying girls an education. To say it isn't one would have to believe that racist language is not harmful to the black community and homophobic language does no harm to the gay community.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/11/a-memorable-transition.html#comment-172561

Talking about hyperbole, thinking she's a bimbo, doesn't mean one thinks she should be smacked around, or stoned or any other horrors you mention.

patd, I spent a couple of days last winter at a seminar on nanotechnology in Ann Arbor. That article is almost entirely consistent with what I heard there. Nanotech and the paeticles that they manufacture and use in various products are in a sense the first new substances that have been introduced into the commercial world since the rise of toxic tort class action lawsuits, and the first product that may have deleterious effects that are wholly unknown but are capable of observation and testing before their widespread use, and aside from their use in cosmetics or drugs, are practically wholly unregulated unless they are introduced into some product that is regulated. (Microwaves were thought to be of similar character, but they aren't properly a product). That aside, nanotech is absolutely fascinating stuff on an almost unimaginably small scale.

"Don't forget the upcoming porno movie- Nailin' Palin."

Yes, and that film portrays a threesome between a state governor, a US Senator, and the US Secretary of State.

Cute.

Brian, calling hyperbole and saying "bimbo" is NOTHING compared to what has been said, and by so-called progressives. And yes, as a matter of fact, it all goes to denigrating women as a population.

What do you suppose the outcry might have been if Michelle Obama was being sold as a blow up sex doll? (Complete with filthy instructions) The outcry would be deafening.

Patsi, I suppose there was sexism motivating some of the criticism of Palin - but as for me, from the perspective of the content of her speech during the campaign and various reports of basic stuff she said that was simply wrong, she struck me as the dimmer of the bulbs in a box of 2.

Well, I'll be running along now. Everyone have a wonderful evening.

Pogo -- calling someone a dim bulb is genderless.

By your reasoning Patsi one would charge someone with cruelty to animals for swatting a fly. You know maybe if you would ratchet down the rhetoric a notch or two one could actually have a serious discussion with you about what is still a very serious problem in our society. You constantly accuse anyone who criticizes Palin of being the most vile type of sexist. So really what's the point in even discussing it with you?

Brian, if you can't see the damage done by language when denigrating phrases are continually applied, then you are right, there's no reason for conversation.

And this statement is so off the mark it's a joke:

"one would charge someone with cruelty to animals for swatting a fly. "

Forget it Patsi, my mistake in thinking one could actually discuss the issue with you. I fully understand the power language, I'm a gay jew, unlike you I'm not a member of the majority so knock it off. . I would never equate one calling me a fag or a yid with a Fred Phelps. As long as you chose to paint every slight with such a broad brush and feel you have cornered the marked on victimhood you will accomplish nothing, enjoy your rage, see where it gets you.

Seymour Hersh already has whistle blowers lined up for Bush's departure:

http://www.wired.com/politi