65 Days

Just back from Denver. Now the work begins.

Obama-Biden 08

OBiden 08

O-Joe 08

JObama?

Hallmark Releases Same-Sex Marriage Cards

This is like Starbucks moving into the neighborhood.

8

The greatest accomplishment that Michael Phelps has achieved with his 8th Gold medal is, to my mind, his gracious sportsmanship. These guys seem to care about each other and are truly a team, despite the competition. Lezak, Lochte, Hansen, Weber-Gale, Jones, Pearsol all shared in Phelps' victory; he shared it with them and they seemed pleased with his accomplishment, laughing with him on the medal stand, sharing the moment with each other. Too bad we don't see this in other, more popular sports. Maybe it's because they are all about money?

Champion

Dara Torres missed her first individual gold medal by 1-100th of a second. Without some Swiss dude, we can't calculate how short that time is. She is 41 and came this close to a 25 year old. Instead of expressing frustration, or disappointment, or anger, she swam under the ropes and hugged the winner. At any age, what class.

Quote of the Day

From the number 1 law enforcement official in the nation:



Mukasey: "Not Every Wrong, Or Even Every Violation Of The Law, Is A Crime"

Mr. Webster would disagree:

Main Entry: crime
Pronunciation: \ˈkrīm\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin crimen accusation, reproach, crime; probably akin to Latin cernere to sift, determine
Date: 14th century
1: an act or the commission of an act that is forbidden or the omission of a duty that is commanded by a public law...

Personal Lives, Public

"I think every single candidate for president, Republican and Democratic have lives, personal lives, that indicate something about what kind of human being they are. And I think it is a fair evaluation for America to engage in, to look at, what kind of human beings each of us are, and what kind of president we'd make." John Edwards, March 27, 2007

Being an asshole is certainly not a disqualification for public office. If it were, there would be two old guys in Congress. True, as Paul Begala said, this isn't torturing people or sending us to war on lies or spying on US citizens. And, true, as Elvis Costello says, "There's no such thing as an original sin."

This episode does make me wonder (not for the first time) why people choose to make their lives so public and why they hold themselves up as paragons of American virtue. Edwards chose to make his life public; he chose to put his family into the public spotlight, sacrificing time to be a father to his children, time to be with his wife suffering from cancer. He chose to spend his time in public, furthering his personal ambition. They all do. Therefore, this private affair is very much public and my business and I will judge his ability to act as my leader based on this decision and on his lying to cover it up.

Being an asshole doesn't disqualify him from running for office. It does, however disqualify him from my respect, and my vote. Fork, done.

Watch the video here, if you can stand it.

Update: Here is a possible explanation of why Edwards chose to go public now. Perhaps he was the victim of extortion, or the threat of it.

Fall in Line

Seriously? The delegate count close? Catharisis? Unity? A strategy so my delegates have a role? Their legitimacy validated? "It's as old as Greek drama."

I was in Bill and Hillary Clinton's backyard on Whitehaven in DC when Bill said, and I quote: " In the primary fall in love, but in the general, fall in line." She was standing next to him, nodding. So were many of the women in the yard in this video.

Fall in line. Period.

Americans Win Gold, Already

I am usually a big fan of the Olympics, especially the Opening Ceremonies. I wasn't going to watch this year as my own little protest of Chinese repression. I understand that we shouldn't boycott but was disappointed that Bush decided to attend the Opening Ceremonies. Then the US athletes went and voted as the U.S. flagbearer Lopez Lomong, a Sudanese refugee and member of Team Darfur.

Now I will watch the Opening Ceremonies with a renewed sense of pride, for ordinary American citizens sending a not-so-subtle message about freedom, their occasional willingness to take a stand, and a continued faith in the American dream.

Paris

I can't believe that Paris Hilton is smart enough to have come up with this herself, but it has raised her significantly in my esteem. I can't believe I said that either.

The tan line line is great.

Great Name for a Band

Two Thumbs Johnny
The name of a tattoo artist in Singapore. Said to be the best.

After the Tone

Whoever invented this must have had to make that awkward breakup call.

Don’t Want to Talk About It? Order a Missed Call

A system called Slydial lets callers dial a cellphone and go right to voice mail, avoiding an unwanted conversation.