Boo!

...have an electorific Halloween, everyone!

And remember: trick-or-treating builds valuable canvassing skills. Be nice to those kids.

RNC pulls ad money in Ohio

The money doesn't lie. Looks like Sen. DeWine is getting jettisoned. (The Fix) Who will be the next to get cut off?

Burbite propaganda!

A new study shows that DC's recent population boom represents an influx of "singles, empty nesters and childless couples but not families needed for stability." (WP)

Whatever, man. I'd say my "urban family" is more stable than my actual family in many ways. Viva la group house. Big shout-out to the roomies.

Dallas airport dispatch

Somebody's gotta do it.

What happens in Vegas

I am having a hard time believing this Jim Gibbons 911-call scandal just because it sounds like something I would make up if someone asked me to make up a story about a pre-election scandal. The fact that the legislator in question is a social conservative*, that it involves a cocktail waitress named Chrissy, that the evening began at a McCormick and Schmick's in Las Vegas. Truth will out, I suppose.

*Christian Coalition 90% score

Ask antigravitas

To: Waage
From: xxxx@aol.com
Date: October 17, 2006
Subject: the man in the black hat

What is the name of the man in the black hat...if you could tell me as soon as possible that would be great!
thank you, katrine

Dear katrine,

I believe you may be referring to Jack Abramoff, mercenary lobbyist and convicted felon. You can follow this link to the Wikipedia entry about Mr. Abramoff's adventures in Washington.

But now that I think about it, that is not the only possible ID.

&#%$ photo enforcement

Duuude, no way is that my car.


Actual Speed: [redacted] Speed Limit: 35
Location: 600 Blk New York Avenue NE w/b Weather: DAYLIGHT

When I got the notice of my ticket in the mail, including photos, I felt a little dirty. It's sad to see Zippy on display in such a compromising position.

Wag the axis of evil

Glenn Kessler and Peter Baker make a good point in the WP today: "Nearly five years after President Bush introduced the concept of an 'axis of evil' comprising Iraq, Iran and North Korea, the administration has reached a crisis point with each nation." The article analyzes how the U.S.'s relations with any one of the axis countries tend to impact its relations with the other two. That's interesting, but here's an analysis I want to see:

Is the blossoming of the axis of evil in the last five years more an indication of the Bush administration's prescience, or of its commitment to follow through on its own long-held plans for balls-out nation-building? Was the axis of evil speech a self-fulfilling prophecy or self-fulfilling propaganda? It's unclear to me how much influence or control the administration has really had over North Korea's nuclear ambitions. But it's by no means certain that Iraq would have exploded/imploded had the U.S. never invaded. And the hamfisted occupation of Iraq has almost certainly played a role in Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad's stewing homicidal rage. So I say, that makes the Bush administration itself the agent of crisis in at least 2 of the 3 axis of evil nations.

There are those--including, reportedly, Bush himself--who see the invasion of Iraq as part of our divinely foreordained march towards the Apocalypse. (Alternet) Perhaps it's true and the President is an instrument of the Lord. Y'know, my mother always said, "God helps those who help themselves."

Well played

This woman:

Alisa Harvey, 4-time winner of the Army Ten-Miler, breaks the tape at the 22nd annual race on Sunday, October 8 in 59 minutes flat. (Washington Running Report)

Is forty years old!

There is hope for us all.

Maybe this is how Halliburton did it

To: [yours truly]
From: Thomas Saleem
Subject: Re: Various supplies
Date: October 5, 2006

Dear Sir,

Glo Contract Consultants Uk is a specialised procurement consultancy based in the UK and with substantial expertise in sourcing, contract negotiation and cost reduction programmes. We have worked in Saudi, UAE and Jordan as well as the majority of other major global business centres.

I am Thomas Saleem, Business Development Manager and I handle all Middle East business matters with government and non governmental agencies.

I am initiating contact with you regarding an urgent contract invitation from Iraq.

...

R.I.P. Martha

At first glance I thought I'd spotted this headline in the sports section...

Eagle Euthanized After Injury (WP)

...and that was pretty shocking. But almost as sadly, it's about one of our hometown mascots, Martha the bald eagle, who lived with her mate, George, near the Wilson Bridge. I spotted them swooping once or twice and it was a cool sight! Previously poor Martha had been attacked by a rival eagle--a result of the habitat crunch for bald eagles around the Chesapeake. Bummer.

[insert post about GOP imploding here]

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Here is a place where I could write about how Condi Rice does not take the best notes during meetings (SF Chron). Or about how some congressional Democrats and Republicans seem to be engaged in a breathless struggle to out-scandal each other ("We'll see your bribery and raise you one pedophile!"). Or about the potential for hard-right Republicans to get ousted by the conservative Christian vote that they have so carefully cultivated (WP). But I think the time has come to just sit back and watch Fate spin this one out as she desires.

PS: When did substance abuse stop being reason enough to question a lawmaker's fitness to serve and start being just an excuse for other, worse stuff?