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Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Guys Like Us

It's gonna take three parts to get it all ... (although it hardly looks like there is much new information - perhaps it's just a run at circulation headlines ...).



Part one, from the WSJ, The Chaos Trade:

A glib and gruff former scrap-iron salesman from Chicago with a penchant for cigars, golf and cards, Mr. Cayne had often taken off Thursday afternoons and Fridays that summer to play golf near his New Jersey vacation home. In mid-July, when the funds were melting down, both he and Mr. Spector had spent more than a week in Nashville, Tenn., competing in a bridge tournament. Mr. Cayne, who declined to be interviewed for this article, was said by people close to him to be particularly angry that Mr. Spector, who with his partners won the event, had been away from the office at such a sensitive time.

The Full Brazilian

McCain and his three guests male-bonded over the weekend, one guesses.

Thinking of them as plebes, McCain had them all get "a full Brazilian" (and donate to Concern).

Fine Art of the Mustache: Busted

I think this is from the 2008 Clios:

This Week in the "Extended Race" Charade

Noah sends a dove from the arch ...

Waiting with baited breath for the signal that the People of Peurto Rico will send to the world:

  • Six Governors
  • Fifteen Senators
  • Forty-eight Representatives
  • Four Distingushed Party Leaders
  • Ninety-four Party Officials
  • About five known "add on" officials

Intrade betting says 75% likelihood that Hillary leaves race by end of June.

Veep-stakes betting wide open on both sides. Romney and Pawlenty lead. Webb leads on Dem side.

This Week's Gambit

11 wks, 6 daysMcCain Indecisive-Maverick Watch - No VP Choice
4 daysDemocratic RBC Vote
19 daysPromised nominee date (June 15th)


-22Weeks left for Obama to define himself versus McCain
5Weeks lost since 'SuperDay' in Clinton "extended race"
-3Weeks left to lose in Clinton "extended race", June 15th 'promise'
-11Additional weeks for Clinton "extended race", August 28 Conv. Fight
18Total weeks potential Clinton cost of time


10Weeks from nomination to Election

The New Bush

How many candidates get to revise their "ethics policy" in the middle of a Presidential election?

Media Matters has McCain's effort to square the circle, ...

Discovery Launches This Week


Enjoy them while they last ...

Check out the entire timeline from NASA, here.

Sample:

T-11 hours and counting

  • Activate the orbiter's fuel cells
  • Clear the blast danger area of all nonessential personnel
  • Switch the orbiter's purge air to gaseous nitrogen

Monday, May 26, 2008

Hillary - Having Fun, Others Pick Up Tab

Caption this from the AC-720 blog:



WHO WILL PULL THE PITY WAGON

Meanwhile, husband Billy, playing on his own trustworthiness, hung lights and sirens on Hillary's pity wagon today, ahead of the Puerto Rico vote tomorrow, in hopes of stopping "the conspiracy".

THE RULES WILL BE KNOWN ONLY AT THE END

In paradox that only can happen in politics and metaphysics, winning is losing.

Some supporters of Hillary, who have yet to grieve apparently, reportedly feel that she's been disrespected, yet the Clinton campaign stridently maintains that she is winning ... and has for a long time.

Behavioral economists might call those supporters a product of commitment bias.

Last Laugh-in

Dick Martin has died.

Here, via Clive Davis:

Now What To Do?

It appears that Iran has a "CIA":

The document states that the Jaish al-Mahdi (JAM) – also known as the Mahdi Army – one of the most violent insurgent groups operating in Basra, used money from Iran to recruit and pay young unemployed men up to $300 (£150) a month to carry out attacks against the British. The findings have been passed to the highest levels in the military.

-DailyTelegraph


The US cannot "win" a military conflict, but it might win a propaganda one ... God knows, the CIA lost enough of those.

And the winner is ...

Gary Iriza, IML XXX

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Memorial Day

For those who gave all, so that others might have everything:


Food Porn

Homemade chicken salad on cranberry-raisin focaccia


Okay, this one is about as fru-fru as it gets for sandwiches 'round here.

Every now and again the local has the cranberry-raisin focaccia. This one I made myself. (If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you).

I use my two-style chicken prep for the salad. Boil the hell out of some chicken, until it falls apart with a fork (~2 hrs). Cube other chicken (grilled, baked, or left-overs). This will give you your two textures. Other ingredients: grapes and almond slivers. Bring together as you like, with dressing, etc. I don't spice it at all, in order to let the bread do the talking (if I did, I'd try rosemary somehow, which is technically an herb - and never let it be said we weren't technical...).

Balance the sweet with some salty pretzels.

Bush At Fort Bragg

ALL WET AND PRETTY SLIPPERY

Is anyone else troubled by the fact that President Bush continues to give political speeches about his violent, prologued, nation-building in front of military audiences, who are constrained by law to show deference?

I don't want to press it too far, but ... it just strikes me that continuing to take an unpopular policy pronouncement to "on base" venues is ... cheap.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Hollywood


Indiana Jones for Indiana Jones' sake. Eh.

Speed Racer was just as good, if not better, and got no box office respect.

Was Petreaus Asked the Question

Does anyone know if Gen Petreaus was asked about Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell at his nomination hearings on Thursday?

Afterall, McCain has used him as a prop for his own position.

I doubt he'd answer the question, but he might be asked if he would diligently carry out the order, at any time, or make a recommendation to the joint-chiefs that it was antiquated.

Personally, I think that non-discrimination is absolutely relevant to his nomination...

[If the question wasn't asked, that raises a whole set of other questions.]

Overconfidence

The early assertions about the will of the people in California seem a tad overconfident.

Update: Full California marriage poll here. (.pdf)