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:
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Guys Like Us
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).
This Week in the "Extended Race" Charade
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 days | McCain Indecisive-Maverick Watch - No VP Choice |
| 4 days | Democratic RBC Vote |
| 19 days | Promised nominee date (June 15th) |
| -22 | Weeks left for Obama to define himself versus McCain |
| 5 | Weeks lost since 'SuperDay' in Clinton "extended race" |
| -3 | Weeks left to lose in Clinton "extended race", June 15th 'promise' |
| -11 | Additional weeks for Clinton "extended race", August 28 Conv. Fight |
| 18 | Total weeks potential Clinton cost of time |
| 10 | Weeks 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.
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.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
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
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)






