Bad economic news. The big three US auto makers had a disasterous May (May was great for Honda and Toyota). Afganistan is falling apart. Iran is thumbing their nose at us. Iraq, what can you say, everyday more news of US atrocities.

George Bush making a high profile Rose Garden appearence to push for a hatefull, discriminatory ammendment banning same-sex marriage...could he possibly do anything to make himself look more impotent, ineffective and out of touch?

Ironic that Livia Soprano would be the one to sum up this series. Certainly the first two seasons were magnificent, but it nose-dived after that. From season 3 onward its been trite, predictable and familair. Six Feet Under was a much richer series and OZ in its heyday ran circles around the best The Sopranos had to offer. We keep hearing about the great writing. Great writing is more than some smarmy, smart-ass dialogue gussied up with immaculate art direction. This season (as in past seasons) have had themes and stories simply evaporate or suddenly wrap up with no apparent meaning. Vito's homosexuality was played for smirks. the storyline was a dead end and went on far too long. Go back and rewatch The Krays. You'll see just how vicious and monstrous a gay mobster can be.

The biggest failing of this series is the cuteness. Chase is so afraid we won't adore his beloved creations he's defanged them. The slick one-liners, the silly outfits, the arch mannerisms...the show has become a series of tics and affectations. Underneath it all none of them are likeable characters, but I feel like we're being force-fed them as cute and loveable despite their actions.

After the series ends (and I think the final show will be much like last night's so David Chase can revive things as a movie or movies), and time has passed, I think people will look at this show and...well quote Livia..."Its all a big nothing."

How many of the senators backing this ammendment have been divorced?

One thing very few people are mentioning is the that public opposition to same-sex marriage has greatly dropped in just the couple years since this issue last conveniently raised its head. There was alot of hysteria the first time around, now this senate debate seems to be viewed with a smirk. The issue is running out of steam. Obviously Massachusetts has not gone up in a ball of fire. People are not as frightened or startled by the concept of gay marriage as they were a few years ago. The tide is turning.

If George Bush and the Republicans are targeting their base, well, they're targeting an ever smaller group.

More chaos and US attrocities in Iraq, Afganistan further collapsing, inflation knocking on the door, the US auto industry in trouble, volitile gas prices with no plan or concept of alternative fuel sources being seriously worked on, scary employment outlook, and maybe a hurrican or two. In November who but the Christian psychos will really walk into the voting booth concerned about gay marriage?

"Long story short: don't try to explain, disect, or predict where the Sopranos is going. It's not the destination, peeps: its the journey..."

I remember alot of "journies". to the Wisconsin Dell, Niagara Fall, Deer Forrest...they were all boring too.

"I'm more interested in knowing why Matt Lauer even bothers to talk with her."

I guess all the geeks who bite the heads off of chickens were booked.

She's a bottom feeder, and the people who suscribe to her brand of trash are the same. She's asked on these shows for her freak factor. Personally, I'd love to see one of thos "9/11 broads" punch her teeth out.

George Bush and the Republicans may see the Christian psychos as their base, but the American public better view them for what they really are: a cancer on the nation. Going after gays makes perfect sence. They're an easy target. Its not surprising that all of the Christian fueled rhetoric against same-sex marriage is really aimed at hetersexual marriages. Its no secret these radical christian groups are striving to reshape the nation as a Christian theocracy. Banning gay marriage is seen as an easy scheme, but,like with the Terri Schiavo issue, they may have miscalculated. If they are successful in securing a constitutional ammendment banning same sex marriage don't expect them to stop there. The groundwork is being laid to expand...which is why most of their arguements seem aimed at heterosexual divorce.

Too many americans have allowed themselves to be bullied and threatened by these cancerous christians, and it time to cut the cancer out...for the good of the country. The voting booth is our scalpel.

...or more correctly, empty. Its win or lose, and she lost. The Republicans keep that seat in congress. The Democrats have to WIN. coming in close is (in Lou Reed's immortal words) "Nothing, absolutely nothing with molasses on top."

Look for Bush to make some meaningless cosmetic move in Iraq, hammer away at the immigration issue, ressurrect the terror elerts, and keep same-sex marriage simmering. The Republicans will retain the House and Senate in the fall, and Democrats will congratualte themselves on comming in close.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing with molasses on top."

You know, if Dick Cheney had an ounce of pride or decency he would walk into the senate chamber and tell the good and righteous senator from Oklahoma to go fuck himself.