My only regret over his candidacy is that I don't get to vote in Texas anymore. But if I did Kinky'd get my vote -- and who knows, with the electronic voting machines he still could.

To quote the man, "How hard could it be?" The governorship of Texas is a nothing job (the real power is centered in the Lieutenant Governor's office); at best it's a bully pulpit. And, more often than not, the pulpit of bullies (*coughcough* Dubya *coughcough*). If nothing else, the Kinkster would provide mass entertainment at a reasonable price -- which is a better return on the tax dollar than Texans are getting now.

It's not like he could lower the dignity of the office, either. One former governor granted a pardon for a statue from the charge of public drunkenness, was later impeached (not for that, mind you), and had his wife run for the office as his proxy. Reportedly her campaign speeches consisted of him standing up and saying "Vote for my wife -- she'll do what I tell her." Needless to say, she was elected. Twice. And she was one of the *good* ones. Hell, Kinky could go out and shoot cattle, defile their corpses in acts of necro-animal husbandry, and set oil wells on fire in loving tribute and he wouldn't be the worst governor Texas ever had (*coughcough* Dubya *coughcough*). Or the only one who's ever had a cocaine habit (*coughcough*...)

Is it bad form to point out that all of these actions and statements were made while the GOP controlled Congress?

It would?

That's a pity. Because I just want to point out that all of these actions and statements were made while the GOP controlled Congress.

I, too, have danced with the cruel mistress that is Jeopardy. I consider myself lucky that, unlike Messrs. Jennings and Bayard, none of my (four) misses on Final Jeopardies cost me the game -- either I was untouchable or too far behind. That doesn't mean they still don't hurt (I'm looking at you, Duke of Windsor!)

One thing to add to Bayard's analysis is that once you're on (and eventually off) Jeopardy that that's not just the end of Jeopardy, but of the practicality of having that well of trivia. Sure, you can gather for events like the ones in Steven's Point and Glendale. A retired NFL quarterback can also play in a weekend game, but it's not the same. I've said quite seriously in the past (and some of the better players I've talked to feel the same) that if I were offered a minimum-wage job for playing Jeopardy 40 hours a week I would take it in a heartbeat.

My only stipulation in the contract would be that I would get to take my 15-minute break during the sports questions.

Remember, 60% of Americans don't believe in evolution. Hell, only 31% believing a five-year-old Republican lie seems like a goddam victory of reason by comparison.

Two short anecdotes, one political, one personal:

This is the second Salon story which uses the Clayton Williams' rape joke as explanation for how she won, and that helped. But what really sank his campaign was his refusal to shake her hand at a joint appearance. Even the good old boys of Texas couldn't reward that breach of etiquette back then. Luckily the Era of Rove has freed us of such outdated notions.

I had the pleasure of receiving mail from the governor's office during her tenure, unexpectedly. I had just acquitted my Texas education on Jeopardy, and her office sent me a letter of congratulations. ALmost certainly an autopen signature, but it was on the stationery. I went back later for the tournament; by then, she had been replaced by Dubya. For whatever reason, I did not receive mail from that governor's office. I guess his crowd weren't big fans of the show.

Goodbye, Ann. You were a hell of a lady, and more of a gentleman than most of the jokers who sat in that chair.

I would like to point out that √ -1 is not an irrational number -- it is imaginary. Whether the inaccuracy in the review is indicative of a similar mistake in the book I cannot say, but if Zamyatin was indeed a fellow math nerd I doubt it.

That aside, good review of a book that I should most definitely read now.

Well, the gravelly-voiced lady is Totie Fields, one of the sets of 60s and 70s comedien(ne)s who never appeared to be in anything but always showed up on Carson and game shows. I can't speak to the guys, as they never say anything and the tape is wonky. Maybe the longhair at the end is Bobby Sherman.

For those curious, this is from the Bea Arthur Special, which aired on CBS in January of 1980. I cannot verify this, but I seem to remember the next day 48,000 Americans asking Ayatollah Khomeini to take them hostage as well, should it be re-run.

OK, it wasn't THAT bad. Bea Arthur in the Star Wars Holiday Special -- THAT was bad. Make-the-Pope-an-atheist bad. And Bea Arthur was the best part.

"Well, that's -- that's nitpicking, isn't it?"