...just don't lose the optimism or the love of the fight. Always remember that a "citizen" is more than someone who takes up space in a country. And don't elect a Ronald Reagan in twenty years.

I'm glad to see that one of my all time favorite films is getting the deluxe DVD treatment it deserves. Seeing it was one of the biggest artistic experiences I've ever had, and I can't wait to see it again.

When asked my opinion about some music, book, dinner or play that I consider a notch above mediocre I'll describe it as "better than bad sex". I've come to actually believe that. I've had a few periods of celibacy and I have found myself quite happy during them. When I find myself missing sex I consider the trade-offs, then go do something.

Did Ruth Marcus ever work for Fox News?

The straws that the right wing pundits are grasping at get thinner and thinner.

The American People began to reclaim our government in 2006 and made a big leap forward in '08. The interests opposing us are well organized, well funded, very motivated and understand the levers of power in ways that we don't. We need to make sure that our representatives, including Obama, know what we expect and if they anger us, we should let them know in no uncertain terms. while I agree that the AIG bonuses are a relative drop in the bucket and are symbolic more than anything, I believe they are symbolic of a deep systemic flaw in American politics and commerce. We should be furious about the flaw, more than the bonuses.

My Ultimate Yogi Berra Tale. When he was in grammar school he bombed an exam rather spectacularly. When his teacher asked "Don't you know anything?" he answered "I don't even suspect anything." That says everything you need to know about him. That and the baseball.

For months now I've been saying that the for profit health care combine wouldn't be able to attack reform in the same way they successfully did in 1993 and '94. Rather they would attempt to coopt the reform movement with some attempts like today's GOP are attempting. The Republican Party is moribund right now but watch for "citizens' groups" attempting "sensible" health care reform. In addition, watch Illinois' 10th District Congressman, Mark Kirk. He's being touted as an early Republican candidate for Roland Burris' Senate seat, his relatively moderate position among Republicans might be salable to Illinoisans and he has Abbott Labs in his district. Be forewarned.

As an Obama supporter I have to say that Hillary's primary loss was, as I saw it, a Pyrrhic victory for the right wing noise machine. The fact that the conservative blowhards and the rightist publications spewed so much venom about her and her husband during the '90's and the mainstream media carried their venom so compliantly, the average American (and to some extent, the average American liberal) viewed her as ambitious, cold, conniving and manipulative when none of this is more true of her than most politicians (read David Brock's assessment in "Blinded By The Right"). Those anti-Hillary sentiments kept turning up even among Democrats during the primaries and seemed to play a big part in her loss. However, once she lost, the Republicans had an opponent against whom they had no idea how to run. So, because they poisoned the water for Hillary, stole the election from Gore, stole the election from Kerry, they got Obama. Serves them right.

Michael Jackson knew how to sing a song, which is different from merely having a good voice. I continue to marvel, when I hear those early Jackson Five hits, how a kid his age could pour that kind of emotion into the love songs he sang.

I like the geese.

Senator Jim DeMint recently through down the gauntlet. If that didn't tap the Blue Dogs' sense of party loyalty then maybe they should openly become Republicans.

Yes, I know, T-H-R-E-W. My screw up.

...sometimes the bludgeon works.

To badly paraphrase Charlie Pierce, it's our civic duty to confront the ridiculous with ridicule. The Birthers, Highlighters and the rest should be mocked out of existence. When put into their proper context it's obvious they're paranoid, deluded sheep.

I'm still amused by the existence of a "Conservapedia."

I'm hoping to see a couple of strokes on the right. Maybe Limbaugh will forget his blood pressure meds.

That's why they call it a "Peace" prize.

"Do her bosses know?" What jar is Palin living in?