I'm guessing snark. Glenn's capitolized adjectives have proven to be a very sharp sword indeed.

OT - what happens if I go to the Island Grill and sing Carmen Ohio? ;->

Any chance I'll find some of your goodies at the Island Grill? I predict I will. ;->

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=1546265546

If one Pedinska were to present one's self at the Island Grill and sing even a mediocre version of Carmen Ohio, one would be immediately swept up by the assembled staff and placed upon a a pedestal so high that clouds of joy would obscure one's ears.

...and I know all the words, so it looks like I've found a little piece of Buckeye heaven in Florida! I am most definitely going to take you up on this Jebbie.

No need for a pedestal though, a good pom-tini will do. Wish I was going to be down there on the 7th. Sounds like the perfect setting to either celebrate or commiserate, depending on what the Fates deliver. ;->

On-topic: I'm hoping that Bloomberg's aide was telling the truth about him not running if it doesn't look like he can win. RW America (all 24%) is not in the mood to put down it's weapons and make peace with ANY enemy, let alone the political left. And, from the rumblings in the blogospere, the left is starting to realize what kinds of weapons it has at its disposal, and will gladly wield them to avoid more of what we've suffered under the last two presidential terms. Such is the legacy the Republicans have left us.

A billionaire asking - as if having billions of dollars at your disposal is something that "lots of people" have at their disposal - "why you shouldn't have lots of people running".

Almost sounds like he's in favor of public financing and runoff elections.......

Oh wait, but that might eliminate all of his advantages!

Ballot access laws can be a challenge to third party candidacies. While the Democratic and Republican parties are usually entitled to ballot access in all fifty states in every election, third parties often need to meet extra criteria for ballot access, such as registration fees or, in many states, petition requirements in which a certain number of voters must sign a petition for a third party or independent candidate to gain ballot access. In recent presidential elections, Ross Perot appeared on all 50 state ballots as an independent in 1992 and the candidate of the Reform Party in 1996. (Perot, a multimillionaire, was able to provide significant funds for his campaigns.) Patrick Buchanan appeared on all 50 state ballots in the 2000 election,[2] largely on the basis of Perot's performance as the Reform Party's candidate four years prior. The Libertarian Party has appeared on the ballot in at least 46 states in every election since 1980, except for 1984 when David Bergland gained access in only 36 states. The Green Party gained access to 44 state ballots in 2000 but only 27 in 2004. The Constitution Party appeared on 42 state ballots in 2004.[3] Ralph Nader, running as an independent in 2004, appeared on 34 state ballots.

Like Perot, money would not be an issue for Bloomberg, but what do folks think about the petition requirements? Is Broder et al's noise machine (or Republican dissatisfaction with the current cast of boobs) sufficient to get people to sign on the dotted line?

unless you are another of LWM's sock-puppets

...has enough feet to rival a centipede.

Austin is probably a great place for it to be and I think they've learned from last year's mistakes, so it ought to be better. Anyone interesting in going would probably enjoy it and it would be great to meet people and have some sort of get-together for anyone who wanted to go.

In the olden days of Compuserve I was part of a gardening forum there. We had several get-togethers, including what became a yearly jaunt to NOLA for their spring garden show, that were just wonderful. Our love of gardening brought us together, and our delight in meeting and getting to know each other was just icing on the cake.

When I met B earlier in the year in DC I mentioned that I thought this would be a great thing to do with this group - so many fascinating people to get to know!

Unfortunately, the lingering legal effects of a family tragedy will most likely make it impossible for me to have enough available time to squeeze this in or I would have signed up when the discount was still in effect. I am just pounding my head against a wall mourning the (probably) lost opportunity.

I really can't second Glenn's (and RMP orgininally, I think) suggestion enough. I think everyone would find it an exciting and very rewarding experience.

Well, the more I think about it the more I hate to rule it out altogether.....have to admit I just spent some time looking at Austin B&B's. I guess it would just depend on some fortuitous things happening. Who knows, eh? ;->

To B (before he goes social on us) and all, a Happy and safe New Year's celebration. I'm very much looking forward to next year here, with newfound friends.