I don't have any assumptions about where you get your news. I don't have cable either, just see some pieces on line occasionally.

Jon Stewart is far more than a comedian - he actually gets into specific questions when he has guests on, more directly and more probingly than almost all of the MSM. He has a point of view, which I agree with, but he's also very, very clear about the facts of cases, which most TV news isn't - just "he said, she said", manufactured conflict.

I don't get any info from TV news - it's trash infotainment. I go to BBCNews.com and a collection of online sources. I check what I see with other sources.

I happen to believe that the psychotic divisioning of right and left is a ratings ploy by most news sources, as well as a phenomena of our collective sense of diminishing resources in our country. The same thing happened to Rome as it started to lose it's empire - intense factionalization set in and stymied them even further.

It's not in our interest as a nation to encourage that, and I believe we'll pass through this partisan nightmare, as our economy adapts to limits, shifting resources and a widening and deepening culture.

But in the last decade the right wing seems to be ditching every tool for collective reasoning we have in our shared arsenal - out of fear of the new. That's not unexpected - it's the right's "job" to resist change and prevent us from adapting badly - but it's verging on demented right now.

BTW, re; "partisanship" - you and Readerreader and many, many other more conservative writers can post here on Salon to your heart's content, without fear of being banned, but name one conservative site where the same courtesy is extended equally to liberals.

Yes, sorry - Fox IS propaganda, pure and simple.

Sure was. It was really fun to talk to you and Timothy3 and everybody about shared memories. Felt like sitting around the fire on Friday night telling tales. I'm glad Joan could join in too - seemed like she really enjoyed the mood. And we got some prime Klytus time - nice.

Maybe we should do it every Friday night! If Joan doesn't mind the off-topic drift. It all comes back to caring for one another anyway, doesn't it.

Well, I'll talk to you anytime, and I think most folks here will too, as long as we can be fair about current events and responsibilities. But we agree to disagree, that's easy.

One of the problems posting on Salon is there are a few really unhinged posters who just spout drivel, and it's easy to mistake principled disagreement for jargon, unfortunately. The healthcare debate has really pushed everything up a notch, understandably, but we'll get past that.

The left and the right have to find a way to converse, because we're two components of a working system. If I may: the left is the gas, and the right is the brakes. Depending on the terrain, you may need one more than the other, but you can't drive effectively without both.

Next Friday evening, let's explore the most arcane 60's shows, and maybe we should move into the 70's too. The Prisoner (filmed in a real village in Wales, built by a classic eccentric - not a stage set!) and beyond.

Timothy, I really do not know HR Pufnstuf!

Same time, same place?

I'm in Los Angeles. so anytime in the evening is ok for me (which says a mouthful about my social life! - and you were getting it all weekend and still able to post? Yowsa!)

7 or 8PM is good for me. Where are you Timothy?

That's a riot, but now I'm going to be thinking you're just barely reaching the keyboard for every post, if you get my meaning.

I'll be on next Friday between 7-8PST. Let's invite everyone, as long as Patrick McGoohan, etc. is the topic.

I have a lot to learn about Sid and Marty Kroft, believe me, but psychedelia rules. Looking forward to it.

See youse guys then.

Here's a link to a study that healthcare costs could double by 2020, if reform is not addressed now:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/23/without-reform-health-ins_n_266589.html

Cars don't fix themselves (except in my dreams). Nor will healthcare. Your posts are terrific, keep em coming.

Just found The Invaders on youtube, at least one episode. I don't remember it at all, thanks for the heads up. I will report back (or someone who looks a lot like me will report back......)

The Public Option is alive - struggling yes, but with plenty of backing and push-back, especially in the last week.

Here's a link to a Bloomberg article saying Obama and advisors are making a plan to bypass Senate Republicans in September:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20090822/pl_bloomberg/a9fjicd6ygqk

And here's a TPM article about Howard Dean being pleased with Harry Reid's (!) plan to break up the bill and use "reconciliation" (a favorite Republican method during their control) to get what we want:

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/08/dean-reconciliation-threat-a-reminder-that-were-getting-a-health-care-bill-this-year.php

This week is just as important as last week - call, write, email. Senators, Reps, Sebelius, Reid, Pelosi, White House. Good news: it's EXTREMELY satisfying, and it works.

Also, Mr. Schaller - you'll get a lot better quality responses if you don't take the lowest journalistic road available. Tomorrow isn't promised, but it's not gone yet either.

Because they want to surprise you. Boo!