It's been my own experience (and that of others that I've talked to) that when trying to attempt a "self-diagnosis" on medical websites that results tend to invariably point to some terminal illness or another. Even reasonably rational folks not inclined to be hypochondriacs can be lured into believing they have a terrible illness. I know of one person who was convinced that they had lip cancer and then M.S. after extensive online "research." Neither was true. I don't doubt that more information that is readily available can be helpful but we also need to be wary when taking medical advice from a "virtual" doctor.

I love non-apology apologies. It's like saying:

"I'm sorry you were offended by what I said" instead of "I'm sorry for what I said."

No surprise, Matthews has always been a mental midget and a bully to make up for it.

I should be the prime demographic for a show like Lost but they lost me ages ago. To see just how ridiculous the show is all you needed to do was see the "recap" commercials airing during last night's ABC Saturday Night movie (War of the Worlds). No doubt the speed talking "catch the audience up quick" spot was meant to be a bit amusing but in the end the commercial only confirmed just how absurd the show has become.

I suspect the ad buys have been a bit low because both candidates know they can't score a knockout this round. They have to keep some money in the coffers for the upcoming primaries that will decide the nominee. Although, technically I think if Obama wins California, which it now looks like is possible, it could be called a knockout. The momentum will just too much for the Clinton camp.

Isn't this just reiterating the same arguments that were put out in various essays from the book, Commodify Your Dissent, some 15ish years ago?

I must admit I'm fascinated by this subject so I'll probably still check out at least one of these books.

And then promptly ruin it?

A friend's new site is capitalizing on the absurdity of this Obama is a Muslim hysteria:

http://www.moremuslimthanobama.com/moremuslimthanobama/

I took these photos in my neighborhood yesterday in Reno (in the all important Washoe county).

http://reno-rambler.blogspot.com/2008/11/rip-obama-nevada-race-gets-uglier.html

Pot. Kettle. Black.

No one is disputing Murmur or Reckoning being great albums (sadly, Reckoning was actually looked down on when it first came out).

But to not acknowledge the brilliance of Automatic for the People, Out of Time, Monster, and (the ridiculously overlooked) New Adventures in HiFi is absurd. I'll take any of those albums over Murmur any day.

As a teacher I wonder when my kids will revolt against saying the pledge.

As an atheist I wonder when my students will notice I never say the "under God" part.