Open Threads

According to this article, there are more troubling times ahead for the Democrats:

Nearly four months after unexpected election losses prompted a reevaluation of their priorities, congressional Democrats are conflicted over their party’s direction, deeply divided over Iraq and struggling to agree on a domestic agenda.

Senate Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (S.D.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) have encountered difficulty rallying the party behind a unified attack on President Bush, particularly with the party so split over whether the nation should go to war against Iraq with limited international support. Four Democrats from the Senate and two from the House are running for president, testing their own ideas and sapping attention from party leaders in Washington.

“You’re always going to have discord when you have this many people running and trying to get their message out,” said Pelosi’s spokesman, Brendan Daly. “We are trying to build unity and consensus.”

Not to mention putting a left face on everything, with Pelosi in the House and Hillary, Teddy, and Leahy essentially running the Senate, there are a number of internal inconsistencies that are going to hamper the Democrats for a while. I like the Democrats in disarray, but c’mon guys- there needs to be an EFFECTIVE check on Republicans. Not just bitching and moaning and strident statements.

More Fun for the DemocratsPost + Comments (2)

Today my cat learned not only where Dad keeps the Pounce treats, but how to open Pounce treats without having opposable thumbs. Blunt force trauma to the container seems to have been the method of choice.

So far, the enemies list for the week includes two rolls of toilet paper, one roll of paper towels, a sandwich bag, four pens, a candle, a lighter, five toy mice, and a container of Pounce treats. All have been terminated with extreme prejudice.

The CatPost + Comments (8)

Today started on a sour note and deeply disturbing note. Fred Rogers died yesterday. If you don’t know who he is, then you have no idea how much he meant to a couple generations of kids. This is really a terrible loss for everyone.

Goodbye, Mr. RogersPost + Comments

I graded close to 100 papers today, all while having my cat try to knock the pen out of my hand. That is why there were so many posts from me- after reading about five student papers, I have to take a break and read the web, just so I don’t forget how written English is supposed to look. At any rate, time for some Jimmy Kimmel Live with cohost of the week DON KING!

I Finished!Post + Comments

I didn’t watch much of the Grammy show last night, but not because I was protesting it or afraid of what a few limousine liberals might have to say about Iraq. Basically, I didn’t watch because they never really nominate or reward the type of music I enjoy. I read the results with interest wondering, who the hell buys all this stuff. One strong reaction I do have after reading the results:

Norah Who?

I know I am profoundly uncool, but I have never heard of Norah Jones before yesterday. I am unsure how Bruce Springsteen did not win- I am even more confused how Nelly and Eminem were snubbed. When I listen to the radio, it is usually NPR, talk radio, or ESPN Sports radio- so I am not a music expert when it comes to new music. I can tell you one thing though- when I went to a bar, when I went to a clothing store, when I was in a friend’s car, or at the lake, I know what I was hearing- people were playing Nelly and Eminem. Not Norah Jones.

Is it possible that the Grammy voters are more out of touch than I am?

Norah Who?Post + Comments