A Cornucopia of Stuff

The good news here is that after six weeks of having her teeth wired shut, my wife Carol can now open her mouth. This doesn't mean she can have steak, but she can have soft foods such as scrambled eggs. After a month and a half of not using one's jaw, one must relearn to use it.
One problem is that she cannot yet open her mouth sufficiently to use her toothbrush, something she was REALLY looking forward to. Fortunately, her clever husband, quite possibly inspired by this workshop, suggested that Carol use a smaller toothbrush, and as it turned out, we had a couple replacement brushes for Lydia that Carol could use.
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One of my sisters works for Wachovia bank - well, she did until there WAS no Wachovia. Like just about everyone dealing with a bank, she didn't originally work for the former giant, but rather First Union out of Charlotte, NC, where my mother also used to work. But First Union got taken over up by Wachovia and now Wachovia is owned by Citicorp. It reminds me of fish in the food chain being swallowing up ever larger creatures. In any case, she still has a job, for now.
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While my retiring Democratic Congressman, Mike McNulty , voted for the bailout, the frosh Congresswoman from the area, Kirsten Gillibrand , voted no. So did Maurice Hinchey, a liberal Dem from my old district, whose state Assembly campaign I supported in 1974. And of course, Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), who's been marginalized a lot this year, but is often correct. Someone sent me this alternative proposal; we'll see if THAT passes.
Seriously, they'll be some sort of deal soon, if only because there is no credit available for businesses large or small.
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The Veep debate is tonight, and it ought to generate real interest, mostly to see if Sarah Palin will self-destruct. Based on her performances in the Alaska gubernatorial debates, excerpts of which can be found here, she may fare better than most people think. On the other hand, check out this link. After the 50 seconds of the Today show description of Tina Fey channeling Palin, you will watch a side-by-side comparison of Palin and Fey. As SamuraiFrog asked: "You know what the difference is between Tina Fey and a pit bull with lipstick? Tina Fey didn't have to keep looking down at her notes."
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Bill Moyers' interview with Andrew J. Bacevich on his book "The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism", which is "one in a series called the 'American Empire Project.' Several noted scholars and writers are examine American aspirations at home and abroad, looking for ways to foster democracy without succumbing to imperial ambitions."
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Because you need to know: an Internet Memes timeline.
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That's all I've got, but I'd be curious to get your reaction to my piece Is getting people interested in politics REALLY a good idea?


ROG