More politics

Cris and I had a talk this morning about the candidates. She thinks Clinton would have a chance to do more in office. A pragmatist, she said a political machine, such as the one Clinton is connected to, is a valuable tool. I countered by saying she may be too beholden to certain people and institutions and may have too many favors to repay. I guess it's two sides of the same coin. Yes, she would put very experienced, well-connected people in her administration. But who's to say such people wouldn't also flock to an Obama administration. "Kind of like a Camelot thing," Cris said thoughtfully.

I also don't relish the thought of the Rush Limbaughs of the world being able to gnash their teeth on the Clintons for another eight years. If Obama wins the nomination, it would at least set them back on their heels for a time. Maybe not long.

Meanwhile, if you want to see what a race to the bottom looks like, take a look at this article from the Colorado Springs Gazette, depicting the one-term incumbent COngressman and two Republican challengers in a competition to prove who is more "conservative" than the others. One man, the aptly named Crank, wants to defund Amtrak, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Dept. of Education. "Those are not things the government needs to fund," he argues, contrasting them with Kevlar vests required by soldiers. Yes, let's be a nation known by our Kevlar.

technorati: Republicans, Colorado 5th district, Obama

It's Bad Behavior Wednesday™! -- second coming edition

Nobody said I couldn't do it on Wednesday too.

A 60-year-old Puerto Rican preacher in Florida, head of a group he claims has 300 congregations and 100,000 members, is worshipped as Christ but recently has claimed to be the Anti-Christ, complete with 666 tattoo.

"Critics" claim it's a cult. You think!!?!

I just really like the lede on this story so I'll quote it verbatim:

A Houstonian who invited two men to his townhome after chatting with them on an Internet site late Monday ended up bound in duct tape as the strangers hauled computers, jewelry and other valuables away in his car, police said.

The writer of that tight lede, Houston Chronicle reporter Kevin Moran, is an old hand.

A New York woman who slept in the same bed as her baby to protect him from rats accidentally rolled on top of him, suffocating him. The AP story said: "The building has reportedly been cited by the city for nearly 380 violations, including 20 for mice and rodent infestations. The landlord told the Daily News he was not aware of any rat problems."

A Texas man killed a UT student, decapitated her in the bathtub, then fled to Mexico with his girlfriend. After trying to pin the murder on his girlfriend, he was convicted today and got 55 years. After the jury returned a verdict in 90 minutes, a defense lawyer commented: "The jury considered everything. It was a brutal battle with drugs and alcohol."

No wonder they execute so many people in Texas -- the juries get high.

A South San Francisco man has been accused of biting off his wife's lip. The lip was reattached. The man's name is Akano Nzerem -- a challange when you've got all your lips.

Hilary Clinton says she is "flattered" by people who indulge in character assassination. Well, I hope so, since she's in for another ten years of it -- two years of campaigning, and eight as President.