Most of us get an extra hour tonight, which I can certainly use, but, damn it gets dark early enough as it is these days – do we have to give it any more help? I’ve always thought that it should be “spring ahead, fall forward,” personally. Who the hell needs it to be light in the morning, when you have to go to work? I want it light in the evening, when you can actually go out and do something. And don’t give me this nonsense about kids going to school. That’s what headlights are for (besides, once they go from fetuses to people, who gives a crap, except for the ones we’ll eventually ship off to war, of course, but getting run over a few times just toughens ’em up, and the tougher they are, the less we have to shell out for body armor and all those other frills).

Today would have been my parents’ 59^th wedding anniversary, which means my oldest brother’s birthday is nine months and nine days away (hey, it was right after the war, so everybody had to get busy in a hurry). My mother would have despised George W. Bush (my dad, too, who could never figure out why they called Reagan the “great communicator,” since he sounded like a stammering idiot most of the time – Reagan, that is, not my dad). She (mom) always hated Nixon with a passion – I mean, to an Irish Catholic broad, it just didn’t get any better than JFK, and this shifty, sweaty weasel needed to get the hell out of his way.

It must have been quite a time, really, back in the first few years of the sixties (if you were white, anyway), to have gotten past the war, and elected one of your own generation – one that not only didn’t shirk military service, but actually served with distinction and heroism. Somebody with a young family, just like yours. A president that sounded intelligent when he spoke, and that the rest of the world (for the most part) didn’t hate. Somebody (as it turned out) that you could at least count on not to get the goddamn world blown up.

And here, 46 years later, we find ourselves saddled with an ignorant, incurious, lunatic with an Oedipus complex and his finger on the button, who thinks God is telling him what to do. Enabling this dark farce of a president is every branch of the United States government – enabling and cowering before him, going along to get along, and to get a slice – even just a few crumbs – of the pie. Of course it’s a pie made from the rotting flesh and severed limbs of men, women, and children – Iraqis and Americans, soldiers and civilians, whose lives have been destroyed, both in armed combat, and from the reprehensible policies this wretched, filthy, shameless government has foisted upon the citizens of this world.

That’s what this election that’s coming up is all about – taking at least one branch of this government away from these morally bankrupt demons (yes, I too smell the sulfur), and at least stop them from making things worse.

I mostly agree that if you vote for the lesser of two evils, you still get something evil, except it really does make a difference just how evil the greater evil is, and the effect of the aggregate evil. In isolation, these people are bad, but let them come together, achieve critical mass, and rise to power, and the next thing you know they’re invading Poland (or Iraq) and building concentration camps and secret prisons where they claim the “legal” authority to hold and torture anyone, at any time.

Those that pull the strings right now really are evil. Their enablers have no shame. I am under no illusion that a Democratic majority in one or both Houses of Congress means things suddenly will all be OK again (truth be told, things were never “all OK”), but if the Republicans remain in complete control of this government, then Bush and his masters will take it as a mandate to escalate the rape and pillage of our planet (and frankly, I have no desire to be subject to the whims of George Bush’s “higher father”). They need to be stopped, and, all bravado, righteous indignation, and idle threats aside, that can only begin to happen if we take away their rubber stamp on November 7^th.

Afterwards, well, I don’t know. With any luck, we can start worrying about that on November 8^th.

It was nice to hear Marc and Jim (not to mention Kristapea and Andy) on the radio yesterday, plus see a few old friends here who haven’t been around much lately.  Marc and Jim will be back on again today (you know, I never used to care for Jerry’s show, but now that he’s got these shitcanned AAR hosts subbing for him, it’s gotten much better; maybe Lizz Winstead will be on next week), so pull up a stream (either go to AAR’s Jerry page, try the WSAI page, or use this Windows Media link), and check back in around 9:00 (Eastern). Maybe we can talk ’em into taking all the screws out of Dr. Laura’s chair before they go.

Call in at 1-877-34-JERRY (1-877-345-3779).

NOTE: As most everybody knows by now, Marc and Jim are guest hosting for Springer today.

Call in at 1-877-34-JERRY (that’s 1-877-345-3779, I think).

Thursday already? Damn, my life seems to be flying past me. You hear about that shit from all the old people when you’re young, but damned if it doesn’t still come as surprise when it happens to you. Supposed to get some snow fluffies this morning (haven’t looked out the window yet; maybe I can find a webcam on the Internet so I don’t have to get out from under the covers), but otherwise it should be a sunny (but chilly) day. The kids from India always look at me like I’m nuts when it’s 40 outside, and I’m just wearing my dungaree jacket. It’s always fun to see the looks on their faces when it actually gets cold. Have a good day.

Here we go, another Wednesday. There was a rather disappointing poll released last night here in the NY-25, with the Bush rubber stamp, Jim Walsh, supposedly 9.5% ahead of Dan Maffei, his Democratic challenger. Shortly after its release, though, there was this:

The Post-Standard/NewsChannel 9 poll, completed by Zogby International of Utica, was released at 5 p.m., but quickly recalled after the pollster discovered an error that tainted the results.

Zogby has agreed to do an entirely new poll.

Gee, I wonder what’s up with that? Whatever happens, I have a feeling it’s gonna be a long, rather excruciating couple of weeks ’til election day.

I figured it was only fair that we give equal time to the Republican candidates for office, so here’s a list of some of them, with links to help you get a sense of what they’re all about.

–AZ-Sen: Jon Kyl
–AZ-01: Rick Renzi
–AZ-05: J.D. Hayworth
–CA-04: John Doolittle
–CA-11: Richard Pombo
–CA-50: Brian Bilbray
–CO-04: Marilyn Musgrave
–CO-05: Doug Lamborn
–CO-07: Rick O’Donnell
–CT-04: Christopher Shays
–FL-13: Vernon Buchanan
–FL-16: Joe Negron
–FL-22: Clay Shaw
–ID-01: Bill Sali
–IL-06: Peter Roskam
–IL-10: Mark Kirk
–IL-14: Dennis Hastert
–IN-02: Chris Chocola
–IN-08: John Hostettler
–IA-01: Mike Whalen
–KS-02: Jim Ryun
–KY-03: Anne Northup
–KY-04: Geoff Davis
–MD-Sen: Michael Steele
–MN-01: Gil Gutknecht
–MN-06: Michele Bachmann
–MO-Sen: Jim Talent
–MT-Sen: Conrad Burns
–NV-03: Jon Porter
–NH-02: Charlie Bass
–NJ-07: Mike Ferguson
–NM-01: Heather Wilson
–NY-03: Peter King
–NY-20: John Sweeney
–NY-26: Tom Reynolds
–NY-29: Randy Kuhl
–NC-08: Robin Hayes
–NC-11: Charles Taylor
–OH-01: Steve Chabot
–OH-02: Jean Schmidt
–OH-15: Deborah Pryce
–OH-18: Joy Padgett
–PA-04: Melissa Hart
–PA-07: Curt Weldon
–PA-08: Mike Fitzpatrick
–PA-10: Don Sherwood
–RI-Sen: Lincoln Chafee
–TN-Sen: Bob Corker
–VA-Sen: George Allen
–VA-10: Frank Wolf
–WA-Sen: Mike McGavick
–WA-08: Dave Reichert

Hey, it’s Tuesday, and I’m actually not behind in anything.  Well, not much anyway.  And to think, it only took about 12 hours a day with my ass in the chair in front of the computer to get my shit together.  Oh, well, not much point in getting ahead in anything.  I guess I’ll just screw off until I’m way behind again.  Should take about a day.

One week ’til Halloween.  I remember when I used to give a shit about that.  Now, it’s just another reason to hide in the basement with all the lights off (like I needed an excuse for that).

Oh boy, it’s Monday. I hope you all had a good weekend. I know those of you who made the trip to Beantown to see Marc had a good time. The best I could do was eat a lot of beans, which means that the dog and I have been spending a lot of quality time alone together. Yesterday was doggie central at the park; I guess after all the rain we’ve had, all the fair weather dog people figured they’d get out a bit. There hasn’t been so much butt sniffing since Marc Foley showed up drunk at the page dorm.

BTW, in preparation for the return of Mike Malloy, you may have noticed that I added Multimedia links for the Nova M Internet stream a few days ago (there’s one for Windows Media format, and one for the Shoutcast – mp3 – stream, that will work in anything that supports WinAmp playlists; yes, even iTunes, if you must). Nova M is encouraging everybody to tune in and hit the stream as much and for as long as possible, so they can make sure they have adequate streaming capability (I reckon they don’t want to get caught with their streams in the wind, the way AAR did). So, turn on, tune in, and hopefully it won’t drop out.

Another snark, another Sunday.

Today, Timmy Potatohead hosts the “future of the Democratic Party.” No, not Joe Lieberman (good guess though). It’s Senator Barack Obama, apparently (according to Time Magazine, anyway). Then an even worse “Roundtable” discussion than usual, with tired old has-been and WaPost “senior” hack, David Broder, WSJ hack John Harwood, pollster Charlie Cook, and Count Novakula. I think I’ll pretend it’s next week, and sleep in an extra hour or so.

Over at Faze the Nation, Bob Schieffer hosts Chucky Schumer, and icky Liddy “no wonder Bob needs Viagra” Dole, along with Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report.

On Fux News Sunday, fuxface Chris Wallace hosts a discussion on how dear leader did such a great job with those evil old North Koreans, with a buncha worthless Senators – Dick Lugar, John Warner, and Senator MBNA. Plus Carl Levin, who isn’t as worthless as the rest of them (IMHO). Then weaselface has Richard Branson, who I hope will offer send the whole damn bunch of them into orbit – and leave them there.

Wolf Blitzer’s Late Emission has a typically fair and balanced^™ show, with Bill the Cat (killer) Frist on to answer the question, “will Republicans hold Congress, or will the world go up in a big mushroom cloud?” Plus, batshit crazy (and nowhere near as good looking as Liddy Dole) Kay Bailey Hutchison and Jack Reed of Rhode Island, will be on to “debate strategy in Iraq.” I guess Hutchison will argue that the Bush administration has a strategy. Other fairly imbalanced guests include Al “I have assumed control” Haig, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Stormin’ Norman Ornstein, Mikey Allen of Time, and Andrea “my Dad’s Ted” Koppel.

There might be a good reason to end the boycott of the Goebbels Broadcasting Network, but This Weak with George Snufalufagus sure as hell isn’t it. First, there’s an “exclusive” with dear leader himself, and then it’s John “don’t blame me I voted for” Kerry. Next, the axis of drivel is reunited, with George :jerk: Will, Cokie “the hag” Roberts, and the man with the worst toupee in the business, Sam :omg: Donaldson. Then it’s a hard-hitting news piece, as Kelly Kulick discusses her passion for bowling. Yes, Kelly has apparently broken the glass, um, bowling ball, and become the first woman to qualify for a full season on the PBA tour. I’ll bet she even has her own shoes.

Later, on 60 Minutes, Lesley Stahl profiles Nancy Pelosi (they’re teasing this story as her maybe possibly being two heartbeats away from the presidency if the Democrats take back the House; wishful thinking, or are they trying to scare the Republicans?). Then, Steve Kroft tells us how millions have been stolen from Iraq’s treasury. The Bush admnistration declined to comment, at least until they’re done distributing it to Halliburton. Finally, Scott Pelley tracks down “Jacob,” who fled his village in Darfur to escape mass murder – leaving his family behind. Well, hopefully there’ll be wacky commentary on paperclips or something from Andy Rooney to pick us all up after that one.

Have an enjoyable Sunday.

So, yesterday was really pretty here.  About 40 degrees, and pouring rain.  “Up north” (as we say around here), they got a pretty good dumping of snow, but here, just rain, rain, rain.   Warm and rain is OK by me, by cold and rain just plain sucks.  I much prefer snow (although, if it had snowed yeaterday, we’d have gotten about ten feet, I think).  Oh well, the snow will be here soon enough, I reckon.  Don’t forget, if you’re in the Boston area, you have another chance (or two) to see Marc – in Cambridge, at the Sanders Theater at Harvard, and another show at Jimmy Tingle’s in Somerville.

If you’re in the Boston area, don’t forget to go and see Marc tonight at Jimmy Tingle’s in Somerville.