FAIL FAIL.

Doubtless, there will be many political posts in the next week or so. Topics include 1) how big the Obama win will be 2) what will Obama's executive team look like and 3) who is the early frontrunner for GOP 2012. But first...

Look, folks: failblog is hilarious. And yes, it says a lot in just four letters. However, I'm calling a fail bubble and predicting overconsumption in the fail market. It's going to go away and be a marker of the late oughts, just like Sarah Palin, cream-colored Cadillac Escalades and huge Bluetooth earpieces that make you look like an uncool Lt. Uhura. Get it out now while it lasts.

That is all.

Halloween

Celebrate Halloween with the greatest music video ever made!

They wouldn't let me embed it.

Favorite Horror Movies

Thought I would open a discussion about everyone's favorite horror films. Some of you might not be as big of a fan of the genre as I am, but I am curious to hear your favorites....

p.s. I watched "John Carpenter's The Thing" last night on hulu and forgot that it is a damn good movie.

Disappointing, I know.

Chris, Vince and Bruce will be disappointed to learn about someone's forgetfulness. Mike and myself, on the other hand, may not be so sad.

Contempt for Science

Here is a nice article by Slate's Christopher Hitchens on the growing contempt for science within extreme right/religious circles (i.e. Sarah Palin and her "witchdoctor" church folk).

Sarah, Tina, or an impostor

NFL Week 8

OAK @ BAL
ARI @ CAR
TB @ DAL
WAS @ DET
BUF @ MIA
STL @ NE
SD @ NO
KC @ NYJ
ATL @ PHI
CLE @ JAC
CIN @ HOU
NYG @ PIT
SEA @ SF

Mon, Oct 27
IND @ TEN

Bush's Endorsement

I almost forgot what SNL was like in the early 2000's.

Breakfast sandwiches.

I'm a little frustrated these days with politics, so let's talk about something that I like: fast-food breakfast sandwiches (hereafter abbreviated as FFBS).

In particular, I would like to praise the chefs at Jack-in-the-Box, who have developed the Sausage Croissant Combo. It consists of a croissant sandwich with sausage, egg and cheese (hold the cheese, please), hash brown sticks and a cup of coffee. All of this can be yours for the low, low price of $3.65. While this is not necessarily a great culinary experience, I have found the my local JinB consistently delivers a tasty (and what appears to be hand-fried) egg and the hash brown sticks range from acceptable to sublime.

I submit to you that this is the best deal in FFBS. McDonald's has the McGriddle, which is a fantastic sandwich, but far too pricey at > $5.90 for the combo meal. Burger King's Croissan'Wich is better priced, but still rather mundane. Starbucks' foray into FFBS were tasty, but far too high priced and the ingredients poorly selected.

I try not to buy these very often, but they're quite good when I can get them. It may be my favorite fast food discovery in southern California. In-and-Out Burger is quite good, but overrated, especially when compared to the fine burger that you can get at Culver's. There -- now I'm ready for a healthy ( believe it or not) dinner.

Dressing on a budget

As someone who never buys anything that isn't on clearance, the $150,000 Sarah Palin spending spree astonishes me. I know she is in the spotlight, but seriously.John Edwards got ripped on for his $400 hair cuts, but she gets to spend $15,000 a month on a make-up artist? I have embedded a video of the supposed "uppity" candidate and his family talking about dressing on a budget. But I guess he can't relate to the Joe ______s of the country.

Can Obama really help us with more Central Planning?

This is a good article on the problem I have with Central Planning. It basically recaps a 20/20 episode about the ability of the government to solve our problems.

I've said it all along, more Govt. is not the answer.

Obama's philosophy is BS!!

What do you think?

Blog housekeeping:

1. Added "recent comments" feature.
2. Changed template -- I think it is a better use of space.

If people object, I'll change it back without question. Comment away.

NFL Week 7

BAL @ MIA
PIT @ CIN
NO @ CAR
SF @ NYG
MIN @ CHI
TEN @ KC
SD @ BUF
DAL @ STL
DET @ HOU
IND @ GB
CLE @ WAS
NYJ @ OAK
SEA @ TB

Mon, Oct 20
DEN @ NE

I thought we (USA) were a republic, and for good reason.

All this tax policy talk has got me asking the age old question, "Do average people really know what is best for the country?"

“Democracy arises out of the notion that those who are equal in any respect are equal in all respects; because men are equally free, they claim to be absolutely equal.” Aristotle

“Democracy is when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers.” Aritotle

I always thought it was quintessential for our success as a nation that we stick to our republic roots.

When I turn on the TV and find reports on the registration of new voters I shutter in fear. Are these the people that get to determine the rules of the game? The simple fact is that the uneducated outnumber the educated. The lazy outnumber the hardworking. The freeloaders outnumber the earners.

So do we really think it is wise to give the “under”class so much power?

Should the majority (since more that 50% of people pay little to none of Federal Income Tax) have the right to raise taxes on the minority?

Maybe we need to find a balance here, but the system we have…which every day is becoming a democracy (poll first, think second)…seems to be broken.

I think the Taylor Group could make better decisions than the system we currently have!!

Joe The Douchebag

Turns out Joe The Plumber isn't even a licensed plumber! Also, he is not even close to making $250,000 a year. Maybe he shouldn't discuss tax increases when he owes the state of Ohio $1,000 (edited for Jim) in back taxes.

Middleclassness, i.e. "Don't raise my taxes!"

Just picking nits here:

I think it's terribly funny, all this fuss about "Joe the Plumber". McCain was certainly right to jump on this, but it's this same damn debate about whether or not we should have taxes, who should pay them, race and class. Don't forget competence in government, wasteful spending, socialism, etc.

1) To Obama: You blew it from the beginning of your campaign. By accepting Hillary Clinton's definition of "middle class" (that is, $250,000), you've defined "middle class", "working families" and the like at 250K. That's the top 5% of income earning households! What the hell were you thinking?

2) To "Joe The Plumber": First, thanks for getting Obama to admit that he wants to "spread the wealth around." Redistribution is something Democrats don't really want to talk about. Second, guess what? If you're pulling down 250K in income (in Ohio!), you're definitely at the top 5% of income earners. Sorry, buddy, you're going to see your taxes go up.

Here's my point: I am not an economist, but I get the feeling that the US government's going to need a little cash in the next few years. I don't really know the area under the income distribution curve for the top 5%, but I get the feeling it's not enough. It's a crap sandwich, but better higher taxes on the "middle class" than government defaulting on its obligations, etc. I'd like to think it went to pay for debt service and tanks to scare 3rd world countries, but that's an argument for another time.

Palin as President

Have you ever wondered what an extreme mavericky president would look like?

Be sure to click on everything in the picture, and don't forget to visit Camel-stan!

Obama XBOX campaigning

You have to give the Obama campaign props on their innovative advertising. Not only has he blitzed the internet and text messages, but he has now began to advertise in XBOX 360 games. Courting younger voters is a brilliant idea (even if John Stossel seems to disagree), and may push Obama to a huge victory in November.

Incite or insight?

“We know that in the war, it’s terrorists, terrorists who hate America and her allies and would seek to destroy us, and the bad guys are those who would support and sympathize with the terrorists,” she said. “They do not like America because of what we stand for. Liberty. Freedom. Equal rights. Those who sympathize and support those terrorists who would seek to destroy all that it is that we value, those are the bad guys, OK?”— Sarah Palin warned the audience about the threat of terrorism, and explained that the Republican ticket should be elected because “we know who the bad guys are.”

I gave McCain credit for taking a hit on friday in Minnesota and trying to move his campaign away from the "Obama as Terrorist" path to the gutter. It didn't last long.

Football Questions?

Alright it is time for us to discuss two issues with the Cowboys-Cards game this afternoon. First, what about this tuck rule? How can you throw an incomplete pass in the endzone when sack is imminent? Shouldn't this have at least been intentional grounding and thus a safety?

Second, what is the deal with Romo? I called this Cardinals win. Late afternoon, national television, Warner vs Romo...I go with Warner. Prior to the start of the season I felt the Cowboys were probably the best team in the league. However, the Giants have proved me wrong. Their weakness is just not clear right now. However, is Romo to blame for the Cowboys being inconsistent or is it that he does not get enough credit when they win?

Week 6

Sun, Oct 12

CHI @ ATL
MIA @ HOU
BAL @ IND
DET @ MIN
OAK @ NO
CIN @ NYJ
CAR @ TB
STL @ WAS
JAC @ DEN
DAL @ ARI
PHI @ SF
GB @ SEA
NE @ SD

Mon, Oct 13
NYG @ CLE

Week 5 results: RET: 7, JCT: 5

"...we will be respectful."

I feel that negative campaigning, a part of every election, spiraled out of control over the past week. Likely, people's concerns about the economy are compounded by their ignorance, hateful emails (which unfortunately some believe), and some members of a campaign staff that believe it is the only way to win. Here McCain shows his true colors, which have occasionally appeared on the trail.

It's over

"Obama owned it. This election’s over unless he murders and eats the flesh of a child on live television." - Will Wilkinson.

Needless to say, I'm on record since Iowa on the Dems' big year. I hate it when I'm right.

Congratulations, Kristen and Pat!

A lovely wedding for a lovely couple. Congratulations, Pat and Kristen!

Open Political Thread (not that we need one)

So post your comments here.  Debates (pres, VP).  general thoughts 

Week 5

TEN @ BAL
ATL @ GB
KC @ CAR
SD @ MIA
WAS @ PHI
SEA @ NYG
IND @ HOU
CHI @ DET
TB @ DEN
BUF @ ARI
CIN @ DAL
NE @ SF
PIT @ JAC

Mon, Oct 06
MIN @ NO

Put your picks in the comments and pick 'em! I'll be coming back from the Fleming-Ryan nuptials, so I'll have to pick earlier than I like.

now that's a mugshot

here's a link to the full story: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0930082cow1.html