Long Time Gone

It has been revealed that the Clinton campaign has been planting (at least one) question-asker in the audience, as footage of one such person "winking" as she sat down has surfaced. The Clinton campaign admitted to it, at least, but one wonders what an H. Clinton administration would look like if the campaign is rather disingenuously orchestrated? I'd still take that White House over the current one, any day.

U.S. Holds Going-Out-Of-Business Sale WASHINGTON, DC-President Bush has urged American consumers to get a piece of history, or just stock up on their favorite items.

What on earth is Musharraf doing? Does it have anything to do w/Benazir Bhutto's return? What is going on??!! However, I strongly disagree with the alarmism that's rampant in the media whenever something approaching a crisis occurs, along with the doomsday predictions, etc. That's temporo-centric; placing more emphasis on what's going on now simply because it's going on now. Granted, the outcome is unknown, but I still don't believe in alarmism.

Associated Press 11/5/07 Stephen Colbert has dropped his bid for the White House. His announcement came after the South Carolina Democratic Executive Council voted last week to keep the host of "The Colbert Report" off the state's primary ballot. The vote was 13-3. Colbert poses as a conservative talk-show host on the Comedy Central show. "Although I lost by the slimmest margin in presidential election history — only 10 votes — I have chosen not to put the country through another agonizing Supreme Court battle," Colbert said Monday in a statement. "It is time for this nation to heal." Colbert had said he would run only in his native South Carolina, a key primary state. He said he planned to run as a Democrat and a Republican — so he could lose twice. Colbert, 43, later declined to file with the GOP, which has a much higher filing fee ($35,000) than the Democrats ($2,500). "I want to say to my supporters, this is not over," Colbert said. ...

The day after Halloween is the first day of Christmas, especially judging by how quickly the "holiday" themed commercials began.

Japan's leader gets silly with the microphone while Clinton is trying to talk seriously, among other laugh-worthy gaffes.

An unusual weather forecast.

Here is Naomi Wolf on the Report. I don't agree with her argument at all, but I think she's a mesmerizing presence and persuasive speaker. She's a pretty strong challenger to Colbert's tricky verbal acrobatics.

Where's the democracy? The racket surrounding the healthcare racket in the US.

Anderson Cooper endeavors to interview one of the sketchy head honchos of the Church of Scientology. A convincing look by a reputable professional at life in Clearwater, Florida, where Scientology maintains its intelligence headquarters.

Walmart decided to start Christmas sales early this year...today. Have they no shame? Actually, I heard that they are struggling with profitability, which is probably a stronger motivation for a sale than Christmas cheer.

Technically speaking, if one can afford to overeat, why would begging on the street be necessary? Hmmm...it's kind of like homeless people with dogs--if you give them money, would they spend it on dog food or feed themselves?

Nina Petersen-Perlman Star Tribune November 01, 2007 The Senate has passed one version; the House is to vote this month on a measure similar to one championed by the late Paul Wellstone. Five years after the death of Sen. Paul Wellstone, a groundbreaking bill he championed requiring health insurers to cover mental health conditions in the same way as physical ailments is gaining political momentum and could finally become law. The late senator pushed for so-called "mental health parity," in part because his brother had bipolar disorder. Last month, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved its version of the legislation. A more ambitious House bill, which has 270 cosponsors, is scheduled for a vote later this month. Critics of the more sweeping House version -- mainly in the insurance and health care industries -- warn that it could drive up costs and even cause some people to lose benefits...