I must point out the following exhange I had with Papa Moose, though, the OSC fan who won the trivia contest at Endercon, and consequently became a character in Card's new book:

Doc:

It was pretty fun. I had a good time, and I didn't even vote for an actor or journalist or porn star. Or slime ball.

Papa Moose:

Skipped that question, huh?

I had some points in this thread over at hatrack.com that I didn't want to try to recreate here, because a lot of them need to be read in context, but I still thought were worth a gander.

Don't worry, I won't point you to everything I write at Hatrack. But these are pretty much my feelings on these issues.

Come on and watch 'em run . . . .

It's amazing how many votes a margin-of-error candidate can get.

On my ballot, the little line I drew for Tom McClintock was exactly opposite the little line I drew on the other side of the paper to vote yes on the recall. If my marker would have bled, I still would have been okay.

. . . ballots really aren't that hard to use . . .

I have the coolest friends: Everyone I've talked to so far today voted for Tom McClintock. You all just rock.

I guess I have to say something about the Rush situation.

The most damaging thing, in my mind, is the image of him standing in Denny's parking lots at night like a hoodlum. Despite the constant accusations of conservative hypocracy by the liberals (that we'll pick on Clinton when he's naughty, but stand up for our own people) the fact is that scandal does destroy conservative politicians, and it can effect conservative commentators as well.

The comments about McNabb were less pithy than everybody wants to make them. I remember pretty much the opposite being said about Larry Bird on more than one occasion and no resignations were tendered and no heads were served up on platters, and, likely as not, the comments about Bird were probably true. The McNabb comments probably are, too.

It was probably wise of Rush to give up the job, though. Can you imagine the uproar if he actually had said anything with teeth?

In case you weren't aware, David Blaine has been hanging out in a box in England. It's created quite the media frenzy, as he's had an assasination scare, a nut try to cut his water tube, and mocking him declared to be the mark of a true Brit.

I guess the Brits need something to keep them entertained, since they can't hold royal recall elections.

Although I would like to vote for Rowan Atkinson for prime minister.

Story of my life

Remember when Arnold wasn't going to run?

In my best Homestarrunner voice: Water is weird.

Well, I've joined the ranks of a group I never wanted to be a part of. I'm a cell-phone toter now. As part of my new job, I now am required to carry a cell phone with me at pretty much all times.

I'm not very good at it. In fact, I'm pretty lousy at it. For instance, yesterday another area manager called me while I was in the grocery store. I learned there is a knack to shopping and talking on the phone at the same time. Otherwise, you just look like you're wandering up and down the aisles chatting away. I don't think you're supposed to go to the grocery store to talk to your friends on the phone. I only think you're supposed to do that at the mall.