Events of May 12 in THE REAGAN YEARS:

1984: Philip Abrams, second-highest official in the Housing Department, opines that hispanics live in crowded housing conditions not because of poverty but because of "cultural preference, I'm told."

1987: It is revealed that Oliver North lost ten million dollars contributed by the Sultan of Brunei (ranked as the world's richest monarch) for the Contras by getting the number of a Swiss bank account wrong.

1984: Philip Abrams, second-highest official in the Housing Department, opines that hispanics live in crowded housing conditions not because of poverty but because of "cultural preference, I'm told."

Ronald Reagan, the president who brought you Ketchup as a vegetable.

I will never understand why Republicans revere him so. Like, I agree that the Iron Curtain was bad, hurray for the end of the Iron Curtain, but hello? Events in your own country??

I'm so filled with glee. Andrew Sullivan posted an email I sent him this morning.

My first dip in the political blog pool is about pubic hair. Hilarious.

I agree with your reaction, but the problem is that nobody created has a catchy phrase for "prostitution slavery".

Teppy Slavery, perhaps?

That phrase would work, except none of you FUCKOS even *tried.* I feel so rejected.

Hmmm...The Bolton nomination is going to the Senate floor. Not sure how close the confirmation vote is. I wouldn't be surprised if Cheney is going to have to vote.

Question for the Hivemind: Tomorrow I have to interview a prospective new hire, and I've conducted exactly one job interview, years ago, and it involved viewing the prospect's portfolio so I at least had some clue as to how to go about it. Any suggestions for good questions to ask?

You'd not think that if you went to your craxy never-at-the-office makes-you-do-their-job boss and told them precisely what you thought of them (including profanity and personal criticism), with your resignation letter right in hand that you'd end up getting transferred to the branch not two miles from where you work, in the position of your choice, with a 100% raise, would you?

Yet ... happened to this guy here's wife.

Damn, ita, I might try that next time. Assuming there is a branch to be transferred to.

Matt, in addition to the basic stuff about their resume and experience, I like to ask about what the person likes/doesn't like in terms of working style, environment, etc. It's how my old boss and I got someone to tell us she wouldn't want to work around people who swear a lot.

You'd not think that if you went to your craxy never-at-the-office makes-you-do-their-job boss and told them precisely what you thought of them (including profanity and personal criticism), with your resignation letter right in hand that you'd end up getting transferred to the branch not two miles from where you work, in the position of your choice, with a 100% raise, would you?

I love it when life imitates Office Space.

A few quick points, before disappearing for another fortnight...

• I am as busy as a dyslexic typesetter with work. That is, I make a lot of my own problems, and I'm kind of obsolete.

• in re. Veronica Mars: All of my speculations on this subject have been as useful as a dyslexic typesetter.

• The Felicity tapes Beej found are not as marketable as we would have hoped. All plans to goldplate the Buffistas servers should be put on hold, pending other funding.

• Number one interview question: "How do you feel about No Pants Friday?"

Now, back to the printing press.