Fried plantains -- yum.

Then some stuff about alternative energy. Ok, I can go along with that. I'm skeptical about the administration's commitment here, but....oh hell, I just really don't believe much will actually happen.

First: I propose to double the federal commitment to the most critical basic research programs in the physical sciences over the next 10 years. This funding will support the work of America's most creative minds as they explore promising areas such as nanotechnology, supercomputing, and alternative energy sources.

Ok, I'm cool with that.

Second: I propose to make permanent the research and development tax credit, to encourage bolder private-sector investment in technology. With more research in both the public and private sectors, we will improve our quality of life -- and ensure that America will lead the world in opportunity and innovation for decades to come.

Sounds good.

Third: We need to encourage children to take more math and science, and make sure those courses are rigorous enough to compete with other nations. We have made a good start in the early grades with the No Child Left Behind Act, which is raising standards and lifting test scores across our country.

Tonight I propose to train 70,000 high school teachers, to lead advanced-placement courses in math and science, bring 30,000 math and science professionals to teach in classrooms, and give early help to students who struggle with math, so they have a better chance at good, high-wage jobs.

I have my doubts about this. I suspect when it comes to funding the idea will wither away.

Nam June Paik, R.I.P.

Sorry, Smirky McMonkeyface. When you kill thousands of civilians in an unjust war that you lied in order to start, I don't think you believe in the God-given dignity of ANYTHING. You tumor on the soul of America.

why do you have to insult the monkeys?

You're right. That simian slander was entirely uncalled for.

ATTENTION MONKEYS OF THE WORLD! I apologize for drawing any parallels between our president and your species. You are far more intelligent, have that prehensile tail thing going, and you have much better accuracy at flinging poo.

Please accept my humble apologies. You may resume flinging poo now.

The Times also recently had an article by a restaurant reviewer who did time as a waiter for a week. Very funny, and pretty dead on.

It's a shame Frank Bruni is such a piss-poor restaurant critic, because he seems like he made an okay waiter. (His hysterical review of the ninja restaurant aside, he hands out stars based entirely on the cost of the meal. Pompous prick.)

I will say, I boiled and mashed plaintains once, with butter and lime juice, and that wasn't bad. A bit -- there's a funny undertone of half-ripe plaintains, that disappears when they're fried, but is very persent when they're boiled. Sort of sharp, hard to describe.

Now I feel like I ought to do a bland-off between plaintains and turnips, two food items that I can and do eat but don't love. They're both like "artistic" potatoes, and have more flavor than potatoes, and I always think that if only I try some new recipe, the wonderfulness of the artistic not-potato will be revealed.

Some hopeful nation blather... whatever

These gains are evidence of a quiet transformation -- a revolution of conscience, in which a rising generation is finding that a life of personal responsibility is a life of fulfillment.

And they worry about children in our society who need direction and love and about fellow citizens still displaced by natural disaster and about suffering caused by treatable disease.

No words about this part. There is hypocracy and bs and... argh.

and support for abstinence and adoption have made a difference in the character of our country.

Yes, it has. It has made this country even more small-minded and misogynist.

Oh, I love Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet. Even though I think much of it is not very good, the good parts are wonderful. There was a spell back about a month ago where it was on cable every other day it seemed. No matter what, I could not NOT watch, at least up until Leomeo drives off into the desert with Balthazar Getty.

And from upthread, thanks for posting the links to the TAR 9 teams, sumi. I had to stop watching TAR:FE. Nearly broke my heart. I want my show back so badly.

Yet many Americans, especially parents, still have deep concerns about the direction of our culture, and the health of our most basic institutions. They are concerned about unethical conduct by public officials, and discouraged by activist courts that try to redefine marriage.

Well yes, but I don't think I'm worried in quite the way that he means....