Quote of the day - Bush talking about how he can help the Middle East peace process:

"I can press when there needs to be pressed; I can hold hands when there needs to be—hold hands."

Someone reboot him.

[link]

I totally agree about the complexity! I wonder if there is a cool algorithim one could use to factor in variables.

I gather (although I'm only a seasonal watcher of these things) that that's a lot of what they've been doing with exit polling in recent years -- but if anything, what I've gotten from this campaign so far is (1) COULDN'T YOU PEOPLE HAVE STAYED HOME UNTIL THIS WEEK RATHER THAN STARTING A YEAR AGO?! and (2) however much the parties and the commentators want there to be a nice predictable script, it's not going to happen this early. (And also, (3) People apparently really do hate Giuliani as much as is true and right and just.)

My cynical this week is aimed squarely at the whole dance of "Of course Clinton's going to win! Of course Clinton's totally finished and everyone hates her now that she lost in one tiny place! This is a huge comeback and of course she's going to win!!"

I guess I'm pretty indifferent whether it is Clinton or Obama. I like them both, though I find Obama personally way more charismatic and interesting. But in terms of policy, don't their voting records have almost 90% overlap?

This, and yep.

m:Indian food, f:Vietnamese food, c:Chinese food

c:ham, m:turkey, f:roast beef

f:noon, m:midnight, c:6AM

Did anyone else worry that Clinton's surprising resurgence is a result of the Republicans panicking over losing her as a target if Obama got the nomination? Could her win be partially attributed to an open primary and Republicans wanting her to beat up in the general election instead of Obama who might be more electable? Or am I completely cynical?

It didn't surprise me at all. I was trying to convince people just yesterday that I thought she would win in NH, which has always seemed to me much more about ground politics and talking to people and less about speeches. For me, Obama's main asset is his speeches.

What the fuck is wrong with people? I had this conversation:

me: hello.

Fuckcake Parent: My name is Betty ComplicatedName, spelled C-O-M

Me: (inside voice) I don't need to know how your name is spelled until I know what you want.

FP: My son is eligible for your program, and I have a few questions.

Me: Okay, I just need to confirm that. Can you tell me the city and state of his high school?*

FP: Baltimore, MD. Franklin High School

Me: I'm sorry, I don't have him on my list

FP: The name is spelled C-O-M . . .

Me: Ma'am, I don't even have the high school on my list

FP: C-O-M . . .

Me: I'm sorry, it's not here. If I can't confirm that he's eligible for the program, I can't help you. His school is not on the list. If the school had no eligible students, it won't be on the list.

FP: Franklin High School, Baltimore Maryland

Me: Sorry.

FP: Well, we got this Christmas card in the mail with the brochure!

Me: and you think that getting the brochure made him eligible?

FP: Well . . .

Me: (looking at list) Wait, is the name spelled C-O-M . . .

FP: yes

Me: According to the list, Franklin High School is in Reisterstown, not Baltimore.

FP: Oh, well, yeah. It's near Baltimore, but it's Reisterstown.

Me: @@

Not as good as MM stories, but still annoying as hell.

I'm flabbergasted that a parent would call for her grown son. This is a college program, right?

I'm flabbergasted that a parent would call for her grown son. This is a college program, right?

oh, you have NO idea of the shit I get. I once had a parent call me because the internet wasn't working his kid's dorm room.

All this potato talk is making me crave carbs for lunch.

My son can't view his porn!

When I was a senior, my mother had me 1) Fill out all the applications for college and financial aid by myself 2) Call to arrange visits etc. by myself 3) Figure out how to get to those schools by myself while also looking for a summer job and studying for finals.

Grow up, people!