There's argument to be made that rage can be a kind of addiction for some, which would explain the Becks and Coulters. I find that I can just chip once in a while with the good stuff, you know, for the fun of it.

And , although I get where your friends are comming from Stunthusband -- fear is like rage. Unless directed into action , it isn't helpful. I have loved ones that get both ragey and fearfilled. I can't talk them out of it, but I can suggest action ( including in this case - research)

I totally agree. The action I'm taking to avoid blowing up (almost literally; sometimes my blood pressure gets so high I'm sure I'll pop like a balloon - both the Reasons have witnessed me in this condition) is to educate educate educate them.

I may "win" by helping them off the fear-ledge. I hope so. For their sakes, not just my own. I'm afraid of a rash of suicides amongst newly-hopeless men I've known and loved for 20+ years.

In somewhat different news, WTF, Rhode Island?

I totally just emailed my member of Congress, even though I know she's totally on my side of every issue. Hilariously, one of the areas you can check off for more information is "Hellenic issues." I live in a traditionally Greek neighborhood.

I'm just wondering how the town hall meeting that Obama is doing in New Hampshire today will go (or went). I mean, it's one thing for assclowns to damn near riot in a meeting run by a member of Congress, but you know that Obama has many, many Secret Service people with him, and they ain't gonna tolerate any violence in Obama's general vicinity.

I desperately want to see healthcare rioters get smacked down and arrested.

If Henry Louis Gates could get arrested for "disturbing the peace" in his own house, then surely the healthcare rioters qualify for a good old-fashioned smackdown by the long arm of the law.

one of the areas you can check off for more information is "Hellenic issues."

I am NOT GETTING ENOUGH BAKLAVA, DAMN IT!!!! There ought to be a law!

Actually, reading those statistics closely, it appears that most of RI is in the 420 area code....

Well, it sure is when he says it...he has a very Giles-with-the-chainsaw quality. Sometimes I am more like Willow with the nervous babbling. Although apparently I do have a serious "Get the hell out of my face!" face. Which surprises everyone that's ever seen it, because I don't look like "the type". And mostly, I'm not, but when I need it, it's there. ETA: With Tep, on craving "humbles" for the meeting-disrupting assclowns. Although I can't run an Olbermann fansite and complain about rage much. But his is preppy and comes with a free thesaurus, almost. I think it's sexy.

I am NOT GETTING ENOUGH BAKLAVA, DAMN IT!!!! There ought to be a law!

Right?!? It doesn't help that my immediate neighborhood is much more miscellaneous with big Brazilian and Bangladeshi populations -- I have to go blocks and blocks for decent taromasalata.

Don't know what PUA is, don't really need to find out.

The Healthcare thing makes me mad, because all the ludicrous BS and shouting down is making real rebate impossible. I'd really like to see the drivers of health care costs examined in the media, then see how different reforms will attempt to address that situation. It's frustrating to see coverage of ideological zealots shouting at town hall events instead with arguments that are flat out lies.

I'm concerned about the deficit, but healthcare costs and the deficit are part and parcel. Doing nothing will destroy the budget. I'd like Obama's opponents to come up with a plan and explain why it's better.