To quickly change the subject . . .
 

Well, you at least have to compliment the GOP on a rather cunning strategy: raise the filibuster issue in 2001, shortly after it becomes a problem, keep pushing the question for four years, all for use as a cover in 2005, after Bush gets reelected, and proposes a program that is less popular than anticipated. Brilliant!

To quickly change the subject . . .
 

We are long-term-goal oriented, aren't we?.

Unsolicited email
 

FG's in the middle of a huge publicity push right now, and this letter fits in well. Last time I was in a major eastern city, they had their booths and their placards and their banners spread over a four-block area, educating and taking donations. I even see them here in the placid midwest.

But, seriously, a couple hundred letters from (gulp!) lawyers in the US will likely make those lovably whacko chinese leaders rethink their ways, no?

To quickly change the subject . . .
 

You realize the Bush guys roadmapped invading Iraq in about 95-96, right? They really had little left to do early 1st term other than sort out this wrecking the Senate thing.

Never Explain. Never Apologize
 

But, a dry riverbed runs through it. And they have a mean coffee shop near the Ramada Inn.

Senate Vote to Approve Drilling
 

Here's a hint. It will be at least 7-10 years before the first drop of crude is pumped from a wellhead. On the bright side, perhaps between now and then, the industry will have increased its refining capacity, since, at present, they don't have enough refineries to process the crude we use now.

A REALLY Big Tent
 

If you wore your party dress, they could hold the celebration underneath.

Unsolicited email
 

You never know. The Economist just did an obit (apropos of nothing, I love their obits) of the guy who founded Amnesty International. Their letter writing has been credited with freeing political prisoners in places that would seem more resistent to worries about Western opinion than China is. (Not that I think the Chinese give much of a damn about our opinions, but if they thought it might hurt their export economy....)

To quickly change the subject . . .
 

In the ordinary course, the threat that the Dems would shut the Senate down would be at least something of a deterrent. Here, it might serve a larger purpose.

Senate Vote to Approve Drilling
 

When the Chinese economy contracts.

Political movies
 

I, for one, thank you. Having been heartsore that Dawn of the Dead was not, in fact, a parable of America's increasing sense of isolation in a hostile world, I am anxious to see if this, in fact, is a sly commentary on US/EU diplomatic point-scoring in the context of global islamist terrorism.

Unsolicited email
 

The Amnesty International campaigns sometimes have a beneficial effect -- and it seems like this guy might be worth a letter.

I think, though, that their solicitation of Spanky had as much or more to do with the "Republican League" connection than the lawyer connection.

It is rather admirable that he is "lucky he's not in a concentration camp."

S_A_M

FG has a permanent display/demonstration going outside the Chinese embassy here in DC.

Senate Vote to Approve Drilling
 

Someone in the Texas legislature recently pointed out that it's been since the 70s that we've had a new refinery built here. He was trying to argue that property tax rates had something to do with it, but I was shocked that it's been so long. There are so many between around here, I guess I sorta figured that they keep on building them.

Modest Hank
 

yesterday I posted an anology between the Passover story and the current mideast situation. I then followed with a claim that this was the best post ever on PB.

In fact I was trolling for historians- the basic post had been made by another on the old board. I was trying to see how long people's memories were- I had hoped to be called a plagerist, but instead I was simply seen as egotistic. Alas, these words we pen have short half lives it seems.

Modest Hank
 

I remember Sheila E. and her trips to Spy, and Cosmogirl before she left for Africa, but I don't remember that particular earlier post. But they were about three boards ago.