I'll take "Potpourri" for $200, Alex

Political quote of the day, from Jake at Lying Media Bastards: "I don't care if Mary Cheney is attracted to men, women, or baked potatoes. Her father is an evil fuck, and that's all I need to know. Can we get to the important stuff now?"

Runner up, from a crazy Jewish man: "Of course, I wish President Bush would increase funds for stem cell research. But if Israel is not safe and secure, what do I care about abortion and fresh air?"

(Now I'm bracing for hate mail from Google-happy cranks who'll assume I'm an anti-Semite. You know, like how 9/11 must not have bothered me at all if I'm tired of terrorism being used as a political wedge.)

***

In other dubious news, my ever-entertaining political mailing lists are now encouraging me to vote absentee. The rationale is that by voting absentee:
1) You'll have a paper trail (unlike with touchscreen machines).
2) You'll be able to do other things on Election Day like give people rides to the polls and answer any personal work/home emergencies that come up.
3) It'll give your candidate warm fuzzies to have votes already before November 2 even comes.
4) Polling places are going to be overwhelmed on Election Day.

I have no good argument against #1 except that if the election is going to be stolen, it will be -- they'll find a way. As for #2, I'm not going to be able to take the day off to help, but I'll make time to actually vote. #3 is not compelling. #4? True, but election officials are also overwhelmed by absentee ballots from actual absentee voters. Let's get those processed before able-bodied locals start voting absentee just to get a receipt.