Just saw a television ad for "ObamaCare911", a book detailing warnings for individuals and businesses. $19.95, but if you order now it's just $4.95 . . . yada yada yada

It's endorsed by Michael Reagan, and that just about tells us all we need to know about who's putting this out there.

IN the beginning, the technology gods created the Internet and saw that it was good. Here, at last, was a public sphere with unlimited potential for reasoned debate and the thoughtful exchange of ideas, an enlightening conversational bridge across the many geographic, social, cultural, ideological and economic boundaries that ordinarily separate us in life, a way to pay bills without a stamp.

Then someone invented “reader comments” and paradise was lost.

The Web, it should be said, is still a marvelous place for public debate. But when it comes to reading and understanding news stories online — like this one, for example — the medium can have a surprisingly potent effect on the message. Comments from some readers, our research shows, can significantly distort what other readers think was reported in the first place.

more:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/03/opinion/sunday/this-story-stinks.html?_r=1&

I'm kind of enjoying watching Steny Hoyer's "conversation" with snivelling snotwad Eric Cantor. Hoyer brings history, Cantor brings attitude.

Our side has the grown-up.

Finally, a concession from Marilyn Musgrave.

Or so it seemed for a short time on the website of the New York Times, which initially reported Wednesday that the former Colorado Congresswoman, who never officially conceded her 2008 defeat to Democrat Betsy Markey, had done a complete reversal on what has always been her signature issue: gay marriage.

But Musgrave, who sponsored a Constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and famously said that there was no bigger threat to the country, tells FOX31 Denver that the report is flat-out wrong…

- See more at: http://coloradopols.com/diary/38594/never-mind-marilyn-musgrave-still-a-throwback#sthash.S0jsMlCU.dpuf

In my previous apartment there was a week where I was wondering if Casper was messing with me. Pictures in different rooms just started dropping off the walls, not all at once, but always when I was there alone. Then the glass globe over the ceiling light fixture detached and literally floated to the floor in a graceful arc. That was the end of it, although a couple friends offered to provide an exorcism.


I've been in this newer place for three years. Two days ago, while I was doing some bookkeeping, there was a loud popping noise as a large decorative wicker tray dropped off the wall. Ten minutes ago there was a loud bang as a wooden fish-shapped serving tray flew three feet straight out from the wall before dropping to the floor. The nails that held it to the wall are still there, and the piece is still intact.

Given the heavy rightwing presence in this community, I'm thinking I've managed to piss off some republican ghosties. Spooky, but kinda satisfyingly cool. Heh.