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On Not Getting Stuck Again, Or, “Who’s Better: Reichert Or Rosemary?â€
It’s been about three months since we got together last…and as much as I missed y’all – well, let’s just say a long break is truly soothing for the soul. When I came back, I figured we’d be able to talk about how my Congressman, Dave Reichert (R- Politically Vulnerable And Utterly Ineffectual) was on…
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On Holding Down The Conversational Fort, Or, Jobs, Republicans, And Hooey
As the next Congressional fight over payroll tax extensions and unemployment benefits and pipelines gets set up in the next few weeks for either its final chapter or to be kicked down the road a bit farther, one or the other, you’re going to hear a lot from our Republican friends about how much they…
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On Christmas 2.0, Or, Who Might Be The New Santa?
I’ve been thinking a lot about the evolution of Christmas, and I’ve been thinking that there is a lot about the current practice that we can admire. Peace and good will, of course, and cookies and candy canes, and happy kids – and this is also the time we think the most about those less…
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On Helping Republicans, Or, Next Time You Need A Bad Idea, Try These
I have spent a number of years complaining about the interactions between Democrats and Republicans, but after the recent events involving the Keystone XL and civil liberties cave-ins, I’ve decided it’s time to stop complaining and embrace the madness. But I also feel like there’s an ugly edge to all this…that hasn’t really been fully…
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On The Question Of Virginity, Or, “Starter? I Can’t Make Her Stop!â€
I got a weird little story about my friend Blitz Krieger to bring to you today. He’s had a crazy car problem, he has, and over the past few months he thought he had found a solution – in fact, he thought he had found the solution of his dreams – but in the end,…
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On The Emergence Of China, Or, Zhou Knew This Was Coming
After doing a bit of mountain hiking a few days back, I had a chance to get involved in a great afternoon conversation with the Alliance for American Manufacturing’s Mike Wessel, who also serves as a Commissioner with the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission; the conversation was about how we’re doing when it comes…
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On Imperfection, Or, How Do You Choose A New Bank?
Like a lot of people these days, we have come to the conclusion that it’s time to change our lousy bank. And it wasn’t even like we chose badly, either – we were customers of Washington Mutual for almost two decades, and we loved ‘em: they were nice people to deal with, they didn’t constantly…
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On Protecting The Innocent, Or, Is There A Death Penalty Compromise?
I don’t feel very good about this country this morning, and as so many of us are I’m thinking of how Troy Davis was hustled off this mortal coil by the State of Georgia without a lot of thought of what it means to execute the innocent. And given the choice, I’d rather see us…
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On Fixing The World, Or, Help George Carlin Stick It To God
Once again The Fates have come our way to provide a story, and once again, we have a contender for the “Ironic Story Of The Yearâ€. It’s got everything you need for serious irony: an irascible comedian who mocked religion at every opportunity, a city that loved him, and the rich coincidence of his having…
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On Not Doing 9/11, Or, Right Now, I’ve Got A Desk To Clear
I’m going to be really honest with you: after all the fights at the mall to get just the right present for everybody and the giant hassle of going to the Post Office so I can get the perfect stamps for my cards – and then worrying that I left someone off the list –…