Happy Thanksgiving!

As I've previously mentioned, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

1. It's purely American.
2. It's more-or-less secular.
3. Food with family & friends is a good idea.

This year we - my Jewish wife & I - are also celebrating Hanukkah... which is also a more-or-less secular holiday commemorating a small miracle in late Second Temple times.

We'll be joined by sisters and new in-laws-to-be - my son's fiancee's family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Here's Why Ken Cuccinelli Will Lose"

Why Ken Cuccinelli Will Lose in Virginia and What It Means for the GOP

Simple answer (with a nod to Lee Corso):

... because he gets fewer votes.

Why are they surprised?

Regarding House GOP threat of government shutdown or government default, several commentators have questioned GOP's willingness/ability to govern.
Why?
Republican congressmen routinely campaign on anti-government platforms. The Federal Guv'mint is evil, sucking the life blood from all true Americans.
Why is it now surprising to learn they were serious?

Please! Affordable Care Act is NOT "health CARE reform"...

... it's Health INSURANCE reform!
Labeling - accurate labeling - could really help!

The 40% solution

Speaker John Boehner has a problem - his House caucus. I believe I have a solution for him.

U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 5: "Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a member."

There are currently 200 Democratic Representatives, 233 Republican Representatives, and 2 unfilled seats in the House of Representatives; let's give those 2 seats to the GOP, for 235 GOP members. Speaker Boehner is intimidated by the so-called Tea Party faction within his party. I'm guessing that this faction represents, at most, 60% of the GOP caucus, leaving 40% more-or-less sane Republican Representatives.

40% of 235 is 94.

Together with the 200 Democratic Representatives, this provides a voting bloc of 294 - more than two-thirds of the 435 House members.
In fact, Speaker Boehner needs only 90 somewhat sane GOP Representatives to get two-thirds of 435 votes (=290).

With the Democratic House leadership, and the leaders of the more-or-less sane GOP House members, Speaker Boehner can draft a resolution expelling the troublesome members of his caucus.
Problem solved.

It's all good

Faithful readers:

1. I'm getting married to Melissa Axelrod, UNM linguistics prof.

2. She's sold her house. I've sold my house. We've bought a house together.

All is good.

New medical conditions

tachycardia: Pathologically rapid heartbeat
... which suggests...

tardycardia: Pathologically slow heartbeat

If that abnormally slow heartbeat was caused by eating too much saturated fat?
Lardytardycardia.

... if the saturated fat was from healthy, robust pigs?
Hardylardytardycardia.

If you consumed the saturated fat from healthy, robust pigs at a festive gathering of friends?
Partyhardylardytardycardia.

... and if the festive gathering of friends was devoted to reading Shakespeare?
Bardypartyhardylardytardycardia.

... and if your condition induces flatulence?
fartybardypartyhardylardytardycardia.

To my Republican readers

Disclaimer: OK - it's not at all clear that I have ANY Republican readers... but just in case!

First, I assume that all of my Republican readers are somewhat sane, and not members of the wing-nut extreme.
That said: Your party has deserted you!

The current GOP is quite serious in its threats to put the U.S. into default - just to throw a tantrum 'cuz they're not getting their own way.

If you're in the habit of sending $$$ to the NRC, or the NRCC, or the NRSC, might I suggest that your dollars would be better spent - for the good of your country - by sending 'em to American Red Cross, your own favorite charity, or your church/synagogue/mosque?

Don't throw your $$$ away on folks who are determined to crater both the U.S. and the global economy for petty political ends.

Stop the madness!

I can't complain...

NM has two (2) Dem Senators, and my House district (NM1) is in Dem hands.
NM went for Obama - again - in 2012.
Right-wing lunacy? I've done my small part to avoid it in my small state.

Yes, please - let's crater the economy!

Debt Ceiling Showdown: GOP Pledges To Extract Cuts From Obama

The last time the House GOP threatened U.S. debt ceiling, S&P downgraded U.S. bonds... then they blamed Obama. So now they're gonna do it again? Stop the madness!