Ok, scanning through TV channels there on Fox was a stunning sight. A Hillery supporter whining to Bill O'Riley about blogging on Kos and explaining the so-called "strike".

Bits and peices kept get through the mists of 80k hookers, and missing blondes. The campaign insult of the day ties up all the pundits as they repeat charges and concerns. Meanwhile the financial meltdown continues. Krugman again weighs in and this is an area he understands. Well as anyone can understand faith based economics.
More below the fold.

  Or perhaps it is training Republicans to be psychopaths?  Hard to say which, but almost almost all mental health professionals will tell you that animal torture and killing while young, is characteristic of those who later have little problem killing and torturing humans. And it appears that Republicans are not upset when their chidren treat animals this way. Most people know of Frist's adoption of stray cat for vivisection and surgery practice. Young George Bush's exploding frogs are common knowledge. But the newest animal cruelty report comes from one of the Republicans running for POTUS.

Upset at Moma Bush and her remarks about protecting her beautiful mind? Outraged at Rove who wants his son to never do menial work? Look beneath for fold for a glimpse at the model for such outrageous attitudes.

is what we can expect over the rest of the century.

340,000 Flee Flooded Indonesia Capital
At Least 20 Killed After Days of Rain

By IRWAN FIRDAUS
AP
JAKARTA, Indonesia (Feb. 4) - Boats ferried supplies to desperate residents of Indonesia's flood-stricken capital on Sunday as rivers burst their banks following days of rain. At least 20 people have been killed and almost 340,000 forced from their homes, officials said. http://news.aol.com/...

more below the fold

Norway is complaining, all her trolls are out blogging over on Kos.  There really has been an uptick here lately.  And it seems people for forgotten how to turn troll diaries in to recipe books and comic relief! Well what are we going to do about it? see trolls beneath the fold.

"Insanity -- a perfectly rational adjustment to an insane world." R. D. Lang

I posit that religious fundamentalism is a not the problem (well yes, it is A problem, not THE problem) that we must confront, rather it is a symptom of an America that offers less and less opportunity to the average person. It may seem irrational, but is in fact a rational response to a feeling of being without power to change ones situation. It is a result of being on the losing end of a class war that has been fought since Reagan was elected.

    Just when you think they can't take the debate any lower or more loony, I came this article in Newsweek.  Earlier I have viewed crazy accusations of anti-Semitism based on scant evidence, comparisons of the terrorists with nazis and Stalin, and now tonight in Newsweek a Rabbi who expects that all real Jews to support Joe. Shame on this Rabbi.

As in that tired old joke, the girl asking if she will be respected in the morning after giving in to sexual advances is asking the wrong thing. Because she isn't respected even before she gives in to his carnal ambitions.

Well this woman is tired of being seduced by politicians at election time, and abandoned right after she gives her vote; as the politician returns to his barely concealed higher loyalties.

The executives, directors, and major shareholders (holding in 1000 or more shares) of companies having large contracts with the defense department shall be subject to a draft of their children and grandchildren between the ages of 18 and 25 for military service.

Well A research company just called me concerning the Connecticut Primary. They could not say who paid for survey though nothing odd about that. The first questions seemed very normal. They were about my history of voting, and demographic questions. but...

Phillipe and Rita

Tropical Depression 17 will probably become Philipe

more below

Headline 2006: Level Four hurricane hits Western Long Island and Manhattan, hundreds of thousands dead. Think it can't happen, read below. The warming of the ocean and increasing more powerful storms make this increasingly likely. (more below)

Hippies have been much maligned in recent weeks, so I think this should be passed along.

Plenty International and "The Farm" to aid Katrina survivors, (more below fold)

Cuba with less resources and no more warning than New Orleans had is capable of large evacuations.

Examples see below fold.

Re: termination of employment

Dear Jehovah,

After much consideration we regret to inform you that your services as the creator are no longer required.

Why we don't understand the corporate media

Ask a top management person in a Japanese automotive company what his business is and he'll say "making cars". Ask a person in a similar position at an American automobile company and he'll respond, "making money." And that is why Japan makes better cars. And that is also why Detroit saw the problem as a marketing issue rather than an engineering problem. But what does this have to do with news?

A new science book incorporating the hollow earth theory to be accepted by Kansas School board.