I see a major problem in the U.S. Senate's so called "nuclear option".
The next election.
Suppose the option passes, and the filibuster is dead.
What happens if the Republicans lose power? Now they end up unable to stem the tide of Democrat legislation.
Their only option would be to never, ever, lose again.
They would have to take permanent control of the nation, outlawing democracy.
The liberals would respond badly to this, probably by becoming terrorists. (Anyone who thinks liberals never use violence should pick up a good history of the '60s)
America suddenly becomes Iraq, with feuding factions, bombings, crime, and wholesale murder.

Better to keep the filibuster, and find more palatable appointees.

I just read an article about the FCC clamping down.
The article said that the two outfits hit hardest so far are those two staunch supporters of the Republican government, Clear Channel and Fox.

Up until now, Rupert Murdoch has been very pro-Bush and pro-Religious Right. I wonder if he'll stay that way once his two "friends" drive a steamroller over his network?

Ghengis Khan was one of the greatest of mankind's benefactors.
By conqurering China, he shook that advanced but decadent culture out of its stupor, and began a new Golden Age of discovery.
By taking Chinese advisors with him on his conquests, he spread Chinese ideas all through the Middle East, shaking up the decaying Islamic states.
His deeds allowed Marco Polo the chance to bring Chinese ideas to the West - something the insular Chinese would not have allowed without a Mongol ruler.

You see? You can justify any barbarism by pointing to the incidental good it does. Remember that, when you hear the arguments about Gitmo and Iraq.

I hear that the star of the new version of the cult classic Doctor Who, actor Christopher Eccleston, has already quit, stating that he does not want to become "typecast".
Dream on, Chris.
Right this moment, there are actors with long careers, who are known only for their appearance in an episode of Star Trek, forty-umph years ago. They have fan clubs based on their character, entire fan clubs.
Sorry, Chris. You've been a Doctor Who. Forty years from now, you'll be "That guy who played The Doctor back in 2005, Oh, and he did some movies, too."
But look on the bright side - you could have been a Star Fleet Captain.

I've just been reading some blogs supporting the Culture of Life, the anti-abortionists and Terry-saviors.
It occurs to me that they are a lot of smoke.
They spend a lot of time and energy marching around in front of the media, giving sound bites and making a nuisance of themselves, but they don't seem to help anyone. At the end of the day, when all the picket signs are stowed and the cameras move on, things are just as bad as when they started.
When are the Culture of Life people going to start doing things that matter?
When will they start up birth clinics that will help the poor and the raped through their next nine months?
When will they organize fund raisers to improve health care, home care, daycare, and hospices?

When will they do anything other than drop a pedistal in front of the cameras, stand on it, look down their noses and announce "Thou art sinning, and thou shalt not escape thy consequences on my Watch!"

Since I've started blogging, I've started reading other people's blogs. Fair is fair, right?
I think I'll stop reading American ones.
Honestly, I think I am witnessing the start of the second American Civil War. There are two definite sides, and no attempt at reconciliation. None at all.
Every post consists of variations of "Your last post was #@&%$!!, because . . ."
No attempt is made to examine other points of view, or to verify facts and arguments.
I expect the shooting to start any time now.

By the way, this is why blogs will never replace the media. The media has the ability to investigate and verify. Some guy in his Peoria basement has no way of learning whether a Washington insider did something dirty. He can only pontificate based on his faith in his leaders and party.
And we know what that's worth. Question: Anyone out there old enough to remember when the term "crooked politician" was NOT an oxymoron? Didn't think so.

The Pope died yesterday. I wonder how long before people start "adapting" his opinions, teachings, and actions?

I have more to say, but I will find a better time than now.