Folks of good judgment and sensible opinions are abuzz about Gordon Smith's coming out party.  I suppose that's my cue to open the Overton Window a bit.

You see, I deeply resent the shallow politics that Smith represents.  I detest his sense of self-entitlement evidenced not only by the way he ran his businesses, but by the way he votes to inhibit the opportunities of others.  His only true deviance from the stereotype of the rich white male boomer, his conversion to a compassionate position on some social topics, is downright Cheneyan--and about as meaningful.

So the latest news about his sudden disapproval over Iraq is oh so entirely predictable, it is about as fresh as Yesterday's breakfast.  

Allow me to explain.

Today, in 1970, Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire on anti-war protesters at Kent State University, killing four students and wounding nine others.  I am having a difficult time organizing my thoughts on the past week's political tension in light of my historical perspective of these conflicts.

It was just three days ago that we were reminded of the Haymarket Riots and the role of organized labor in establishing the middle class in this nation, a reminder glimpsed from behind the curtain of racism and jingoist rhetoric amplified across the traditional media and parroted by the reactionaries around me. (Haven't your heard the latest?  Brown is the new black, this Spring, and bigotry is back in fashion again!)

The history of police violence against simple people acting peacefully with a simple cause is extensive, and also include the Lattimer Massacre - September 10, 1897 and the Ludlow Massacre - April 20, 1914.  Follow me across the fold and bring this home.

The DSCC is winding up to deliver the knock-out punch to a Republican-dominated Senate.  In spite of the jockeying and bloviating of a few blowhards, the Democrats in the House and Senate have been working on a campaign to retake control of congress.  We can influence the message of our party.

Sen. Debbie Stanebow writes in an email from the DSCC:

Visit our website to endorse the Democratic agenda.  Plus, if you think something is missing from our list of priorities, you can tell us what specific issues are most important to you.  We'll use the feedback we receive over the next 11 months before Election Day.

http://www.dscc.org/...

I took the bait.  Here is the foundation of my core five point plan:

1. Health
   
2. Independance
   
3. Wealth
   
4. Defence
   
5. Freedom

Details below the fold:

According to the DSCC website, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon will match all contributions made before midnight, Nov 7th.  

(screenshot of the message, found in a Flash animation on the DSCC website)

I put in my $25, in thanks for Sen. Reid's leadership today when I noticed it.  Currently, it looks like the campaign has raised over $58,000.  How high can we push it?  Pitch in your own contribution.

The US Department of Agriculture confirmed during this Friday's 'dumping' session that a new case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), more commonly known as "Mad Cow Disease," has been identified in the US cattle supply.  

[snark]
The cow was heard to be screaming at the top of her lungs about something it referred to as "The DSM."  It is unclear exactly what a DSM is, but as soon as reporters figure it out they assure us they will promptly ignore it.
[end snark]

BSE is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease of cattle, which appears transmissible to humans.  It is believed that humans can contract a fatal, brain-wasting disease, known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, from consuming beef products contaminated with the mad cow pathogen.

[EDIT: cleaned up phrasing for consistency]
More below the fold.  

Step right up, see the climax from Resevoir Dogs played out by the freaks of the librul socialist pagan left!  Round and round they go on gender issues on the carousel of correctness.  See if their blood really does flow blue as they eviscerate each other right before your eyes!

Snark aside, the rhetoric is getting a little heavy.  For several very good reasons, Markos and his detractors each continue to conflate the arguments with hostile language.  What are they disagreeing over exactly?

We are witnessing a meltdown between right to choice supporters, and right to choice supporters.  I think that there is some misplaced anger and aggression out there, and the best way to have your opinions dismissed is to tell other people that their opinions are not valid.

Let's take a look and see if this looks like a reasonable response, and if maybe we can improve the way we try and tackle these issues.  Step below the fold and watch me try to starve this fire with good 'ole CO2 by flapping my gums calmly at it.

Dennis Hopper is on the phone:

Pop Quiz. Your tax return arrived. You have a two hundred dollar check in your hand. What do you do? What do you do?

Today we will discuss Priorities:

• Long-term Investments
• Short-term Investments
• Liquid Assets & Savings
• Debt Management

This looks like diary about the basics of personal finance. It is, to a point. Sit tight because "the first rule of Investment Club is that we talk about Investment Club." I.C. is about sharing the knowledge and viewpoints we have on "Investing-with-a-capital-I" to help each other make good decisions. We build the community, and thus ourselves. This diary will be more valuable with your input. Other I.C. diaries: The Basics, Going to Disneyland, and The Highs and Lows of Index Funds. Consider contributing your own I.C. diary to help us keep this going.

Enough pimping, let's get started.