What a great sports weekend! Yesterday, even though I was at work, I could still catch four baseball playoff games, including the Braves and Red Sox both stave off elimination, and a full tilt of college football, with Georgia whipping Alabama. Then today, as soon as I walk in the door from church at 1, the Red Sox take on Oakland in Fenway, the Falcons are leading Minnesota ... oops, scratch that. Randy Moss just scored. Anyway, the Braves and Cubs play the deciding game five tonight, and all the while there's plenty more NFL and the American Express Championship being played up the road in Woodstock, Georgia, currently led by Tiger Woods. If it mattered and I was outside, Atlanta is sunny and crisp, temperature about 70 degrees. I love October!
Posted 1:47 p.m.

    Here's a tip for folks leading Sunday School lessons: Don't play songs to make a point. What you think is emotionally relevant to the study, is usually not for the class. What you want them to hear is often not conveyed, and it's an awkward four minutes to follow for you to play your personal collection while the class pretends to listen. In fact, I wrote this advice down in my church bulletin during the song, just so I'd have something to do and not have to look straight ahead pretending to be charged.
Posted 1:45 p.m.

    Here's a letter I wrote to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution after reading a particularly repulsive column:

In response to Jeff Schultz's "Weekend Predictions" on Friday, I understand attacking Rush Limbaugh (he's in the public eye and seeks controversial debate). But, to unnecessarily slander his audience as "close-minded, ultra right-wing blithering idiots" is insulting and beyond the bounds of decency or acceptable comedy.

If Schultz were hosting a TV or radio show, I'd be able to turn off the program and protest in a way that could make a difference. How convenient for him, then, that he works for a newspaper and doesn't have to face his critics face-to-face or answer to his stupid comments like Rush.

I could cancel my subscription, but that wouldn't be fair to good sportswriters like Tim Tucker. I hope someone rebuked Schultz for his remark, lest my suspicion that the AJC's politically left-leaning, anti-right tilt will just end up being proven true.

Jeffrey Rushing
Atlanta
Posted 1:15 p.m.

    The ultimate showdown, Kirk vs. Picard!
Posted 3:30 p.m.

    You might remember a few weeks ago in here, I slapped myself for a missed opportunity with a very cute and sweet Publix office manager (see here, at the top of Sept. 11). Today, I introduced myself. That constitutes step one, no matter how dorky I felt. Next week's Publix trip is step two, where I start making an effort to ask her out. Unless my dorkiness today ruined everything, which I'll be able to gauge by her reaction when she sees me. Great, five days to think about it.
Posted 6:15 p.m.

    All new Trailer Park:

Something’s Gotta Give - Jack Nicholson in his fun hip old guy mojo finest.

Honey - Jessica Alba in a hip-hop version of Flashdance and Fame. Heck, no.

Stuck on You - This was a longer and more talkative promo than we've seen before, and the Farrellys look to have another hilarious hit on their hands. Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear are clearly having a great time.

Kill Bill - I've seen the TV ads frequently, but not the trailer, which is really just like the TV ones. I'll see it next week (Volume One, that is, since Volume Two comes out next February), not for Uma Thurman, not for director Quentin Tarantino, but because the action looks astounding. Problem is, the kickin' music reminds me too much of Veggietales and "Larry Boy," the superhero cucumber. Every time the music starts, I start singing,

A heavy burden is lifted with a phone message or letter.

Let's see. Today my only message on the answering machine was a telemarketer. Today's two pieces of mail in my box were a charity and bank solicitation. I may have to start doubting the validity of these cookies.
Posted 6:15 p.m.

    And you thought your job was revolting. Popular Science got nominations from more than a thousand scientists for the worst job in their field, and they did not disappoint. No. 1 involved odors, and if I have to tell you specifically which one, you don’t have a flair for the obvious.
Posted 11:45 p.m.

    Rush Limbaugh is just the latest PC sacrifice on the race demagogues' altar. I'm sure the Dixie Chicks will come out in support of Rush's right to dissent any day now. What chaps my considerable hide most is not that so many folks are attacking Rush, but they also feel the need to slander his listeners as extremist robots. I reject that, because Rush says it's ridiculous!

I think Tiger Woods gets more attention as a very good golfer because he's black, and Eminem more attention than he deserves because he's a white rapper. I hope this doesn't make me racist.
Posted 11:41 p.m.

    At lunch yesterday with Dad and his coworkers Lilly and Natalie, the subject of handwriting came up. Dad mentioned that mine is essentially indecipherable chickenscratch, and I can’t disagree. For the same reason I stumble when I talk, my mind is racing faster than my hand can write. I prefer to consider it a product of extreme intelligence. I would have added something really funny here, but I wrote it down last night and now I can’t understand what I wrote. But it was hilarious, believe me. Good for you I can type on the site.
Posted 4:10 p.m.

    I am sick, tired, frustrated, beside myself, hot and bothered, and ticked off at the Atlanta fan-bashing taking place in the media today. So what if a lot of Chicago Cubs fans were in Turner Field last night for the NLDS game? Cubs fans are national, just as are Red Sox fans – as I personally enjoyed this past weekend in Tampa – and even, god forbid, dang Yankee fans. Even Atlanta has a large fan base from sea to shining sea. During the regular season, Atlanta fans number in the hundreds and even thousands at opposing ballparks, which I also have personally seen last year in Florida. Tonight, Red Sox fans will be a large number in Oakland, but tomorrow you will hear nary a word that Oakland fans are weak for “allowing” Red Sox fans to cheer so loud.

What you won’t hear is how Atlanta supports its teams and events that are important. With golf, the BellSouth Classic sells out every spring, and the city has successfully hosted national events the past three years, from the PGA Championship, the Tour Championship and this weekend, the American Express World Golf Championship. Ever fall, Georgia and Georgia Tech games are sold out well in advance, the SEC Championship brings in everyone in the south in December, and the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve is one of the most successful bowls in the country.

The Falcons have sold out their season the past two seasons and even have a season-ticket waiting list, because the new owner brought spirit and confidence back, then drafted Mike Vick to provide more of a spark. But yes, in seasons past attendance was so-so, but I must remind you that the team has never had winning seasons back-to-back, and the 50,000 average is still far over that of the Arizona Cardinals, who draw 25,000 but don’t get called out as the worst fans in the country.

The Atlanta Hawks have low attendance, too, but they stink and the franchise has no direction. Until a few years ago, when the team was regularly in the running for the playoffs, fans attended in droves. Why must they support a team that offers no promise of improving, let alone winning? I admit, the Braves didn’t sell out their playoff games last season or the previous. But Arizona and Houston had empty seats as well, yet those towns weren’t torched in the press.

The media, however, latched on the idea that Atlanta fans are the worst in the nation, and are running with it. There’s no shame in Cubs fans being so excited that they bought tickets and made the trip. Good for them. But Turner Field was sold out – including standing room only – and I haven’t seen the Tomahawk Chop and chant that frequent and loud in several years, so I feel just fine about the spirit of my hometown. So there!
Posted 4:05 p.m.

    Steven’s got some good news, so check his site and sign the guestbook with congrats for the Russell family. Looks like he had a good birthday, unless the photos are just a front for secretly watching HGTV all night, which I doubt. TLC is much better.

Steven also brings up an important fact in his Random Musings: When the Yanks lose, life is good. He can’t explain it, but I can. I hate New York City and everything it pretends to represent. As a whole (can’t say I hate the individuals, just the city), it struts around and acts like the world’s epicenter, and forgets about the 275 million yokels outside the tri-state area who just can't understand the beauty in paying $2,000 a month for a basement studio apartment in Hell's Kitchen. I hope every New York team loses, especially the friggin’ Yanks, and I say it proudly as a Red Sox and Braves fan.

Speaking of the playoffs, we are entering the best month of the year. October is perfect in every important way: The weather is cooling off and the air is crisp, the leaves begin to turn colors, my birthday is the 19th (hint hint) and the sports world features the baseball playoffs and the middle of the college and professional football seasons. Good times, indeed.

Well, maybe not all. I squirmed all night watching the Braves ultimately lose to the Cubs, and worry about the same in game two tomorrow, followed by the Red Sox in Oakland at 10 p.m. My flight back to Atlanta is at 8 a.m. Thursday, so I guess I’ll be catching some Z’s on the plane, but at least I’ll still be full on pizza and buffalo wings. Hopefully the Braves will have learned that the Cubs are for real by then, and Boston will go up 2-0 before heading home to Fenway. Then both win on Saturday, and Georgia beats Alabama, then the Falcons beat Minnesota on Sunday, and .... wait, am I dreaming already?
Posted 12:30 a.m.

    This week's best Vents from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
    – You can tell you’re at a Southern zoo because there’s a description of the animal on the front of the cage, along with a recipe.
    – Wouldn’t it be great if a performer had a farewell tour and then actually stopped touring?
    – Richard Harkness once defined committee: “A group of the unwilling, picked from the unfit, to do the unnecessary.”
    – Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
    – In typical male fashion, my husband heard about an available au pair and was all set to hire her. Good thing I stopped him, since we don’t have any children.
    - My neighbor bragged that her son is so smart they have to go to the dictionary whenever they get a letter from him. I told her she was lucky. Every time we get a letter from ours, we have to go to the bank.
    - I don't know about the rest of you, but it is OK with me if the "no call" list is expanded to include charities.
    - In the DeKalb County courthouse, there is an office with a "Marriage Licenses" sign painted on the door. Right under that is another sign, "Pistol Permits."
    - Dear Lord, so far today, I have not cussed, gossiped, lost my temper or self-control. But I will be getting out of bed in a minute, and I think then I will really need your help.
    - Any telemarketer who calls me after Oct. 1, court decision or no court decision, is going to get the rudest reception of his or her life.
    - I would like to propose a new law. If someone buys something from an Internet spammer, they should be shot.
Posted 12:23 a.m.

    My idea for a new interstate transportation law: If the restaurant, gas station or hotel is more than half a mile from the exit, you are not allowed to post your business on the blue sign.
Posted 1:55 a.m.

    Trailer Park:

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Oooohhhhh, my first time seeing this trailer for the most anticipated movie of the winter (fall, summer, and spring, too). Looks sweeping and epic, of course, but I still have reservations about the spider. Ick. But I can make it! Oh, the sacrifice I’ll make for what could be the best trilogy ever.

Calendar Girls: Think Full Monty meets “Golden Girls.” I might catch it on TV in a year, and you’ll have to drag me to it in the theater, so you better be a cute date.

Cat in the Hat: Looks absolutely, positively dreadful. Destructive, mean and smarmy, I better hear awesome reviews. I didn’t like Grinch with Carrey, either.

Elf: Will Ferrell is an insane elf-like man in New York City around Christmastime. The comedy is forced, even in the trailer, so two hours worth won’t be any better. Pass.
Posted 1:55 a.m.

    Two good political columns to read, from a pair of the best in the conservative field:

Ann Coulter takes on the war against Christianity in public schools, and Jonah Goldberg ponders how Wes Clark is the Democrat front-runner for president when he is such a crapweasel.
Posted 12:28 a.m.

    Sweet sassy molassey, the Oscars have returned to really-must-see-TV again! Billy Crystal will host next February! Steve Martin is funny and all – certainly better than the dreadful Whoopi Goldberg disasters – but Billy just fits, ya know?
Posted 12:25 a.m.

    I was all set to quip about Hillary Clinton regarding her outrage over China censoring portions of her book, that she should understand since her entire book is an effort to revise and whitewash history in the first place. Then, I have to admit that she actually done good, telling her fellow liberal Dems that "Based on what we knew and believed [about the Iraqi threat], it was merited." She said she consulted widely before that vote and found that U.S. intelligence "from Bush I to Clinton to Bush II was consistent" in concluding that there was "a continuing presence of biological and chemical weapons programs" in Iraq and that the Iraqis were seeking to develop a nuclear capacity.
Posted 12:18 a.m.

    Since I've been slow to do so thus far, and now that I'm in Miami, I will link to Danielle's page on Key West slavery, part of a project for school that includes a non-fiction book she's penning. While I’m at it, how about another specialty in the family, so check out Scott's Church History site.
Posted 12:50 a.m.

    National Review Online's The Corner took an informal poll - all in good fun - on "famous women who are sexy but not pretty". The winner was Ellen Barken (not a bad choice), followed by Sandra Bernhard (yuck). My own list begins with the sports world and Monica Seles. She's got a genuine smile, and her performance on the tennis court, full of grunting and hustling, well ... I better stop. Second place: Cate Blanchett. She won't turn heads upon first glance, but keep looking and her presence draws you in (see: Elizabeth).
Posted 5:10 a.m.

    It never ceases to make me proud, the dedication of our nation's soldiers. As Hurricane Isabel swept towards the D.C. area, and the high winds threatened Arlington National Cemetery, the soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknowns were given - for the first time in history, as a sentry has been posted continuously since 1930 - permission to leave their posts. None did.
Posted 4:49 a.m.

    This week's best Vents from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
    – My computer had a virus, but once it tossed its cookies, it was fine.
    – I’ve found that it’s much easier to return to work on Mondays if I plan ahead. So on Fridays, I restock my desk with plenty of pretzels and beer.
    – The Democratic debate told me that these guys think the symbol of America should be an ostrich, not an eagle.
    - The Democratic presidential candidates are the worst starting nine I've seen since the '62 Mets.
    - Just keep in mind that bin Laden and Saddam are cowering in their lairs, praying that America votes Democrat.
    - If we get serious damage from Hurricane Isabel, Bush's policies will be blamed by the left for fostering climatic terrorism.
    - My TiVo is smarter than I thought. I programmed it to record "Joe Schmo" and it recorded the Democratic presidential debate.
    - In addition to suicide exclusion on life insurance policies, let's petition to exclude "death caused by ignoring evacuation orders in the face of hurricanes."
    - The no-call list has slowed the telemarketers and the spam filters have stalled the spam. Now I need a trash can next to the mailbox marked "junk mail."
Posted 4:43 a.m.

    It used to be said that a conservative is a liberal who was mugged. One might also say that a fiscal conservative is a liberal who rejected new taxes on espresso.
Posted 1:15 a.m.

    I was curious why all the trailers were dark today. Then I realized, "Oh, I'm seeing Underworld. It's kind of a dark and monster-friendly movie." So, on to Trailer Park:

In the Cut - Meg Ryan in a whodunit murder mystery that had more twists and turns than Michelle Kwan's long program at the Olympics.

Resident Evil - Played out like a cosmetics commercial, it's just kind of odd. At first, you wonder if the guy's upstairs in the booth messed up, then you think, "well, I suppose it's trying to be cute." Then comes Milla Jovivich cocking her big gun, and you realize what's going on. We'll bear with it until NEXT summer when it debuts.

Alien - Yes, THE Alien. The director's cut is being released for Halloween, which is just as well because I'm sure it beats the heck out of the "scary" fare usually trotted out for a few easy bucks.

Gothika - Halle Berry is crazy. No, wait, she's not. Either way, you just know that Robert Downey Jr. is in on the bad stuff that put Berry away.

The Haunted Mansion - With all the other dark trailers, this seemed a bit silly, with Eddie Murphy quipping all along and cartoonish ghosts flittering about. Still, this is the one I'd rather see. Give me fluff over "intense reality scary" any day.
Posted 12:55 a.m.

    Thursday night at work, in the 8 p.m. hour, we interviewed Carrot Top. Amazingly, I was the only one in the control room (population: 8) willing to admit that I like the comedian. But when he was showing some new props, everyone laughed. So there!
Posted 12:55 a.m.

    Thursday: Wesley Clark says he "probably" would have backed the Iraq war. Friday: Having realized the Democrat base is ultra-Leftist, Clark backtracks that he "would never have voted for this war." Letting the masses do his thinking for him. Hey, Clark is a liberal after all!
Posted 12:15 a.m.

    Sure, you don't think rodents of unusual size, a.k.a. ROUS's, exist, but new findings beg to differ.
Posted 6:05 p.m.

    I knew there was a good reason all the odd-numbered Star Trek flicks stink! Frank has the lowdown on all the evil things we can blame on Saddam! He had to be defeated!
Posted 4:50 p.m.

    Isabel is coming right for us! Well, OK, maybe not. She'll probably hit around North Carolina, over thataway, which is like, a whole other state. To be more helpful, the always on-the-spot Dave Barry has tips on surviving hurricanes.
Posted 2:31 a.m.

    As a soccer fan, and a fan of women in general, I was saddened to see the WUSA fold this week. Then again, while I did watch the Atlanta Beat when they were on TV, I never went to see a game. I guess I was part of the problem.
Posted 1:55 a.m.

    Playboy is planning a special issue with the nekkid women of Wal-Mart. As you might expect, I'm shocked and appalled. Everyone knows that Target employs a far greater source of attractive clerks.
Posted 10:10 p.m.

    You know how the Dems are always criticizing President Bush for fund-raising? It doesn't matter when, they just hate that he's building his campagain war chest. But can you imagine the uproar if he, like Sen. Patty Murray (D - Disrespectland), held a fund-raiser at the exact time of the 9/11 memorial?
Posted 9:39 p.m.

    More evidence from the womb that makes it harder and harder for pro-"choice" advocates to argue that abortion doesn't take a viable life.
Posted 1:35 a.m.

    Trailer Park:

The School of Rock - Funny man, Jack Black, is a teacher at a stuffy school who teaches kids that music is more important than anything else. Well, sort of. This is not going to be a touching story, but I don't want it to be. Corrupt the youth, Jack!

Love Actually - Hugh Grant in yet another romantic comedy full of fun and eccentric Brits. Looks like good fun.

The Last Samurai - The first trailer just gave me the giggles, picturing Tom Cruise as the "hero" of Japanese heroes. But the second trailer gives me hope and fleshes out the story. Now I'm looking forward to it. See what a decent trailer can do?
Posted 1:35 a.m.

    Ack! Good news from the funny pages: Opus will return! Yup, “Bloom County” cartoonist Berkeley Breathed will resurrect the penguin in “Opus” beginning Nov. 23.
Posted 1:35 a.m.

    So an asteroid could smack us on March 21, 2014 with the force of 20 atomic bombs. I'm much more concerned about a possible rebirth of apocalyptic movies, especially if there's one that features an asteroid-lander that has a machine gun.
Posted 1:15 a.m.

    In one of those giggly GOP revelations, it turns out that Hillary is the “Most Poisoned Baby Name in History.”
Posted 1:15 a.m.

    No matter how many times you hear in the media that “global warming” is this definite disaster caused my man, scientists just don’t know. It could be real. It could actually be a good thing for the planet. It could be bunk. But every day there are things that science discovers, and alters the debate (remember when they found out that bovine gas was as big a threat as car exhaust?). Today’s news is that fungi plays a role in the production of greenhouse gases, but no word on how they can blame this on the Bush administration.
Posted 1:15 a.m.

	Outside the Fox with Kim. (Click for full size)

    Finally, I actually got to see my favorite musical rather than listen to the Broadway recording! I went to see "Les Miserables" tonight at the fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Even better, I got to see it with a perky cute blonde, Kim! I met her through my singles class at church, and when she mentioned loving the movie but having not heard the musical, I knew that must be fixed.

I met her at 6 p.m. in north metro Atlanta (Alpharetta, actually), and we drove the 45 minutes into midtown Atlanta, parked for ten bucks only a block from the theater, and moseyed to an Italian restaurant down the street. Despite enjoying the conversation immensely, it took over a half-hour for the waiter to bring our pasta, despite knowing we were going to see "Les Miz" at 8 p.m., not bringing our food until 7:35! Needless to say - but I will, anyway - we ate but half the meal and with five minutes to showtime, made our way to the Fox and sat just as the lights went down. (We weren't feeling hurried, though, just knowing our timing and enjoying the pleasant evening)

	The Arab design seen in the carpet (the Fox was originally a Shrine design).

Our seats (which you can see at the Fox site), were on the orchestra level, row BB, seats 67 & 69 (yes, they're next to one another). As you might guess BB is 28 rows from the stage, which was just fine for seeing the actors and action.

Now, on to the show!

I may not be as much a freak about the show as this guy, but nothing about seeing "Les Miz" live diminished my love for it, and in most cases increased my veneration.

Somehow, I never caught on that Gavroche, the plucky boy ("This only goes to show what little people can do."), dies. But he does, outside the barricade rooting through dead soldiers' knapsacks for bullets.

	All smiles for a great show!

That's just one of many things I was able to catch by actually seeing the play rather than listen to the Broadway CD or watch the reunion show that PBS aired, but only shows the actors standing in place in costume, and not moving 'round the sets.

Speaking of, I was incredibly impressed with how they could incorporate those sets in different ways to accommodate a smallish stage, and I'm talking about some seriously large set pieces for Paris. Well, really just two bookends that look like stairs and poor housing first, then turned on its side to form the barricade. Then how the show spun the stage to represent seeing both sides of a wall or gate was masterful and once you caught on, didn't take you out of the show.

(rant) My greatest disappointment wasn't with the show, but the crowd. Too many were latecomers, and had to be sneaked in during the first pause about four songs in. Then, even more inexcusable, after the intermission there were dozens not back in their seats and blocking views of the stage. I know Atlantans are known for their disrespect for live events - especially by talking during live music at Chastain amphitheater - but I was appalled, agog and aghast that it was so prevalent.

	More ornate design in just the lamps and "sky" ceiling, and by the bathrooms!

It really chapped my hide most, after intermission, when people were still trickling in for Act II and affecting my attention set aside solely for Eponine (my favorite character) as she sang my favorite song, "On My Own." My tolerance for your bladder or calls to the baby-sitter ends when it comes to blocking my view of my precious Eponine!

Fellow Atlantans, I held "it" for four hours before and during the show, because I didn't want to miss a single moment, not to mention I was enjoying Kim's company and didn't want to leave her, either. But see, these are the sacrifices we make for art!

Another annoyance was that several people in the crowd were imbibing beverages, and kept knocking over cups by their feet, so every five minutes or so you'd hear a "plink, plink, whirr" as it fell and spun below the seat. Seriously, folks, this isn't a Georgia Bulldogs game, let's show some semblance of artsy-fartsy cultural decorum. (/rant)

Still, beyond that, I enjoyed the show immeasurably, and have tremendous adoration of the characters and the talents of the men and women who act, sing and maintain their balance while walking on the moving floor!

	A fabulous musical at the Fabulous Fox!

I wanted to sing along with every song, and found myself mouthing the words much of the time. I guess it's to be expected. But the urge was very strong to stand up and yell at the end, "Yes, I will join in your crusade, even if you're French and will surrender at the first mention of German automobiles!"

I felt bad for Kim, though, because just as a couple sat in front of us, either they had on some weird perfume or had cats, because she started to sniffle and kept on reaching for tissues the next three hours. I'm sure the folks around us, though, figured Kim was really into the show and very emotional. "She even cried during the happy times!"

Surprisingly that little Cosette sounded exactly like the Broadway recording CD, which was made in 1987, long before she was born. It wasn't a recording, because, well, because you can tell. But how do they pick 'em so well? There are a lot more talented kids out there than "American Juniors" wants you to see!

I admit to being a bit stunned when the biggest cheer for a song (or a moment) was after Valjean's "Bring Him Home" as he doted over a sleeping Marius during a lull in the fighting at the barricade. It's a fine song, and a powerful moment, but people weren't just clapping, but whistling, and clapping longer than any other song. Kim noticed as well, leaning over and whispering, "they must really like this song."

Maybe it's because they were still relaxing from blocking my view during "On My Own."

No shock, the Thenadiers are a hit, being the folks with the most personality, even if it's repulsive. Much of their schtick is just good fun, and no one is hurt; Master of the house, isn't with your spit, so just laugh at them is all you can do. They're even more expressive on stage, arrogantly fumbling around and yelling, and providing much amusement during the wedding at the end with their antics of trying to steal plates and silverware. Another thing you won't get by listening to the CD.

On the way home, I ended up taking the long way north. Twice. Is that the 21st Century version of "running out of gas"? You decide.

Wrapping up, in a "duh" comment, I'll see it again, if possible before its run ends, and listen to the CD constantly as usual, but for now can mark that off my list of things to do before I die.

*Check*

(Don't worry. I've got a loooong list, and some are impossible, thus ensuring a very long life in the pursuit.)
Posted 3:35 a.m.

    Tonight is a big night: I'm going to the fabulous Fox Theatre to see "Les Miserables," my favorit-est musical! Most fitting, no matter how hokey these things are, that I should "be" my favorite character (seriously, if I could incorporate Eponine into a daughter's name, I would):

I'm Eponine!
Spunky, resourceful, and fearless, I don't take a lot of guff from the world, and sometimes I'm kind of freaky. Secretly, though, I just want to be loved in spite of my attitude and my goofy hat. Which Les Miserables Character Are You?

Posted 12:15 a.m.

    This week's best Vents from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
    - I can't believe that some people are already doing their holiday shopping. I'm not certain yet which relatives will be speaking to me.
    - It's scary that people born in 1985 are starting college. To them, the Braves have always been good, "Saturday Night Live" has always been bad and Paul Newman is that guy on the salad dressing.
    - The music industry is suing people who downloaded music. How about we sue THEM for years of price gouging after promising prices would come down as CDs became more popular?
    - If somebody steals my identity, do I get to make up a cool new one?
    - Let's move to a serious issue. Should a cellphone be worn on the right hip or the left?

My Vents:

Tuesday night's Democratic debate proves Fox News is tilted right-wing: It showed the ineptness of every candidate on the left.

Some "hero": John Kerry, who never fails to remind us that he served in Vietnam, had the conviction to throw away someone else's medals iin protest but kept his own.

Not one for seeing hypocrisy in action, John Kerry criticized Bush for the end-of-war speech aboard an aircraft carrier, while using the backdrop of the USS Yorktown to announce his candidacy for president.

The U.N. is attacked in Baghdad by the former Baathist security guards it hired to protect them, yet we're supposed to believe that the U.N. will do a better job handling postwar Iraq?

Let's see ... if I were an Iraqi, would I be upset that power only works eight hours a day, or happy that I can complain about it publicly without worrying about a death squad showing up to torture my family?

It's remarkable that in the two years post-9/11, there hasn't been a major terrorist attack on U.S. soil. The left would agree, just as long as Bush and Ashcroft receive none of the credit.

It seems like the Democrats think just the Bush administration, not the country as a whole, is fighting a war on terrorism, and they want the "shrubs" to lose.
Posted 12:03 a.m.



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