A Day Indoors

The Nation’s headline “Gay Marriage in…Iowa?” summed up my immediate reaction. But after burning a bowl of blend number one, I recalled the large progressive presence in the state. In fact, an Iowan predicted very early on that Barack Obama would spoil Hillary Clinton’s coronation party. Cynical at the time, I greatly over estimated the Clinton Machine’s ability to drown challengers in corporate cash. Robert of Ames was instrumental in directing me to Obama’s well organized internet operation -- an eye opener, to say the least. Energized Cyclones were the first to pierce the bubble of Hillary’s perceived invulnerability: She found out the hard way that supporting BushCo’s “War on Terror” mortally wounded her appeal to net-root liberals.

Perhaps one day a majority of Missourians will conclude that discrimination based on sexual orientation violates a fundamental Constitutional right. (Madame Rosa, eyes closed, is clicking her ruby red heels in anticipation).

Speaking of the Show Me State, Roy Blunt’s desire to keep Kit Bond’s US Senate seat from turning blue isn’t a surprise. Since Tom Delay’s hard fall, Blunt has been shunted aside by House colleagues. Although close proximity to the disgraced former majority leader never posed a threat to his political fortunes at home, the stench from the Abramoff scandal presented ambitious Republicans -- further removed from The Hammer’s ethical ‘lapses’ -- an opportunity to squeeze him out of the national spotlight. Because he no longer wields power within the flailing GOP caucus, vacating the House for a chance at higher office is what career politicians do.

He’ll face an uphill battle against Robin Carnahan, the likely Democratic candidate. This assumes that he can survive the primary run-off. It’s doubtful the Blunt brand is wildly popular with voters residing outside the Cone of Incognizance -- also known as the Seventh Congressional District.

He could opt for Plan B and bide his time at The Heritage Foundation before setting up shop on K Street. The downside to representing Exxon-Mobile as a private citizen is the loss of free socialized health care.
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Brief Sunday Meditation: “If my dog acted like Sean Hannity, I’d have him wormed”. Rev. Warren Miller
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Newt Gingrich said wife number three wife facilitated his decision to embrace the Roman Catholic Church. What are the odds wife number four might nudge Newt toward Scientology? However one feels about Newt’s contribution to cable television disinformation, there’s little doubt Ralph Waldo Emerson would be pleased with his mercurial belief system(s). Actually, Scientology is the perfect fit for someone with his fascination for fantasy fiction. Remember the Contract with America?

I’m not sure which is more imaginative, L. Ron Hubbard’s “swarms of disembodied alien souls known as Body Thetans” or Newt’s pledge to “select a major auditing firm to conduct a comprehensive audit of Congress for waste, fraud and abuse”.

JB