.blindness.

Watching Colbert last night (and Countdown, and all of the other cable news garbage I digest now) there's still this continual statement by the Republicans that Obama is going to raise taxes. This is technically true, though only for 2% of Americans, but it's pretty misleading to keep hammering at people that. Of course the election is over, so obviously it didn't work, but whatever happens to the Republican party they are certainly going to make tax cuts their M.O. Hopefully the Obama administration will make enough of a memorable tax cut that the majority of America will call the Republicans on their bullshit and not be misled into thinking their taxes are going up.

Does anyone have any tips on how to prevent homemade soy milk from curdling in coffee? The best I've heard is to add some guar gum, but I don't know where to find that ....

My total and complete obsession is starting to hit the fear stage - I'm not afraid of the Democrats losing the presidency, but I'm afraid of weird case situations. One such fear: Alaskan Democrats don't bother voting since Obama will likely be announced as the winner hours before, and Ted Stevens gets re-elected by fanatic Wasilians who want to vote for Palin anyway because they love her. And of course, the Dems have 59 senators now and need Alaska to get the filibuster-breaking 60. It's just a silly scenario I was thinking about, since, again, I am completely obsessed. Watching the full video of the Obama/Joe the Plumber interaction, it's really fascinating to see how the GOP has spun this. It looks like Obama did well and actually presented a convincing argument for his situation. Despite all this Joe the Plumber nonsense I kinda like his style - he's an expert media manipulator.

From the new interview in The Believer: "...They explained that they’d just returned from an audition for a Steven Soderbergh thriller called The Informant, starring Matt Damon and set for release in 2009. If they do end up winning the parts (Eric as an FBI agent, Tim as a friend of Matt Damon’s), their characters will no doubt come across as awkward, bizarre, and extremely funny in ways that are almost impossible to describe...."

Just set my alarm to wake me up early to watch THE SPEECH. Missed Gore and only caught the last few minutes of Biden though I assume it was more of the same. I'm not expecting any surprises in Obama's speech yet I still want to be awake for it.

Actually I'm going to go to bed soon, as it's 1 AM here. There's been a lot of good, insightful commentary about the whole PUMA voters (HRC supporters who are going to vote for McCain over Obama) and how it's largely a media creation. I think this is true - sure, there's some Clintonites for McCain (who were brilliantly humiliated by Chris Matthews today) but I don't think they're going to make a significant impact. However, disaffected Republicans voting for Bob Barr are probably going to have much more of an impact on McCain's chances - though few polls even ask about Nader or Barr, those that do show Barr grabbing at least 3% of McCain's vote. This story doesn't get kicked around as much - though maybe it will next week in Minneapolis - since it's not as sexy, and also cause it would draw attention to a third party. I'd find some actual links to the polls but I'm too tired. Go read a real blog if you want decent research!

Hey MSNBC, quit talking American Samoa's casting of their delegates! They get a voice too. Troy Polamalu's gonna come beat your ass. You talked over Brian Schweitzer's speech last night too. Dicks.

How many people actually exist that will vote for McCain instead of Hillary Clinton but supported Clinton in the primary? I can't help but think it's entirely a media creation, or at least a media exaggeration. Furthermore, the idea that she's gonna make one speech in a few hours and completely convince everyone is even weirder. Are there people who actually don't realise what the Republican platform is until they hear it from her mouth?

Terry McAuliffe right now is reminding me of the "Dobber" character from the TV show 'Coach'.

Watched a bit of MSNBC's convention coverage this morning while starting my work day (which was about 2 AM EST). Nice to see Rachel Maddow's got her own show - I've totally become fascinated by cable news personalities this summer; I hope when the election is over I stop watching this crap.

HAMBURGERS AND HOT DOGS TOO i want to have a bar-be-que

AMC is planning to make a television series based on 'The Conversation', which, if you haven't seen it, you really should cause it's one of the best American films ever. My initial reaction is shock/horror, but maybe I shouldn't be so opposed to it...

"A new poll finds the election is Obama's to win if he can seal the deal with the voters." Wouldn't it also be John McCain's election to win if he could seal the deal with the voters? Or Bob Barr's, or Ralph Nader's? What a stupid line.