It ain't all pizzas and cream

Tidbits

Well, I'm really glad that the PA Democratic primary is in the history books.  I will not miss the dozen daily automated phone calls urging me to vote for one candidate or another.  Now it's up to the folks in Indiana to help settle this mess. 

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Congrats to the Philadelphia Flyers for advancing in the NHL playoffs.  Remember that last year the Flyers finished the regular season with the worst record for a non-expansion team in the history of the NHL. And tho this year they have not lived up to the Broad Street Bullies or Legion of Doom legacies, they have risen from the ashes to be a formidable (tho sometimes disorganized) opponent. I hope the Caps' Alex Ovechkin enjoys his summer vacation.

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The PA state legislature recently failed to pass a law requiring that gun owners report the loss or theft of a stolen weapon to the police.  One objection cited by lawmakers was that the law would penalize the gun collector who lost, say, 48 guns but only remembered 46 of them on his police report. Why does this make me feel no safer?  The only people I want having that many weapons are the army and the cops. I know I've raised the gun issue here before, and I'm not looking for a fight, but I really don't understand a few things...
1. What is the legitimate civilian use for automatic or assault weapons?
3. Which number is larger:  home invasions annually thwarted by owners of legally purchased and licensed handguns? Or annual accidental deaths resulting from legally purchased and licensed handguns?

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The Maverick ("Ruby", I've decided, wins the name-the-car contest) is back in the shop for what I hope will be the last in a series of repairs and adjustments to her carb. Hope to have her back on the road by the weekend.

Desperation doesn't sell

It's one of those terrible American axioms.  If you want or need something desperately, the way to ensure that you never get it is to look like you want or need it desperately.  Someone should really explain this to Hillary Clinton.  Because lately, her soundbites are starting to seem, well, desperate.  The invisible Bosnian sniper fire. The aw shucks stories about her pappy teaching her to use a squirrel gun.  The bit about God speaking to her on long walks in the woods.  I get better pitches from porn dealers on MySpace..."I'm Hilly and I like shooting muskrats, talking to Jesus, and getting naked with my girlfriends..."

There seemed to be such relief in the Clinton camp this week that Sen. Obama finally said something that was less than gracefully phrased, tho not technically incorrect.   (Safety tip: you should never TELL the bitter gun-toting, Bible-thumping hillbillies that they are bitter, gun-toting, Bible-thumping, hillbillies. It makes them mad.) But it was good news for Clinton, who got to take the high road for a change. But frankly, Obama's comment really isn't bad enough to have much impact, in my opinion.  For that he would have had to call them "crackers." 

Sadly, Hillary is the one who opened the door on the dependability issue with those TV ads asking us whom we'd rather have in the White House when the call comes announcing that the world was like a clown with his pants on fire.   Because when under fire, like this week, Hillary hasn't looked all that steady.  Of course, if the Dems had anything like a reasonable primay process, she wouldn't have any more to fear from Sen. Obama other than what cabinet post to give him.   But, alas, the Dems ...my party right or wrong...have a sorry patchwork of primaries and caucuses where even second place earns a candidate delegates.  And weak or spiteful leadership that has taken two key states (FL and MI) out of the decision-making process altogether.  (I recently send a futile email to the DNC to ask, politely, WTF.  And closed with, "please don't make me vote for McCain." I got, of course, a form email thanking me for my support and asking if I might like to stuff envelopes.)

So where does this all lead?  Well, to me giving Senator Obama another look.  Generally, idealists don't really wow me. Nor do great speeches, unless backed by great ideas.  But I would like to see the looks on the faces of the pharmaceutical and insurance company execs when Barack takes the oath of office.  Guess I'll decide after I pull the curtain shut behind me.

In my Idol moments

Call it a guilty pleasure, or maybe I'm becoming one of those old farts who believes that a prime time talent show is entertainment, but this is my second consecutive season of watching American Idol with a semi-religious devotion.  And for an atheist, that's saying something. 

But I can't resist throwing in a drive-by post about the current state of Idol contestants.

First, recently ejected blue-eyed-soul singer Michael Johns....
It's the ascot, stupid.  Once maybe, but twice?  Seriously, you thought we wouldn't notice.  Also, you're a little too mature to get enough call-in votes from text-abusing tweens.  Not to worry, though.  I suspect a record contract will be forthcoming.  After all Robert Palmer's dead, right?

David Cook...
Possibly the most interesting contestant, in that you do your homework, make careful song choices, and take an active role in your arrangements.  You might buck the general anti-rock trend and take this thing.

David Archuleta
Can't insult you too much, kid, other than to say your dad over-coaches you. When you outgrow the Garanimals, you might turn into something dangerous.   Bet you never guessed you'd have this many girls (s)creaming over you.

Jason Castro
I never had much tolerance for Waspafarians.  Or stoners.  Frankly I don't get the appeal.  But I'll say this. You're not arrogant.  Which helps. But how long can you survive on the "who, me?" approach.

Kristy Lee Cook
You sold your "favorite" horse to get the money to travel to the idol audition. Really? That doesn't make any points with me.  Just makes me think you didn't really care about the horse.  And makes me think you're a bit of a shark. Isn't there some airline with singing flight attendants that could use your services?

Syesha Mercado
Another shark. In it to win it and you don't care who you step over to do it. Unfortunately, the high notes are your downfall.  Try singing for TV ads. 

Brooke White
You're legitimately talented. Perhaps enough to win this thing. Try singing some Sarah McLaughlin or Tori Amos.  Something less sunny, more dark and twisty. And stop apologizing already.

Carly Smithson
You're tattoo'd and Irish. I really should like you.  I should. Really. But I don't.  Maybe it's the weird angry face and the cigar-store-Indian stance.  Or the ridiculous outfits.  Or the shouting.  Yes, that's it.  The shouting. Please go away.
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PS - Rock on, Amanda, wherever you are.

The nerds are in the house

Anyone watch Battlestar Galactica?  I mean the new one. I've only been a part-time fan, but saw something that caught my attention.

I just got done watching the series summary show, peppered with interviews with the show's creative team, Ron Moore and David Eick.  Eick characterized character Gaius Baltar as, "...the show's libido.  He's equal parts Steven Hawking, Jim Morrison, and the backroom side of Bill Clinton." 

Wow. The nerds are in da hizzy. 

Only a couple of nerds would classify a gutless bookworm as "the show's libido" and give him a blonde model as a lover.  These guys clearly spent way too much time whacking off to Victoria's Secret catalogs as teenagers.   

I'm old enough to remember Lost in Space and am having trouble seeing Doctor Smith as  "the show's Hugh Heffner."

Maybe these sci-fi shows should have something analogous to a civilian review board.  Or an armed air marshal.  Say Vin Diesel or Tommy Lee Jones.  Someone to keep the nerds in line.  Just a thought.