He reads well

Bush read his brief speech off the teleprompter. He read it well, at least in the sense that he didn’t stumble over any words or digress. But it was a sort of zombie-like reading, no animation, no gestures, no emotion, just reading what it said with a kind of dead pan expression. I am by no means convinced that he has any idea what he said, or if he did, if he understood it.

Barney Frank reported that they are making progress and will probably get a bill passed in the next few days, but perhaps not by Friday. He also observed that they did not need McCain there poking his nose in and trying to take credit for something he had little to do with. It’s true, when you think about it. What could McCain possibly add to the discussion. By his own admission he doesn’t understand economics, he was part of the problem in the first place, and his presence in Washington would be irrelevant. But it would give him an excuse to duck out of the debate. Behind in the polls, and slipping farther by the hour, he wants to call a time out. I read somewhere that he wants to postpone the first debate so he can then argue it should replace the VP debate (where they fear Palin will expose herself for the know-nothing she is). I don’t know if this is the strategy or not but it does sound credible. It has now been established that Palin is in fact bringing down the ticket. The videotape that has now surfaced showing her being prayed over to protect her from witches certainly won’t help her much (except maybe with those of her followers who are believers in witchcraft along with the rest of their magic). I think it is fair to say now that the wheels are not coming off the McCain/Palin campaign, they are off. It can only be downhill from now on. Unless, of course, McCain can fly to Washington and convince everyone that he alone solved the financial crisis.

And speaking of the financial crisis. The one issue they don’t seem to be debating, although it has been mentioned by some, is whether this bailout will actually even work. What a calamity it would be if they put up 700 billion dollars (no matter what restrictions are put on it), if it won’t work. But, as no one seems to know whether it will work or not, they will no doubt do it. It’s the American way. When in doubt do it. When in doubt throw money. Of course this only works for purely political problems. So, for example, if there is any doubt about the harmful effects of cigarettes, just go ahead an sell them anyway. If there is any doubt about food irradiation, go ahead and do it. If there is any doubt about the “war” on drugs, continue it. Never exercise caution of good sense when dealing with potential health problems. If you can’t absolutely prove something is harmful then it is perfectly okay to go ahead with it. Americans are really quite mad, you know. How else could one explain the election of George W. Bush, twice! Al Gore was probably the single most qualified person to run for President ever, but he was passed over for an ex drunken ne’er do well who had failed at everything he attempted and was pretty obviously of limited intelligence. Many Americans seem to believe that the more a person is like them (uninformed and not exceptionally bright) the better President they would make. Strange idea, that. They also seem to believe that if a person is highly educated, worldly and sophisticated, they should be avoided at all costs. Poor Adlai Stevenson, he never had a chance.

It’s sort of like the talking dog that went into the bar and announced, “I’m a talking dog. Don’t you have a drink for a talking dog?” The bartender said, “sure, the toilet is just down the hall.” (sorry, I just heard this the other day and it somehow seemed appropros).

LKBIQ:
For centuries, theologians have been explaining the unknowable in terms of the-not-worth-knowing.
H. L. Mencken