Crawled Out of the Woodwork...

After all these years, new photos of Marilyn Monroe emerge this week from December 1961 (nine months before her mysterious death), when she was 35. Look great. And they're up for grabs if you've got some extra thousands to throw around.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/new_marilyn_monroe_photos_up_for_A4C7TL0TzPv7JalU4v1jaI

Wire Alert!

It appears that Time Warner Cable On-Demand is about to restart a rotation of The Wire series from the beginning. The past few nights, there's been a The Wire entry on TWC's On-Demand menu, but as of yet, no episodes available. But it appears it's about to start.

You know, I don't think I've expressed myself concerning The Wire previously on this blog (which I just started last March): While my blog ranks the Top 5 television sitcoms of alltime (you have to look a ways down on the right hand sidebar), and while I have never endeavored to rank the Top 5 dramatic TV shows of alltime, The Wire officially gives any other dramatic series a run for its money and may be, perhaps, the best dramatic series ever.

Here's my view on The Wire seasons: First two seasons, Absolute Magic. Third season, tended to meander and lose its way a bit. Fourth season: Not as good as the first two, but pretty damn good (forget health care, energy legislation, and even jobs -- Our educational system, particularly its failings in inner-city America, should be one of our very first priorities in the country right now). Final season: Some pretty good elements, but some other stuff that just seemed completely unbelievable (like the whole corpse angle -- like even the McNulty character would ever go that far, and Lester Freeman too!?!).

But I digress. If you have never watched this series -- Watch It. And start from the beginning -- Never, ever, ever try to start watching The Wire in the middle of a season, because you will not have any freakin' idea what's goin' on! (I know that from my very first experience with this show back in its first season).

The Worst Sandwich in America?

A Men's Health top 10 list today on Yahoo.com purports to list the worst sandwiches in America (first link below). It's a decently put-together list, frankly. But I already did such a Top 10 List several months ago (second link below), and I think mine details even worse examples than the Men's Health list. But you can decide...

(Postscript: I was trying to compare my #1 (Captain D's "Catfish Feast") to Men's Health's # 1 (Cheesecake Factory's Grilled Shrimp & Bacon Club) and noticed that Captain D's has, since my original post, radically cut back on the portion size of the so-called "Catfish Feast". The current incarnation of that wonderful "dish" is now about half the cals and half the fat as it was in October 2009. I know it's a cliche, but I truly am laughin' out loud over here!)

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/eatthis/43781/10-worst-sandwiches-in-america/

http://independentrage.blogspot.com/2009/10/ill-have-diet-coke-with-that-top-10.html

I'm a Troll! I'm a Troll! But My Ma Won't Admit It!

Down Tampa way, the three above-pictured and self-described "Trolls" gang up on an auto mechanic walking back to work after getting his lunch (allegedly). Says Head Troll (the one in the upper left of the mugshots -- i.e. the one most looking like a bona fide troll) to the mechanic:

"I am a Troll! This is MY bridge, so you will have to pay a toll to cross. Hand it over!"

As another one of the gang of Trolls then tries to wedge a pipe up from the ground to use as a weapon, the mechanic drops his burger and runs the hell out of there. The Three Trolls were picked up later and are now asking for their "toll" in the local hoosegaw, although I doubt that they're finding too many payors.

Please remind me in the future that I have absolutely no reason to visit Tampa for -- well -- my entire lifetime for starters?!? (BTW, the Dylan Troll gives Dylans everywhere a real bad name).

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/feb/02/deputies-3-homeless-trolls-arrested-robbery/

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel Versus Sarah Palin In a Cage Fight: Who Wins?

I personally would open up the line with Palin as a 7-6 favorite, but I don't think Emanuel (whom I refer to herein as "Rahm" because it's shorter and easier to type) would be any pushover either. Today's flap between these two: Palin on her Facebook criticizes comments made by Rahm in a "democratic strategy session" discussing a plan by far left progressives to pressure dem Senators viewed as being too centrist. Rahm's comment was that such plan was "F---ing Retarded!" Palin, who obviously has a son with Down syndrome, issued a harsh rebuke on her Facebook, even comparing Rahm's comment to the use of the so-called "N-word" (story linked below).

Now, methinks "Sarah Barracuda" needs to settle down a little bit. Obviously use of the word "retarded" has long been considered inappropriate, and Rahm shouldn't have used it. And I certainly understand Palin's sensitivity on the issue given her personal situation. But to compare use of the word "retarded" to use of the N-word -- which in my opinion is the ugliest word in the English language -- is absolutely an inappropriate comparison. Use of the N-word by a white person is akin to an assertion that an entire group of people is inferior to that person based upon the completely superficial characteristic of which color that group's skin happens to be. The same is mindless, ignorant, anti-intellectual, unenlightened and just plain ugly. There's simply no comparison between that and use of the word "retarded" -- a now archaic, non-politically correct word that was "politically correct" not so long ago. Again, Rahm shouldn't have used it, and he should apologize. But step down (as Palin is apparently calling for)? Please.

And finally, while I do not like Emanuel, I have to say that the progressive plan to which he was referring was, indeed, idiotic. In other words, he was right on the substance, although not in his word choice. If there's one thing that sickens me the most about our two political parties, it's how they are controlled by their extremes, which results in each party being very Tiny Tent. The extremes of these two parties more or less hate people who are somewhere in the center and have no place for such people. And since we have a country comprised of about 40% Independents, plus a whole lot of non-liberal dems and non-conservative republicans, we are left with two very out-of-touch parties and a majority of the country that is not represented by either of them. So what Rahm should have said: "That's F---ing Moronic!"

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0210/Palin_goes_after_Emanuel_on_retarded_slur.html

They Still Have Freak Shows?!? Not Just an Isolated One, Mind You, But "Competing Freak Shows"...

This from the New York Post (BTW, I love their website -- always entertaining material there). Today's story (link below) reports that not only is one "Freak Show" currently thriving in Brooklyn's Coney Island, but apparently a "competing Freak Show" is movin' in to spice up the competition. I can only imagine -- a Freak Show left to monopolize a given market, without any competition, can tend to get a bit stale and full of itself, I would imagine -- at least as Freak Shows go. Although, perhaps rebutting the "stale" description, even the older of these two Freak Shows exhibited the most over-the-top (yet rather sickening) behavior described in the Post's story: "Strong's Coney Island Freak Show made national headlines last year by unsuccessfully trying to stop a five-legged puppy from getting a corrective surgery." I've heard of trying to keep one's roster intact, but that's truly ridiculous.

http://www.nypost.com/p/freak_show_coming_to_coney_oldest_B8RpFdhFu8YAuaBpZfi8cP

When Even Dogs Are Able to Get Access to Guns and Are Using Them on Humans...

...you know we need tighter gun control laws. See linked story -- This is Ruff Stuff. Talk about the country goin' to the dogs...

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/01/ap/strange/main6162474.shtml

The Curious Case of Obama & The Dems' Health Care Legislation: Alive or Dead?

Short answer: It's not dead, at least not yet. What sources told Dick Morris earlier this week -- and as passed along in this space -- was clearly not correct. Morris reported sources telling him that Obama, Pelosi and Reid had basically come to agreement that the House would pass the Senate's version of the bill (with Obama then signing it into law), followed by the House and Senate passing an additional bill that would amend the bill Obama signed so that House dems can get some of the things they want (including, perhaps, a "public option") into the bill. The passage of the second bill was to be accomplished in the Senate by use of the "nuclear option," AKA reconciliation -- an infrequently used procedural gimmick that allows a majority party to circumvent the normal Senate rules and pass a "budget-related" measure by a simple majority vote rather than the typical 60 required to avoid a filibuster.

There has clearly not yet been an agreement to pursue that course of action (Morris' sources were wrong). But make no mistake, Obama/Reid/Pelosi are clearly mulling that very same course of action, and just can't seem to make up their minds (see linked story from today's Politico.com). Regardless of outcome, it's going to be fascinating to observe whether the far left powerbrokers ultimately choose to ram-rod something through using the nuclear option or whether the legislation truly does die on the vine (and of course, the dems also have other options, such as trying to pass more-popular bits and pieces of their bill in piecemeal fashion). But keep your eyes open, because the notion of the dems passing a "comprehensive" bill ain't dead yet, folks.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/32285_Page2.html

Oh My! How the Mighty Have Fallen!

Rip Torn -- once the ruler of his own kingdom, master of the massive and powerful Jun horde that pursued The Beastmaster to the edge of Hell, and owner of the highly esteemed title of "High-Priest Sorcerer" Maax -- gets thrown into a Connecticut hoosgaw this weekend for gettin' drunk, packin' heat, and trying to knock over a bank (allegedly). This may be one of the most dramatic falls from grace since footballer Todd Reesing turned Heisman crowing into a 7-game losing streak to wrap up his career at the University of Kansas. Heck, looking even more big picture, Torn's may be the biggest plunge in fortunes since God cast Lucifer out of Heaven and into The Abyss! "He used to rule the world -- Seas would rise when he gave the word..."

http://www.newyorkpost.com/p/news/national/actor_rip_torn_breaks_into_bank_kdpJfu8HvpPMtNwgAVBISP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44xirQ55IgA

"I Am NOT An Ideologue!", Crows Obama Today. Plus, Now He's Considering Having the Justice Department Look Into College Football's BCS System...

First item today: The ideologue denial immediately conjures up for me images of Nixon's infamous "I am NOT a Crook" proclamation, particularly (1) from a White House that has shown some real Nixonian propensities over the past year (most notoriously, encouraging American citizens to report other citizens to the White House if they say anything "fishy" about Obama & The Dems' health care reform desires), and (2) due to the complete absurdity and non-reality that the two statements share.

Second item: The link below is headlining drudge tonight, and discusses how Obama's Justice Department is making noise about investigating college football's BCS system (yes, I emphasize the B & the S in that abbreviation). Should college football toss the BCS system in the toilet and adopt an 8-team playoff system to determine the national champion? ABSOLUTELY. But should the federal government play any role in trying to force that to occur? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Tell me, is there really any aspect of our lives that Obama & The Dems don't want to get their hands on? Well, actually, I'm not sure why I'm even complaining. They are radical left progressives, after all. It's just what they are and what they want. And BTW, SHAME on old republican fat-cat Orrin Hatch for instigating this BCS-investigation silliness in the first place.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/ncaa/01/29/obama.bcs.ap/index.html?xid=si_ncaaf

Good Cause, First Lady!

Michelle Obama is onboard for a new campaign to fight obesity in the country (first link below). Obesity takes lives prematurely. Obesity drives up health care costs. Any initiative designed to combat it (so long as people are not forced or coerced into losing weight) is fine by me, and I applaud it (because it's damn hard to lose weight). I'll even make my own personal contribution of the recipe for a personal invention of mine -- the ultra low fat Slimeball Sandwich (second link below)!

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60R7N020100128

http://independentrage.blogspot.com/2009/05/gingrich-blasts-pelosi-talk-about.html

Good Grief!

Remind me never to set foot in Rubidoux, wherever the hell that is (appears to be somewhere in Cali). Matter of fact, remind me never to set foot within 2-3 states of wherever Rubidoux is.

http://www.ktla.com/ktla-rubidoux-felons,0,3059243.story

Heard the Last 45 Minutes Of the State of the Union. Struck Me As More of the Same.

...although I did not catch all of it. What I heard was pretty uninspired. Came across as a professor teaching a class or something. On substance, I heard little to indicate any upcoming Clintonian-style move towards the center. Instead, sounds like he's not moving at all to the center. Heck, he probably could have given this exact same speech a year ago, because very little has changed in his rhetoric or what he wants to pursue. We got the obligatory Blame Bush stuff. And I really don't get how he is still calling for earmark reform when he signed a massive "stimulus" bill that had thousands of earmarks, or how he is still calling for more transparency in Washington when he stood by and did nothing as the Senate dems forged all these slimey back-room deals in order to ram through a highly unpopular health care bill. Sorry, it all just rings hollow and missing in any real conviction. Bottom line: Mediocre stuff. I give him a C (lower likely if I'd heard the entire speech, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt for the part that I didn't hear).

Random Thoughts...Who Says I'm Some Deranged Right-Winger or Loony Left-Winger? Or Am I Both at the Same Time?

For example, I'm intrigued by the idea of the spending freeze that Obama had proposed. (Of course, his partisans on the left in Congress reject the idea, while mindless right-wingers of course claim that it doesn't go far enough, and so they oppose it too.) If Obama truly wants to turn over a new populist leaf, however, he should first push for a bill that amends the massive stimulus bill of the past year in order to eliminate all of the pork that was not designed nor intended in any way, shape or form to "stimulate" the economy or to create any new jobs. (Obviously, that's never going to happen, I realize.)

Another thing intriguing to me is the idea of caps on credit card interest rates. I saw today that both the banking industry and the Obama administration oppose such caps. (BTW, that particular combination agreeing on something should probably be your first clue that the idea of caps might have some merit). I'm not up on the issue nor well-informed at the moment, but I would at least be open to the idea. Like I said, random thoughts tonight.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/32033.html

Told You So: Reports of the Dems' Massive Health Care Bill Being Dead Were Apparently Greatly Exaggerated.

I had read and heard that Obama, Pelosi, Reid and other high-level dems were meeting this past weekend to talk about possible strategies for saving a large-scale health care bill like the versions that passed the House and Senate last year. Well today, Dick Morris reports on the plan that came out of those meetings. Here's the new plan, according to what sources have told Morris: First, the House will vote to pass the version of the bill that the Senate previously passed. That bill will then go to Obama, who will sign it into law. Of course, radical left progressives in the House hate the Senate bill -- And so why would they ever vote for it? Because in advance of voting for it, Senate dems will promise them in writing that certain changes will be made to the Senate bill after it's signed into law. How can that be, you ask? The changes will be made in the form of new legislation that will "amend" the bill that's already been signed into law.

So next you ask -- How could such "amendments" ever get through the Senate since the dems have lost their 60-seat supermajority? Well, according to Morris, that's where the so-called "nuclear option" (the obscure budgetary procedure called "reconciliation") would come in, with the Senate ramming through the "amendments" by needing only 51 votes -- effectively bypassing the normal legislative process in the Senate, which requires 60 votes to avoid a filibuster.

Now, if there was ever a case in which a person actually hates to say I told you so, this would it. I only wish the dems' massive and widely unpopular health care bill was truly dead. Maybe it will still die (e.g., if not enough House or Senate dems agree to buy in on this new Obama/Pelosi/Reid plan), but it certainly would appear that it ain't dead yet (subject to Morris' sources being way off, which I doubt).

http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/2010/01/25/pelosi-and-reid-plot-secret-plan-for-obamacare/#more-710

Obama & The Dems: We're Gonna FIGHT! Are They Blind? Or Purely Fatalistic?

The rhetoric from Obama & The Dems this weekend is that of No Retreat, No Surrender, No Movement to the Center. Despite the recent results in Massachusetts, Virgina and New Jersey, they're ready to FIGHT, they claim, and to remain on course with the far left progressive agenda that they've been trying to force down our throats over the past year. Not that any of this comes as a surprise. As expressed in this space and elsewhere, I had little confidence following the Brown victory this week that Obama would show the political shrewdness of Bill Clinton after the repubs took control of Congress in 1994, which resulted in a sharp march to the center by Clinton (saving Clinton's presidency and garnering him a second term).

Do Obama & The Dems really think it's just a little noisy group of conservative republicans and tea partiers who have rejected the far left course that they want to lead this country down? Well, I for one don't think they're that dumb. I think they know full well, or at least have some strong indication, that the opposition to their vision runs rampant among Independents, non-conservative republicans and non-liberal dems alike. I just don't think they really care (even though they risk losing the entire Congress this fall if they proceed as they have been). And that complete indifference to the Will of The People is precisely what makes them so dangerous. We have not yet seen the end of Scary Days, folks.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703415804575023503578243386.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories

The Folks Are Mad Down in Venezuela Too! Tens of Thousands Hit the Streets Today to Protest the Policies of Socialist "President" Hugo Chavez.

Chavez should enlist his best buddy, Danny Glover, to help out with this mess -- That is, if Glover can tear himself away from blaming America for the Haitian earthquake. As discussed in the more-distant past in this space, the general policy of appeasement that has been pursued by both the W and Obama administrations towards Chavez -- and the fear of ever saying anything "too harsh" about any of the undemocratic actions or words that emanate from that buffoon -- has been pathetic and an ongoing joke for several years now.

And as also previously discussed in this space: To be clear, I do not advocate in any way, shape or form a return to the old Cold War American way of doing things in Central and South America, including myriad CIA involvements in efforts to topple left-wing regimes. All I'm saying is that the American government needs to stop the rhetorical pussyfooting and smiley glad-handing when it comes to Chavez.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,583747,00.html

Burger King Joint to Offer Beer with Whoppers. Oh, That'll Work.

It's to be called "The Whopper Bar." The only thing that could be better? If White Castle joined in on this action. I'd be like, "Oh waitress? Bring me a beer and keep 'em coming, sweetie, and while you're at it, bring me a Crave Case of Slyders with cheese and a box 'a Fish Bytes to wash it down -- And don't forget that tartar, honey." Actually, I think I already had this conversation once in a dream. One of these days, they must bring back the White Castle to Kansas City!

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2010-01-21-burger-king-beer_N.htm

You Can Act Like a Man!!! (Or a Lady.)Whatsa Matta With You!

Political opportunist and turncoat Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) today does his best cross-impersonation between Don Vito Corleone and Eleanor Clift, telling Rep. Michelle Bachmann (D-MN) on a radio show, "Don't interrupt me!" (in best whiney Clift fashion), and then telling her, "I'm going to treat you like a lady -- Now act like one!" Hit the link below for the audio. Translation: Shut up, sit down, and know your place, woman. Not that right-winger Bachmann is exactly my cup of "Tea," but Specter comes across here as a sophomoric, incoherent lout (hey, I've been there myself many times). But regardless, you might ask why I would pick this silly item for the subject of the daily blog post when there were, truth be told, much better topics today (such as some the complete meltdowns of the far left progressive media types as they realize they're likely not going to get their massive health care reform bill). Well, anytime I can connect a political item to The Godfather (or any other favorite movie of mine), that's what you're gonna get!

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/01/21/specter_tells_bachmann_to_act_like_a_lady.html

"The Angry Independent Wins." I Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself.

So I won't try. From an article on today's Politico.com:

"The angry independent wins

Ideologues and hard-core partisans dominate the leadership of both parties and the cable TV debates. But it’s the independents who are the deciders in most elections.

This voting bloc has swung decisively against Democrats, starting this past summer. A review of polling in Massachusetts, in other states and nationally shows the same thing: By about a 2-to-1 margin, independents have turned on Democrats.

A new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll found that two-thirds of independents would prefer Republicans controlled Congress. The same polls show the voters don’t even like Republicans. A CBS News poll showed only one-third of independents approve of Obama’s handling of the economy — a nearly 20-point drop in less than one year.

In all three big Democratic losses this past year — in New Jersey, Virginia and now Massachusetts — better than 60 percent of independents said they backed Republicans.

It would be a mistake for Republicans and Democrats to chalk this up to the health care bill. Independents consistently tell pollsters they aren’t happy with anything Washington is doing when it comes to the economy and domestic issues.

For the foreseeable future, the wrath of independents will hit Democrats hardest."

Now, the only thing I would add here is that some of the angry Independents need to start running for office in 2010 so that repubs (so often devoted right-wingers) aren't always the only alternative to the leftist dems. Of course, in past American political history, it's typically been very tough for Independents to successfully run for statewide and federal offices. But in case you haven't noticed, this ain't 2004, 1994 or 1984. There's something going on now that I've never seen in my lifetime: Independents, non-liberal dems, and non-conservative repubs -- many of whom have never been vocal or politically active in their entire lives -- are risin' up, makin' noise, and telling these two parties that we have had it with the political system over which they preside. (And I don't think either party yet has a full understanding of what's going on here). As the top of this blog frequently states, "We Are Relevant. And We Are Everywhere." Now we just need some new options in terms of the candidates for whom we can vote in these elections. That's my vision and my dream. Let's start makin' it happen!

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=4C151BFB-18FE-70B2-A8125C4C2AC9AF32

HISTORY MADE: Independents Make Their Voices Heard LOUD & CLEAR Tonight in Massachusetts

(Although I seriously doubt that DC dems are going to pay an ounce of attention, but I digress).

As to today's events: First, I must start by noting that over half of the registered voters in Massachusetts are registered as Independents. Those folks voted overwelmingly today against the radical-left-progressive-controlled Washington DC that's been created by Obama & The Dems, electing republican Scott Brown over dem Martha Coakley to fill the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by the deceased Teddy Kennedy. This is one of the biggest political upsets of my lifetime, and almost certainly the most significant one, because it puts a decent-sized dent in the total control of DC that Obama & The Dems have had over the last year, ending the filibuster-proof block of dem votes in the Senate formed by 58 dems and two left-leaning "independents."

Now, you won't hear me celebrating tonight that a republican won in Massachusetts -- I'd would have much preferred for all those Independents there to have put up their own Independent candidate in this race. But no mistake, I think it's wonderful that a bit of Obama & The Dems' grip on federal power has been loosened tonight -- And moreover, that Independents were responsible! And it also just goes to demonstrate what I've been talking about since I started this blog last spring: There are more of us angry Independents out here than dems and republicans can count, and we are fed up with this political system. And we ain't going away anytime soon. Make book on it.

(Postscript: As stated in this space earlier this week, I'll still "believe it when I see it" that Brown's victory means the death of the Obama & The Dems' massive and unpopular health care legislation. I still think these people are going to try to find some way to ram that thing right on through, although I'd certainly love to be wrong on that front.)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704561004575013411330904680.html

Some Dems Are Blaming Bush For the Surging Polls of Massachusetts Republican Senatorial Candidate Scott Brown. Right!!!

(See linked story). And Brown's surge of course has nothing to do with, say, (1) an inept, unenthusiastic and gaffe-laiden campaign run by dem Martha Coakley nor (2) the hard left progressive agenda that Obama & the Dems have been trying to shove down our throats over the last year which has resulted in a populist, anti-establishment tidal wave sweeping the country. Nope, Bush caused all this, just like he caused so many hurricanes, bridge collapses and deadly new forms of influenza. You know, I'm starting to think that 50 years from now, when I'm probably lying six feet under, the dems are still going to be blaming Bush for all of the world's calamities and events gone wrong. But at least then, I won't have to listen to it anymore.

http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/01/after_obama_ral.php

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr., Day to All

I'm not much of an historian, and King was before my time, and I'm certainly not the most well-read on him. But one thing I have read previously is King's Letter From a Birmingham Jail (link to text below) which he wrote to fellow clergymen. Probably the most striking thing to me about this letter is that King -- like most great leaders -- is clearly on a level of moral plane that most human beings never reach. (I doubt that I ever could or will, for example). This is exhibited in the passages concerning why he at times broke laws that then existed. Also striking are many of his written words, from succinct yet extremely powerful sentences (e.g., "I am in Birmingham because there is injustice here," "Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever") to longer sentences and passages that are truly inspirational. Perhaps the best example of the latter would be the sentence that King uses to close his letter:

"Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty."

http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html

DC Dems Floating Trial Balloons About Using the Nuclear Option to Ram the Final Health Bill Through the Senate, If Necessary. Stop the Press!

Obama & The Dems appear to be anticipating that using the obscure procedural mechanism sometimes referred to as reconciliation or "the nuclear option" (meaning 51 votes suffice rather than the typically required 60) could conceivably become necessary if repubs pull an upset in the Massachusetts Senate election next week, thereby leaving the dems with only 59 votes in the Senate. (Of course, another vote in the Senate will be necessary on the final health care bill, which "merges" (i.e. incorporates myriad back-room deals that none of us know about) the two versions of the bill that previously passed the House and Senate.)

Here's my reaction: Of course they'll use the nuclear option if it becomes necessary, although it likely won't be. Even if the repubs pull off the Massachusetts upset, it would seem unlikely that the new repub even gets seated before the dems are ready to vote on the final bill in the Senate. And here's my thing: Even if both of those events occur (an upset plus the new guy gets to vote on the merged bill), do you really think for one minute of your life that the current radical-left progressive-controlled dem party that controls Washington is going to let ANYTHING occur OTHER than a massive and unpopular health care monstrosity get rammed right down our throats? Sorry, that ain't happenin'. These people will do whatever it takes on this health care bill. And if you don't believe that, then you've been paying absolutely no attention to how the current breed of DC dems has acted over the past year.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aPg2UfFaCh9c&pos=9