I just read a new book, “Gulp,” about the digestive system. There is half a chapter about Elvis’ paralyzed colon. As we know he died “straining at stool,” but what we didn’t know is that he likely suffered from constipation his whole life. He toured with a doctor who gave him (usually) well-timed enemas. Puts things in perspective.

I don’t understand bitcoins, probably because I don’t think like a grifter. Is it just a fake money, that you have to sell (at the top) in order to earn a profit? Isn’t that the definition of a ponzi scheme?

Roberts doesn’t. Scalia and Thomas don’t give a rat’s ass.

Appropriate song for this anniversary. That’s how I felt 10 years ago, as the media parroted back the patently absurd talking points of the Bushies verbatim, and laughed off anyone who had real facts.

Word is, she was diagnosed and hospitalized as paranoid schizophrenic a while back. If true, her self-destructive WTF behavior would make some sense in that light. Even anti-gay religious bigots know on which side their bread is buttered.

Hi, good point. I should mention that I’m coming from the bubble of Los Angeles, where I feel safe being out. Still I didn’t grow up here and I realize that a lot of the country is nowhere near as progressive on gay rights and other issues. I don’t mean to suggest all the work is done. Far from it. And great to have a champion like Hillary or whoever saying they support them (whatever that “support” means). But to have a leader come out and promise to prosecute Jamie Dimon et al, who promise to not steal from Social Security and other programs to pay off the Wall Street gambling debt, and hell let’s throw in a promise not to use secret drone warfare and go after whistleblowers… THAT would really excite me. Waiting.

First, good for her. It was less risky to do it now than back in 08, but whatever. I’ll try not to be cynical.

Gay marriage has ceased to be an important issue for me. I say this as a gay man. For a few reasons. I think marriage is a conservative institution and I have no interest in it. And more broadly I would prefer we tackle some other LGBT issues first, like the fact it’s still legal to discriminate in many states, for jobs, housing, etc. ENDA trumps the repeal of DOMA, though I suspect DOMA is going down.

The public, and now politicians, have made huge strides toward supporting marriage equality in the past five years. Fast, fast progress, that will not be reversed. At the same time we’re going backward on economic equality. As Rachel Maddow said, if Rob Portman’s son had come out as poor, that would be something. But he wouldn’t, because he’s the son of a 1 percenter, as are all offspring of Senators. I don’t think there are any senators who are not millionaires; maybe Sanders or Tester but very few.

Those are issues that concern me now, more than LGBT rights, and again I say this as a gay man who cared more passionately about gay rights in my youth. I saw the writing on the wall a while ago, even as states were passing anti-marriage legislation as fast as they could circa 2004. I knew we’d make progress on gay equality. Why? Because gays and lesbians are a convenient political football for the GOP… until we’re not. And more importantly, we are not nor have we ever been, a threat to the economic elite in this country.

Economic justice, Hillary (and other contenders). Let’s hear about that.

I believe the hostages were taken in fall of 79

It’s only the safety nets put in place by FDR and LBJ that keeps inequality from being the highest, ever. Which is why the far right and it’s Very Important Thinkers in the beltway want so badly to dismantle it.

Eh, there’s hope for L.A. yet. A few parts (mine, W Hollywood) are very walkable. But walkable parts are always more expensive. And zip car locations are coming closer all the time. Driving around from hood to hood is a problem though, unless you’re doing it at 3 a.m. on Christmas. Las Vegas and Phoenix? Totally not walkable anywhere.

Filibuster reform. There’s critical mass for making this happen. Angus King has said he will spearhead this as his first action.

He’s another “rape babies are a gift” Republican, just a little quieter about it.

Okay enough razzing of Ohio. This video could have been a GOP rally in ANY state. Or just about any state. I grew up in NE Ohio. It’s a mixed bag. Some of the smartest people anywhere, and these… these… what the HELL are these people? What carnage this is. And to think, at a rally, wouldn’t that be filled with people who are MORE inclined to know what their candidate stands for? Not ONE of these, these… what the fuck are they?… knew anything about Romney, except the important fact that he’s not black.

Competitive third and fourth parties would make it a lot more interesting and shake up the EC red/blue map without having to eliminate the EC. That would be a better outcome. To do that, you’d have to break up the hold that R and D have on the system.

There were times when more states were swingier. And a time when they flipped; Vermont used to be so R I think it was the only one that went for Hoover in 32.

Serial killers and other sociopaths start by torturing animals, typically. This will not be an isolated incident.

Only in America can shitweasels like this be viable candidates for high public office. Favored candidates, even.

In related news, a Republican African-American group said, “thumbs up to the KKK.” “Down with socialism, and up with free white sheets for everyone,” the president of the organization said.

Debates are wrestling matches, in suits. I’s a show.

I don’t think Obama threw the debate. I think it could be chalked up to a lot of things. However, I don’t think presidents should have more than one term. Carter suggested they all get one six-year term. Maybe he’s burned out. Not the easiest job.

Well that was 90 minutes I’ll never get back.