I use cochineal to color soap, especially rose scented bars. I also use nutmeg, cinnamon and coffee. Cappuchinno, anyone?

Good morning, Glenn. George Will has always been a dishonest curmudgeon in high dudgeon. I can’t wait until his hour is up on the national stage.

Im reminded of cycles once more. There was a time when Will’s was the voice in the wilderness. Conservatives wahhhhh’d mightily that the liberal press ignored, mocked or vilified them and wouldn’t let them play with the serious people (I’ve always believed there was good reason for that and they haven’t proven me wrong). Now that the tables have turned, they’ve locked us out just the same.

And here we are again. Another cycle, another change movement is being born. The Tea Party doesn’t have the power to change history, in the long run. Selfishness, hatred and fear are not the transforming qualities that justice is. This movement, though…

I’m old enough to remember when this was true. People discussed politics and ideas without hating each other, joined grops to effect change. I’m hopeful we can make it true again, but it will happen in spite of the media and because of the Internet, and on a local level.

I ebought three of your books from Powells this morning. I’m looking forward to reading them. Thanks! It’s nice to feel enthusiastic again, after all this time.

You are so right about the level of ignorance about her Dominionist sect. What I’ve read about it, from the links you’ve posted in the past and from following dog emperor’s diaries, really opened my eyes. I see her and the others’ involved in it, as much more about political power than about god. The hardness in Sarah gives me the willies.

I loved this book. It was so easy to read, ended much too soon, and reminded me to re-read Going to Extremes(and also Coming Into the Country by John McPhee).

Elliot, all along I’ve thought she was after the “easy” way out, but thought that no one who had four kids already could be so cold. After reading the book, I don’t think so anymore. All our gut instincts seem to be correct. I don’t think the book is gossipy. There’s no way to recount bad character that doesn’t sound like gossip. We really dodged a bullet with her and McCain.

The Dominionism is what scares me. If you’ve noticed, lately the leaders and lesser lights of the moment have been backpedaling, claiming us heathen atheists have no clue about the movement and are simply spreading fear and rumors. Poor Christians. They’re going underground, to the horror of watchers.

I don’t know what to make of the fact that St. Sarah doesn’t go to church regular-like. Did you get the impression her faith is, um, political?

Dean and/or William, what is your opinion of the FCIC. Did they do their job? Or was it just an exercise inPR.?

Both quotes suit the sit.

When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and waving a cross. S. Lewis

I have at times despaired when thinking of the complexity of our now world economy, but thinking about cycles always cheers me up. I believe the time of ascendancy for the new robber barons is about over and the tables will be turned. I’m an old lady, so I may not live to see it, but my Sprout will benefit.

What about the way Econ and finance are taught at B schools and Universities? If the underlying assumptions being taught to all students are flawed, I would think that would be a tough nut to crack.

Do I remember correctly Greenspan disingenuously questioning whether there was a bubble at all? He was disingenuous about a lot of things.

Thanks to you both for your efforts in explaining it all to us. I’m on Chapter 3 and loving it.

In conservative-speak, all the screaming since the 70′s about our social programs “redistributing the wealth” to people who don’t deserve it because they aren’t, what, handsome, beautiful, fortunate in birth or psychopaths has been cover for the fact that they were busy doing it themselves?

What can we do to reclaim the conversation? The first thing Ineed to do is become economically literate, so here I am.