2. Indeed, we're in a precarious state.
3. Soon, my previous bearishness might not be so "reality-based". What should I do given the changing facts? Alter my working models and admit I was in error, or confidently cling to them no matter what? What if I was playing with other people's tax dollars (and lives) rather than just my own? What then? The only way I can lose is if I quit playing, right?
4. Chris Rose 11/7/06:
A friend of mine had been telling me: "If you want to experience a nice New Orleans moment, go to the Oak Street Cafe for breakfast. There's a piano player there and he plays for tips while you eat and it's a great scene."
Agreed.
So, before I went to the Oak Street Cafe, I went to the barber shop down the block because another friend had told me that if I wanted to experience a nice New Orleans moment, I should go to the old barbershop on Oak Street because the guy who cuts hair there has been there for something like 90 years and he's a character.
This is probably true. But let me also recommend Mr. Louis (8218 Maple). You'll end up paying about $2/minute, but it's well worth it. Mr. Louis effortlessly cuts and converses, and provides a therapeutic, restorative experience. He reminds me of the chiropractor Danny Aiello played in Jacob's Ladder (also named Louis). I like him. Ray Ward goes there as well, among many others.
In a recent T-P column (which I can't locate) about how pleasant Halloween was this year (in Uptown), Chris Rose says something like "living in a city where my children aren't safe isn't part of my 'philosophical wheelhouse'". Honestly and sincerely, I'd like to hear more about Rose's philosophical wheelhouse. He doesn't have to refer to 19th-century continental thinkers, but give me something... anything. Just a hint; one clue is all I ask. For a great example of what I mean, read this fine post by Mark as well as the linked posts by Metbloggers Jack and Craig. Now that's what I'm talking about.
And, truly, Halloween was a fun and friendly night for the oyster clan. Princess Pearlgirl and Lovely and I trucked up and down Octavia street with Ashley's costumed family. Ashley was an iron chef, and he spotted some pre-teen girls dressed as Tommy Lee, Vince Neil, and Dee Snider circa 1984. He took "Tommy's" drumsticks and gave them an expert twirl, and was thereafter referred to as "Cool Guy" by the girls. (I barely restrained myself from doing a Bobby Jindal impersonation, and "shouting at the devil".) Ashley passed out cigars and delighted homeowners returned the favor with cold beers to enhance our walk. It was a fun Halloween-- including our early-evening visit to Dr A and Adrastos' place. We had to find out "what they were doing".
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5. James Gill's sleuthing has initiated widespread calls for "Legislative Auditor" Steve Theriot to resign. I join them. Let's have Patrick Fitzgerald or Eliot Spitzer choose a replacement from out of state.
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6. Recently, I've seen respected liberals parrot right-wing talking points in order to diminish Carville and Clinton's electoral accomplishments in '92. That's a great maneuver. Carville says things we don't like, so let's repeat the unsupported claim that Perot was a "spoiler" in 1992. Is it any wonder why many young progressives were so amazed by the Dem takeover two weeks ago when the netroots assert non-facts which reinforce the belief that once-in-a-generation election dynamics are required for Dems to win?
Do you think it's coincidence or dumb luck that Carville managed two of the most impressive Democratic campaigns in the last twenty years (Wofford '91 and Clinton '92)? Those should be sacred examples for Dems who want to win, but apparently it's much easier to discount those lessons when they interfere with taking sides in some petty little internecine feud. Let's diminish Carville's instructive accomplishments in 1992 because he said something we didn't like in 2006. (H/T to commenter noneyobiznas at The Talent Show for the must read Howler link.)
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7. There's a call from Moldy City for Rob "Unbelievable Transparency" Couhig to make a "principled resignation". Actually, I didn't know Couhig was still doing anything for Mayor Nagin. I thought he already moved on to talk radio.
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8. There are too many lawyers, yet not enough good ones. Apparently, Britney paid for some good ones.
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