Happy New Year.

I'm sad to report that the blog will remain largely dormant for the next few months.  My interest in bridge has waned as it does from time to time, but I'm sure I'll be back in force not too long from now.  I've had to disable my open comment policy, as the spammers have cluttered up the blog almost beyond recognition.  Needless to say, all non-spam posts will be authorized, regardless of content.

As for politics, I've remained largely silent since Obama secured the Democratic nomination.  I thought he was a charismatic and gifted public speaker who lacked the experience to be president.  So far he hasn't changed my mind much.  What America needs is a purging, a cleansing, an exorcism from the past 8 years, not Mr. Rogers introducing us to his neighbors.  Prosecute George Bush for war crimes.  Prosecute Dick Cheney for war crimes.  Prosecute Don Rumsfeld for war crimes.  Roll back the tax cuts on the wealthy.  Cut off the financial services bailout immediately.  Put money in working families pockets.  If they need credit, set up a federal agency to provide them with that credit.  Those are the steps that need to be taken.  None of those steps are being taken.  Obama hasn't impressed.  But we're stuck with him and we need to nudge him in the right direction.  I didn't understand the financial services bailout and I'm a pretty bright guy.  Turns out it was a bad idea.  Go figure.  As for the 'stimulus package', I think that any spending beyond the next 18 months needs to be passed in a separate bill.  We need a shot in the arm now, not 3 years from now.  It needs to go to working families who earn less than 100k per year.  It'll get spent that way. 

I'm watching a PBS show on President Lincoln.  Most overrated president ever as far as I'm concerned.  What a disgusting excuse for a human being this guy was.  Racist, power-hungry, incompetent war-time leader, less than completely sane.  I don't know why so many people buy the 'greatest president ever' company line.  It just isn't true. 

I've been playing EVE-Online a lot lately.  If you want to join me, I can give you a 3-week free trial.  Just holler.