Afghanistan

So, now we've gotten at least four Americans killed, and possibly more. What's Joe the Peacemaker planning to do in response, I wonder?

Cranky Old Bastard

So, at the age of 60, I actually found occasion to use the phrase 'obstreperous harridan' (said with some venom) for the first time in a conversation. It just kind of popped out. I've known the words, and been capable of pronouncing such a judgement since pre-teen years, but, had I done so when younger, my friends would have giggled at me, and I've have felt embarassed or self-conscious, and felt called-upon to make some self-effacing remark (which I probably would not have, but would have felt pressured nonetheless). As it is, with the gravitas of my age, I felt moral authority. I'm ripening into the proper sort of cranky old bastard that I've always admired.

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Biden's Speech

That was quite the performance. He quoted both the Bible *and* Abraham Lincoln ("the last full measure") in one speech, a sure sign that a politician knows his ship is sinking. Every politician reads from the teleprompter, but Biden make it obvious, stumbling over words, and staring fixedly at the device. I'm fairly sure it either died or malfunctioned, right before that "moment of silence" where he was busy as hell with his right hand under the lectern. I'll give him credit for improvising. An interesting moment at the end too, where he admitted that his staff had given him a list of people that he was supposed to call on for questions.