Damn

Damn. Nobody has left a single comment in over a week. I know this little blog isn't all that interesting, but I do wish somebody would say something.

The McCain-Hayworth Debate

I didn't actually watch it, as I'm trying to maintain my mental health, but reading that McCain And Hayworth Pound Each Other At First Debate wasn't surprising. This race is an "ugly" contest, with each trying to be the ugliest in show:

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) had his first debate tonight with his challengers, former Rep. J.D. Hayworth and conservative activist Jim Deakin, hosted by 3TV in Phoenix.

And one thing was made very clear, as if we didn't know it already: McCain and Hayworth really don't like each other, and they're not trying to hide it as they head toward the August 24 Republican primary.

"Congressman Hayworth is a pretty persuasive fellow," McCain said early on. "After he was voted out by his constituents he became a lobbyist, and after that a talk show host, and after that an infomercial late night star." Hayworth was first elected to the House in the Republican wave of 1994, and went on to lose re-election after six terms in the Democratic wave of 2006.

"John claims he's a Ronald Reagan Republican, and right out of the gate he's violating the 11th Commandment," Hayworth responded a short while later. (Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment was, "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican.") "Now I will admit I made a mistake making that informercial, but I'm willing to admit my mistakes." By contrast, said Hayworth, McCain isn't admitting his mistakes in voting against the Bush tax cuts, and in having supported amnesty for illegal immigrants.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/07/mccain-and-hayworth-pound-each-other-at-first-debate.php

Sadly, this is Arizona, so whichever wins the repub primary will win the senate seat. And as much as I hate St. Sleazy McCain, J.D. "dumber than an eggplant" Hayworth would be even worse. Hayworth embodies all the most hateful traits of the current republican party.

And regardless of who wins, we'll continue to have the embarrassment of Jon Kyl. Damn.

Because I Can

Here's a gallery of Hairy Grotesques for you.

Saddest News of the Day

Lab tests cast doubt on olive oil's virginity.

Yup, even the Olive Oil is screwed.

Sunny Summer Boobies

Is there a better way to spend a sunny summer Friday than looking at Boobies? I don't think so.

I'd Like to Do This

(from helenofdestroy, who is definitely NSFW but very entertaining)

A Morbid Thought

Just to piggyback on the post below, based on the lack of an estate tax, anyone want to make a bet on Dick "the dick" Cheney making it to January? I'm pretty sure that one of his spawn would be more than willing to short circuit his 'device' to avoid paying taxes.

Death And Taxes

Ol' George Steinbrenner chose a good year to die:

By dying in 2010, the billionaire and long-time New York Yankees owner's wealth avoids the federal estate tax, likely saving his heirs enough money to field an entire team of Alex Rodriguezes

. Steinbrenner's death Tuesday came during an unplanned year-long gap in the estate tax, the first since it was enacted in 1916. Political wrangling has stalemated efforts in Congress to replace the tax that expired in 2009.

That deprives the government of billions of dollars in annual revenue but represents an unexpected bonanza for those who inherit wealth.

"If you're super-wealthy, it's a good year to die," said Jack Nuckolls, an attorney and estate planner with the accounting firm BDO Seidman. "It really is."

The death of the 80-year-old Steinbrenner, who had been in poor health for years, highlights a quirky tax situation that has drawn much scrutiny among the moneyed but little on Main Street. Only those with estates valued at more than $3.5 million had to pay under the old law.

Forbes magazine has estimated Steinbrenner's estate at $1.1 billion. The federal estate tax in 2009 was 45 percent, with the $3.5 million per-person exemption. If he had died last year, his estate could thus have faced federal taxes of almost $500 million, depending on how the estate was structured.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/13638313/no-estate-tax-for-yankees-after-steinbrenners-death/rss

Repubs love to rail against the estate tax, calling it the "death" tax, but only the very wealthy were subject to it. Certainly, Steinbrenner's heirs could pay the tax and remain incredibly rich.

I wonder how many more billionaires will kick the bucket before the year ends.

Animas Pic

Sorry to take so long, but here's a pic from Saturday on the Animas. We ripped it, and had a rather good time.

(I only took four pics on the entire trip.)

Go Laugh

6 Reasons to Ride a Polar Bear to Work

George Steinbrenner 1930-2010

I will restrain my urge to speak ill of the dead.
FTFY isn't speaking ill of him, is it?
Added: Such timing, passing on the day of the All-Star game, taking the focus away from a grand tradition.