Big K.R.I.T./Childish Gambino

PS- any state that can follow George Bush with Rick Perry

needs some kind of intervention.

PS- any state that can follow George Bush with Rick Perry

needs some kind of intervention.

Bradley Sroka: To answer your question—I certainly do consider an investment opportunity a present, especially one as tempting as the one you describe. Uzbeki copper coins, eh? Who would have thought? But it makes sense. I’ve sent the check you requested to your Post Office box, along with all my Credit Card numbers, my Social Security Number, and my mother’s maiden name (you’re certainly thorough, aren’t you, Brad?). I can’t thank you enough.Next year we’ll be millionaires

Sharpsm, please, I was very specific: Along with your mother's maiden name, I also need the address of your first residence, as well as the name of your childhood best friend. No major bank requires only one security question anymore. Uzbeki copper coins don't just rain from the sky--you have to be absolutely precise and unnervingly thorough to make this plan work. These aren't Civil War memorial pendants; these are the real deal.

Nate: Sparkling Plum Wine doesn't really taste that good, certainly not compared to the gold medal Plum IPA Microbrews featuring Willamette Valley hops and crystal clear rushing spring water, but it's so rare that I thought you'd be impressed with the gesture. Each plum is hand-picked and pitted by specially certified experts, known locally as plum-ers. Many homes are now fitted with indoor plum-ing so that the plum-ers can stay dry inside the house. Which reminds me to say that we don't worry too much about the explosive effects of the Shake Well instructions. We just step outside and rinse off in the rain, 362 days out of 365.

Hate to be callous, but does this mean Jason Isbell gets welcomed back into the fold?

So I, too, am going to be skeptical for the time being ...

Hmm.  So that must mean the real Cheetah is in the old folks' home with Elvis and the black-ified JFK fighting mummies...

Thanks for the recs Clown.  I'll try to check out the first two, as I suspect there are parallels with Texas and Oklahoma.  I've always avoided the Kansas book as, based on reviews, it seemed a bit patronizing.

Progressives were never dominant in Texas, but, back when the Democrats ruled the state, they had influence and could win the occasional election.  Winning the Democratic primary was tantamount to winning the election, so on those rare times a Jim Hightower or a Ralph Yarborough won the primary, they won the election.  Now, only winning the Republican primary wins you the election.  Outside minority districts (and maybe Austin), there are no significant progressive Democratic presences in the state, and even the conservative Democrats are scarce.

For the first time ever, I voted in the GOP primary this past spring in order to have some influence on a State Board of Education race.  I'm not the partisan Democrat I was years ago, but it felt very strange having 'Republican' stamped on my voter card.

Xity in Texas has, historically, played a mixed role: many times apolitical, sometimes progressive, more often conservative (especially in the past 40 years).  I grew up in a Southern Baptist church with a Democratic pastor concerned about social justice (especially racial issues).  But I'm well aware that that was not the norm.  That church set up a evangelical/social ministry that helped the poor in a state/city that would just as soon execute them.  The organization attracted so many needy people into the downtown area, that some city figures pressured/encouraged​ the ministry to move to a less conspicuous place.  (Bad for the city image to see so many poor people.)  To its credit, the church said no thanks, and continued providing food, medical services, etc. in plain sight of those bastards who ran the city. Again, I'm well aware that that's not how it usually happens, especially with Southern Baptists.  (And that pastor has since retired, so no idea if that would still be true.)

I just read Cheetah, the Tarzan chimp, died at at 80.  I had no idea chimps could live that long.

This one set off my popular-science BS detector. It's not outrageous for a well-pampered chimpanzee in captivity to reach 80 -- about like a 100-year-old human -- but it's a strong rarity and especially for like the most venerable chimp in the world. There's also the dubious history of flying ape-shirt with chimp obits --

burraburrahttp://www​.slate.com/blogs/bro​wbeat/2011/12/28/r_i​_p_cheetah_the_chimp​anzee_purported_star​_of_tarzan_films_imp​oster_.htmlook-okkac​kack

So I, too, am going to be skeptical for the time being ...

[edit/update -- 'cause I don't think it's worth another post -- evidence in the middle of this piece that I was being overly optimistic about chimp lifespans:

burraburrahttp://art​sbeat.blogs.nytimes.​com/2011/12/28/cheet​ah-chimpanzee-in-tar​zan-movies-has-died/​youoldmonkey

Speaking of, any thoughts one way or the other on Shonna's departure?