The cup . . .

. . . is back - and well played on both sides.

For those of you . . .

. . . who prefer graphics over words.

Begging the question . . .

. . . It's not what most people think.

Most people think "begging the question" (petitio principii) is synonymous with "raising a question." It is not. Begging the question is a logical falacy wherein a questionable premise is used to validate a conclusion. Here's one:

From CNN's Jack Cafferty
Race is arguably the biggest issue in this election, and it's one that nobody's talking about. The differences between Barack Obama and John McCain couldn't be more well-defined. Obama wants to change Washington. McCain is a part of Washington and a part of the Bush legacy. Yet the polls remain close. Doesn't make sense…unless it's race.

While there may in fact be a racial component, a close look at the logic of this piece indicates that Mr. Cafferty has a bad case of cranial rectitis* in trying to prove it it.

Premise: Obama and McCain have clear ideological differences, and the polls are still close.

Conclusion: the only reason is race.

Stupid. Racist in its own way.

I would quit obscessing about the election, except: a) I'm really concerned about this election, and b) No one reads my blog anyhow, so what does it matter.

--------------------------------
* The technical term for Asshat.

Bipartisan?

. . . Judge for yourself.

Democrats made up 55 percent of John McCain's political partners over the last two Congresses, including on the tough issues of campaign finance and global warming. For Obama, Republicans were only 13 percent of his co-sponsors during his time in the Senate, and he had his biggest bipartisan successes on noncontroversial measures, such as issuing a postage stamp in honor of civil rights icon Rosa Parks.

The Bush Doctrine . . .

. . . do you know what it is?

Liberal bloggers and talking heads are slobbering all over themselves because Sarah Palin apparently didn't know what it was.

The fact is that Charlie Gibson didn't either. He said it was "preemptive war." She said it was about eliminating global terrorism. It turns out that she WAS right, and Charlie was only 25% correct.

The so-called Bush Doctrine isn't an official document per-se, but an evolved policy for combatting global terrorisim. In fact, the term was first used by Charles Krauthammer, and consists of four parts:

1. If a country harbors terrorists, it will be treated as a terrorist.
2. The U.S. reserves the right to preemptive strikes to prevent terrorist acts.
3. Democracy around the world will be supported.
4. The U.S. reserves the right to unilateral action to prevent terrorist acts against its interests.

Not that logic matters, though.

Scheduling an appointment . . .

Yesterday, Mrs. B had an epidural steroid injection at L5 to try to treat pains in her leg resulting from nerve irritation.

This morning, receptionist scheduling asshole at her surgeon's office called to set a follow-up appointment.

Scheduling Asshole: Is Mrs. B there?

Me: I'm sorry she's sleeping because of the procedure from yesterday.

SA: I know. I'm calling to schedule a follow-up appointment.

Me: I'll call you back when she wakes up.

SA: Well, then I'll just go ahead and schedule a time, and you can call back to confirm.

Me: (sotto voce - sigh. . . ) Why waste the time setting up an appointment when you don't know if we can make it?

SA: What do you mean?

Me: (sotto voce - listen, dumbass, what did I just say?) The appointment depends on my work schedule and her other appointments.

SA: Well, I can just schedule it then?

Me: (sotto voce - OK, I'll speak slowly, using small words) No, you can't do that.

SA: Why?

Me: (mental image of wrapping phone cord around her fat neck) Because you have NO idea whether or not we can make it on the day you schedule.

SA: If you know your work schedule, let's just set it now.

Me: (mental image of drawing and quartering Mel Gibson at the end of Braveheart) No, let's not. Give me your phone number, and I'll call you back.

SA: Call back soon so you won't miss out on an appointment. They're filling up fast.

Me: (mental image of strangling her under a blue-light special light at K-Mart) Right. Bye. Click.

I have found THE reason . . .

. . . I need to vote for McCain.

80% of the French prefer for Obama to win. In my book, that alone is full justification for a McCain vote.