War is hell, when will it end?
When will people start gettin’ together again?
Are things really gettin’ better Like the newspaper said?…
Can’t find no work, can’t find no job, my friend.
Money is tighter than it’s ever been.
Hey, man, I just don’t understand What’s goin’ on across this land.


Seton Smith, Red Tree

* Top ten conservativie idiots. excerpt:

1. John McCain

"Stop the presses! John McCain has an economic plan, and, well, wow, it's just great. You know how George W. Bush drove the American economy directly into a ditch and then jumped out and watched it burst into flames with everyone trapped inside? Don't fret, because John McCain is here to save the day!

"Some highlights from McCain's plan:

"Extend George W. Bush's excellent "Tax Cuts For Multi-Millionaires" program.

"Decrease taxes on big corporations.

"Mention to big corporations that it would be really great if they could perhaps think about being a bit more responsible.

"Freeze domestic spending. (Because clearly this country is spending far too much money on health care and child care and education.)

"Stay in Iraq for another 100 years.

"I know what you're thinking - isn't this plan just like what George W. Bush is already doing, only somehow even more misguided and unfair to the average Joe? Well yes, that may be true, but think about this logically. How are we ever going to be able to continue to afford to spend $340 million dollars a day in Iraq if we don't crack down on free school lunches and cheap prescription drugs for the elderly?"

* A suit you can wash in the shower. excerpt:

"The suit, made under licence in Japan, is the first to pull off a long-sought coup that could spell the end of dry-cleaning bills for white-collar workers.

"It is billed as the first two-piece that can be washed in the shower each evening and be ready to wear again in the morning – with no ironing required. And amazingly, after a rigorous road test, it appears to fulfil that pledge.

"Konaka, a Japanese menswear retailer, and Australian Wool Innovation Ltd devised the suit as a solution to the problem of long, hot, sticky summers during which salarymen have to remain fully suited and booted. The lightweight woollen suit, made using a fabric blend that includes polyester, has two special finishes that help it to maintain its shape.

"Our tester, IoS reporter Andrew Johnson, said: 'The suit is surprisingly light and comfortable, although probably not too warm in winter. Nor is it very waterproof. It only takes moments for it to become soaked once in the shower. It's definitely a summer suit.'

"'Once hung up to dry, however, the miracle begins. The suit quickly drips to a damp state and the next day is bone dry with only one crease – where it should be, down the front of the trousers.'

"A spokeswoman for John Pearse, who has dressed clients ranging from Sir Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan to Jack Nicholson, George Clooney and Brad Pitt, stressed that the shower-proof suit was a world away from the company's usual 'bespoke' offerings."

* YouTube: the last flight from Da Nang.

"This CBS report was in March 1975. Edward J.Daly,owner of World Airways, sent a Boeing 727 aircraft to Da Nang Vietnam to pick up stranded woman and children. Instead the aircraft was swamped by military personnel climbing on the aircraft. There were 260 people aboard a plane which is designed to carry 105. The plane was overloaded by 20,000 pounds. The baggage compartments were loaded with people. Some of the problems during the flight included, the rear stairway remained partially extended for the entire flight, the main wheels would not retract, a hand grenade damage to one of the wings causing fuel loss, and the lower cargo doors were open. The plane had to fly at 10,000 feet because of lack of pressurization thus fuel consumption was three times greater than normal."

* "Art is long, life short; judgement difficult, opportunity transient." - Goethe