Some of you old-timers might remember my first Their Reality has Lapped Our Satire diary, and perhaps even the second one, Their Reality has Lapped Our Satire, Again.  Those diaries really came home to me this week with the New Yorker cover.

Was it satire?  Absolutely.  Was it rather ham-handed?  Yes.  But why was it so controversial?  It was so controversial because the right's version of "reality" has gone so far beyond the absurd that it just can not be satirized.  The New Yorker cover stands as proof that, yes, their reality has lapped our satire.

Cross-posted from

What can wine tell us about the world? Plenty, it turns out.  It is one of civilization's oldest products.  At one time it was a necessity, when food was served rotten and water was where you washed and evacuated.  Now it is enjoying a resurgence.  It is an agricultural product, and a unique one.  You see, vineyards have kept records of temperature, yield, and ripeness-dates for centuries, giving us incredibly precise records that tell us reams about the global environment. It is also a luxury item, particularly at the top end.  As such, its sale and purchase can tell us volumes about the global economy.

Today we look at wine, labor, and work conditions.

By now, most of you have seen Hillary Clinton's email to her supporters. Yes, we are actually supposed to believe she is going to concede the election and help Obama.  But anybody who has been following the election to date knows that will never happen.  Bill and Hillary Clinton will never surrender their fight for power, their narcissistic claim on the White House.  Fortunately, if you really take the time to analyze that email you can discern the truth.  

THIS is one of the most blatantly dishonest posts I have ever seen on the front page of Daily Kos.  He argues Clinton's electability, but does so by, well lying. It is truly an amazing feat of perfidy, and done based upons the presumption that people will only look at what is there, and not what is missing.

Cross-posted from

What can wine tell us about the world? Plenty, it turns out.  It is one of civilization's oldest products.  At one time it was a necessity, when food was served rotten and water was where you washed and evacuated.  Now it is enjoying a resurgence.  It is an agricultural product, and a unique one.  You see, vineyards have kept records of temperature, yield, and ripeness-dates for centuries, giving us incredibly precise records that tell us reams about the global environment. It is also a luxury item, particularly at the top end.  As such, its sale and purchase can tell us volumes about the global economy.

Today we look at Iowa, wine, and the "first in the nation" caucus.

Does anybody really have any question what got Obama truly upset?  

The ONLY thing Wright said this week that he had not said previously was 'Obama is just a politician.'  And that, coming from somebody who has been close to him and his family for years.  Of course, if it is true (and it is), Obama has nothing left.

Cross-posted from

What can wine tell us about the world? Plenty, it turns out.  It is one of civilization's oldest products.  At one time it was a necessity, when food was served rotten and water was where you washed and evacuated.  Now it is enjoying a resurgence.  It is an agricultural product, and a unique one.  You see, vineyards have kept records of temperature, yield, and ripeness-dates for centuries, giving us incredibly precise records that tell us reams about the global environment. It is also a luxury item, particularly at the top end.  As such, its sale and purchase can tell us volumes about the global economy.

Today we look at nature, Big Pharma, and orphan drugs.

I said before the Ohio primary that the big question for superdelegates would be, "did Obama peak in February, and go downhill from there?"  Obama got a huge bump from January through March based upon his incredible charisma, his speaking skills, his freshness and, quite frankly, his not being Hillary.  But the real question was always could he maintain it through November, and the test would be can he maintain it through June.  If it was a wave that would peak, superdelegates are obligated to note that, even if it means going against the pledged delegate count.  Why do I say that?  Because the pledged delegate count is no more democratic than superdelegates.  Both are part of the system, and they mutually support each other.