h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have a friend who had a candle in the image of Thatcher, I mean full length, not a bust. He burned it on the day day she quit

<>

Some of Kerry's comments and actions have been so asinine that they got a *lot* of publicity. He rode a motorcyle onto the stage when we was on the "Tonight Show." Later, he very nearly got lynched by the Democratic Party for saying that he *might* not accept the nomination at the convention.



What has the Democratic Party ever done to deserve such candidates?

The "Doonesbury" comic strip takes great delight in showing Shrub's actual words from some of his speeches. Nice publicity, eh? I have to believe that no intelligent, sane politician would dare to say ridiculous things for fear that they would appear in "Doonesbury." Yet he does, and they do. And Kerry says ridiculous, arrogant things, and lynch parties form.

We're doomed, guys, doomed. Laura Bush and Teresa Heinz, smart though they may be, can't save us from the disaster that beckons at us with bony fingers.

If Bush is to be ousted (and I hope to God that he is), Kerry really has to pull something out of the hat... or the Democrats have to dump him. Either way, the Presidential TV debates are going to be very interesting indeed.

It's kinda weird seeing the procession of Reagan's coffin through Washington in bright sunshine - they're an hour behind us but it's black as night here thanks to the storms. I can hardly see me dinner in front of me face.

Don't worry about the debates, Gosho. John Kerry is a very fine debater. Worry rather about the attack ads, and about Kerry's yuppy qualities . In the 1970s, Kerry won a congressional seat in the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts. Two years later the voters voted him out. Familiarity breeds contempt, as they say. The *big* issue that unseated him was the carpetbagging issue. He didn't live in the district, and may have been slow about moving into it, as if it weren't very important. Later, Paul Tsongas held that seat.

But I'm not sure that anyone should hold that sort of thing against him now. He's had thirty years in which to mature. I hope he's made good use of that time. Apparently, Dubya hasn't.

< at Gosho's comments about Reagan's coffin moving through Washington, D.C. in bright sunlight>

Yep, the Gipper always did look good when the spotlight shone on him. Too bad the lights were on, but no one was home. I feel sad at his death. For the last ten years of his life (and maybe quite a period before), no amount of light would have helped him see life more clearly. I just think that's tragic, and I can't get around it..

I'm not exactly worried about the debates Paul - I don't doubt that Kerry could wipe the floor with Dubya ordinarily, but since 9/11 and Iraq, Dubya just has to keep blathering about 'freedom' and 'democracy' and 'courage' and 'terrorists' the way that he constantly does, and there are enough people out there who will buy it without thinking. Dubya can convinve people with his bluster, his avoidance of absolutes, and his 'deny everything' attitude. When you're in a postition of power and you keep saying the same thing without any direct and tangible evidence that you're wrong, people will believe you. And things seem to be going Dubya's way just now with the acceptance of the UN resolution.

Maybe something will turn up between now and then Perhaps the transition won't go so well.

Man, I'm really beginning to feel sorry for Nancy - they're putting her through the ing ringer everything is taking so long When they were taking the coffin from the library to the hearse, from the hearse to the plane, from the plane to gun carriage, there seemed to be so many unexplained pauses when absolutely nothing was happening. Then there was that interminable walk up the stairs to the rotunda with verse after verse of The Battle Hymn, and the whole time Nancy has to stand and watch She must just want the whole damn thing to end

You're obviously not aware of Elvis Costello's 'Tramp the Dirt Down'
'And when they finally put you in the ground
I'll stand on your grave and tramp the dirt down.'

Him, and most people over 40 I imagine.

Did anyone else notice how crumbly Margaret Thatcher was looking at the funeral? Could it be that she'll be on her way out soon

Oh, I do hope so

Are you sure? You know that TV and radio will be all-Thatcher all the time for at least a week - that's what's happened here since Reagan died.

Even in death she 'goes on and on'....

Are you sure Gosho - maybe too many people that opposed her are prominent in the media for her to die uncriticised?

It doesn't really matter what the TV puts on after Thatcher dies, as I won't be watching - I'll be partying instead

"Man, I'm really beginning to feel sorry for Nancy - they're putting her through the ing ringer"

Sorry to disagree, but she is basking in the attention.

The way she shouldered out Ronnie's adopted son from his first marriage, that was not the act of a grieving widow.

I bet Nancy will not live long. She did live for Ronnie ( not the kids)and like so many couples she may follow soon.

I do hope she gets her wish to open up stem cell research. Forget adding more memorials, we already have 100's to Ronnie. Putting his face on Mt Rushmore or money would not be fitting when they are asking for a stem cell bill in his name. That would be a major legacy and one that would benifit millions and possibly prevent as many for generations to avoid the suffering they both went through with his disease.

It can change the face of medicine and relieve the worst of sufferings. It would be the greatest gift.

I'd like to be able to say that the stem cell thing is going to put Dubya on the spot, but I don't think it will. Reagan was the 'Teflon President', Clinton was too, but Dubya is in a different league. I heard Laura saying something about yesterday, I think she mentioned trying to strike a balance between what's needed and what's right... I must admit that I should have been paying more attention.

Although the idea of stem cell research goes so much against Dubya's (and the far right's, whose views he epitomises) anti abortion views, I doubt that Reagan's death is going to sway any of their opinions re. harvesting stem cells from foetuses. And six months from now everyone will have forgotten about the whole thing.

I thought stem cells came from the umbilical cord attached to placentas, not foetuses.

You may know more about it than me in that case GB What might there be about it that irks the anti-abortionists and the Bushes if that's so?