So you know how the presidential primaries are pretty much decided before too long? I know in Indiana (and Kentucky, not mention some other states) that by the time the primaries roll around, the candidates have been all but selected, waiting for the fat lady to sing at the convention (which reminds me, you hardly see the conventions on the networks anymore. Remember back when we only had 4 channels or so in those pre-cable days and the conventions would be on the networks in prime time? Reminds me of an old Family Circus comic strip with the family on vacation, but they're rained in, and one of the conventions is on TV. One of the kids remarks that the TV programs aren't as good where they're at.) So some states decided to move up their primaries to play a bigger part and have some say in the process. And the Democrats realizing that the election is their's to lose decide to do just that by having Michigan's and Florida's delegates voided and excluded from the convention. John Ostrander points out why that isn't a good idea because 1) the primaries were moved up because the people wanted their voice to be heard, and 2) the Republicans aren't penalizing the delegates or votes for those states, and if the Democrats don't want their votes, they'll take them. Plus, wasn't Florida a prime contention in the Presidential election of 2000 (and 1876)?
All that, and the folly of Guiliani's campaign, how pork is ruining the feeble attempts to rebuild post-Katrina (and if Keith Olbermann were reading this would point out the hole that is ground zero in New York even 6+ years later) and more.

And here's something else courtesy of Colleen Doran. It's a way to make the world a little better while you're surfing the net. If you click on this link and click on the purple button, you can provide 1/6 of a bowl of food for animals. She didn't mention it, but if you click on the tabs on the top of the link, you can help other causes such as breast cancer, child health care, the rainforest, literacy, and hunger. Just a few clicks while you're out and about online can help.

If you're like me and you didn't get the benefit book Bill Mantlo: A Life In Comics, you can get it as a free download. Best of all Mantlo will still benefit from the proceeds. Since Wowio uses advertising to offer the downloads, he will still get all of the proceeds from the download. I already signed up with Wowio, so if you haven't, you just enter some information and you can download 3 books a day for free. The other books I downloaded was Sore Thumbs that I was directed to earlier.
Thanks to Colleen Doran for the link.

Fred Hembeck is 55 today. Why not go to his site and find out who else shares his birthday and send your best wishes. But it wouldn't be a good time to complain about the slight delay in the release of his book Nearly Complete Essential Hembeck Archives Omnibus to early March. It will be in our hands soon enough. Oh yes, it will be mine.
Thanks to Gordon for the heads up.

Note: The following post is sponsored.
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I've been hearing about some webcomics that I've checked out and wanted to share with you. Actually, I've blown through their archives and now have to wait to get them doled out one at a time like everyone else now, which is the drawback of discovering anything, there's this wealth of material that you can swim in, and then it goes down to a trickle. Sometimes knowing that's the outcome I'll try to ration the feast of material to better ease into the famine of being all caught up.
Anywho, last week Scott Kurtz plugged Girls With Slingshots on his site, and I found it amusing as well. And Brad Guigar of Evil, Inc. fame plugged The Non-Adventures of Wonderella a weekly strip about a super heroine with enough elements changed to keep the Time Warner lawyers at bay. And one I knew from awhile back but haven't mentioned: Sheldon. These are all worth a look and worthy addition to the strips roll.

Note: The following post is sponsored.
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The BBC is taking another step to tap into the American market by making a deal with My Space TV to show some of their content. It looks like mainly clips and shows that have already been on TV, though. Looks like we'll have to wait for Sci Fi Channel to show new Doctor Who, as they're apparently paying BBC more money to show it than for them to broadcast it on BBC America not too long after they broadcast it in the UK, much like they're doing with season 2 of Torchwood.
And Keller reports on a TiVo development that keeps people from zipping through some commercials that can be circumvented for now, but will lose at least one customer if they get to the point where they make you watch commercials to watch the shows you record.

Diablo Green Consulting (DGC) is a national firm focused on environmental consulting with specific expertise in the areas of Phase 1 Environmental Site assessments, Transaction Screen Processes, NEPA Compliance, Wetland Delineation, Natural and Cultural Resource Management. If your project needs to be completed on time and on budget, allow DGC to help you navigate the often complex and bureaucratic local, state, and federal laws. Our members are familiar with the cities, regions, and municipalities they work in. Working with DGC puts our expertise to work for you.

With these uncertain times facing us many people are wondering what to do with their money. What would be the best bet? One standard of investing has been land investment. Like they say, they aren't making any more of it. And Superman always stops Lex Luthor from manipulating the real estate market in the movies.

Finished up watching Life on Mars from BBC America. Got some answers as to what's going on. As to the US version, since they theoretically want to run more than the original 16 episodes might have to do some twists and turns as to the central mystery (is Sam Tyler a time traveller, in a coma, mad, or something else?) but I'm not sure how long they can keep that up. With the writers strike this might not make it, but it'd be interesting to see Colm Meaney's portrayal of Gene Hunt.
And just in time for season 2 of Torchwood to start up. With the lack of promotion BBC America's doing for this show I dunno what's going to happen to this show. Guess we all better keep watching it.

Note: The following post is sponsored.
In advertising there are many ways to get the word out. One of them is with postcards. The advantages are that there is no need to open an envelope and the postcards sent out compete only with the other material in the mailbox that day for peoples' attention. A lot of times this type of advertisement is used for real estate, but you can use it for other methods of advertising as well. And right now there's a good deal to get these real estate postcards printed up. BizCard is currently offering 75% all of its postcards. The promotion is aimed at real estate professionals, but technically anyone can use it. The promotion means that anyone can get as few as 14 postcard for $1.50 or get 2,000 postcards for less than $80. And they let you upload your own images to use for free.
But this promotion is only until February 29th, so the sooner you take advantage of it, the better. You don't want to start March with "D'oh! I forgot about that sale!" Head on over there and check it out. Who knows, you may find out it's just the promotion that you need.

Well, I just got a few more writing opportunities today that you'll see underneath this if you haven't read them already. It's interesting to get these assignments and look at the different websites and create something from all that. Now if only I could get a job like that for a living I'd be happy.
I'm hoping that the current tottering in the world's events, both economic and otherwise, doesn't end up with us tottering into the abyss. But it's been a long time coming, since about 1981 when open season on the middle class was declared. But they couldn't be eliminated, and money to live on, not to mention the occasional "luxury" like going out to eat or a video game, has to come from somewhere. So the credit cards came and were maxed out, and then the sub-prime lending came about because the rich realized they couldn't sustain themselves by themselves. But it's a teetering mess, and the rich are starting to realize that jumping up and down like Daffy Duck screaming "Down down down! Go go go! Mine mine mine!" isn't going to work this time. Either they'll come up with another shell game or pyramid scheme, or it all comes down. And just when we're starting to have something in the savings account. I wonder if I should pull the money outta there and the PayPal account and stuff it in the mattress. Here, read this post that touches on this topic, among other things. And fire up some Blue Oyster Cult today if you get the chance. I'm listening to "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" 's scrappier, now forgotten cousin "Burnin' For You".

One thing on my to do list is to see about getting some insurance. I need to see about life insurance as well as individual health insurance. With InsureLog.com you can look into different types of insurance. Just enter in your information and they'll offer you different companies and rates to help you decide on the coverage that's right for you.

This time of year is pretty much a down time. The holidays are over, the bills are coming in, the new year's resolutions didn't take, and it's cold. What can you do? One thing is to start fixing up your home or apartment. If you're spending most of your time there, you can keep busy with the work and feel good when it's done. Maybe get something new like one of these key holders or any of the great accessories or furniture that Online Discount Mart offers.

I wish I had known about laptop rental before I got this laptop. There's a lot of times when you need a laptop computer but don't want to go through the expense of buying one, let alone having to comparison shop and try to determine the best brands and models that'll suit your needs. Whatever you need a laptop for, whether you need it for personal or business reasons, ICC Rents can help you out.

A few months back when I was visiting friends, I first saw the magazine Mental Floss at their place. There was plenty to do so I didn't have a chance to check it out. When I saw it at the bookstore afterwards, I glossed through it and decided to buy it. But it wasn't until the other day when I went to their website, which is more than an obligatory online prescence that most companies seem to employ. They have a lot of articles, lists, and quizzes that aren't in the magazine. It's a fun and enjoyable way to spend a few hours online.

My wife likes to make floor plans and think about what kind of home she'd like to have. One room I'd like to dream up is a home theatre room to watch and play DVDs, video games, etc. These home theater sconces have all sorts of seats that really make it an enjoyable experience. And it's not just seating, they offer everything you need to make your home theatre room (or at least where you watch TV) a better source of enjoyment.

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