The Tedder P. Schoenhopfer Policy Exchange

This New York times article talks about a new trend in campaign advertising of funny ads mocking negative campaigning or the candidates themselves. It’s really entertaining and I love this sort of humor. I also find fascinating the idea that campaign ads are responding to the spread of homemade humorous video clips on the internet.

54 years ago today in Oslo, Minnesota, two very young people married.  And look what happened!

Susan,

How do I find the specifics of the law about my security deposit and my commercial lease? Everyone I know (all the free lawyers ) know about residential leases but not commercial. My old landlord didn’t pay me the security deposit or send a letter or anything. Maybe you better move to Wisconsin and get licensed here. It’s a lot like New York.

I’m watching last night’s Daily Show right now, and John Ashcroft is the guest, and it’s super interesting. Jon Stewart definitely leans left, although I think he’s more centrist than most lefty-Democrats like to think. (Unsurprisingly, his audience is often super lefty and has occasionally been annoying - like once Jon Stewart was interviewing this right-wing Christian anti-gay marriage guy, and the audience kept clapping after everything Jon Stewart said, and it was really distracting.) Anyway, I’ve always loved JS,* but I now have even more of a newfound respect. He’s asking Ashcroft all these serious questions, but in a genuinely respectful way, even though it’s obvious that he disagrees with everything Ashcroft stands for. It’s really great because he’s allowing Ashcroft to look really good - it makes you long for civility and honest debate.

OK, I have to admit Ashcroft just made a really witty comment. JS put him in the “Seat of Heat,” which is the segment where they supposedly ask really tough questions. And he said, “Ashcroft, I’ll make you a wager. OK, you’re from Missouri, and I’m from New York. If the St Louis Cardinals win tonight, I’ll give you a free Daily Show t-shirt; but if the NY Mets win tonight, then I get to go to heaven.” And everyone laughed, and then Ashcroft made some comment about how his preacher dad used to say “I’m in sales, not management”; but then he said, “how about this, you can move to St Louis, and you’ll think you were in heaven.”

Anyway, it’s a rare person who can get me to smile fondly at John Ashcroft. And that is why Jon Stewart is the genius of our time.

* I don’t actually call him JS, or know anyone who does, but it’s easier than writing out “Jon Stewart” over and over again.

Last night I accompanied Kyle and 4 of his friends to his second motocross race. His first race was 2 weeks ago. The races are just like dog shows: Some people have huge fancy rigs and know the drill and others (us) have a minivan and a friend bringing the bike.

Kyle has YZ 125, which is the second biggest type of motorcycle. He glued his own numbers on, so it looks a little homemade, but it seems like a good racing bike. He has all of the protective gear, which is almost more expensive than the bike.

So anyway last night we drove 2 hours north to Chilton, WI., where the race was held. It was dark, cold and a little rainy. We did not bring lights so we held flashlights and used the headlights to get ready. I drove 3 people, and another friend drove a van with 3 bikes and another person. We arrived after I got lost twice, just in time for open practice. The track is always a winding, serpentiny hilly course. This track has sharp banked curves which are famous for dirty tricks. Spectators perch on bleachers all around the track.

In his first race (2 weeks ago) he won 30th out of 41, and this time he got 19th out of 30. Both times he stalled the bike at the start, which secretly made me happy because he wasn’t a part of the scary first turn, where there is often a crash. His friends race in a different class and all placed, and one won.

I got lost twice on the way home, too, and got home at 2 in the morning. The kid driving the van made it home in record time but he was speeding and I chose not to try to follow him, Later, I wondered how I thought a 16 year old champion motocross racer would drive a van.

We were strolling around Leicester Square when we saw an ad for the current movie “The Departed”. But this part is spooky. Look at the photo. Leonardo DiCaprio on the left. Look closely. Isn’t there a strong resemblance to Evan?

Now look at Matt Damon on the right. Isn’t there a strong resemblance to Marshall?

Spooky. Fortunately I have no resemblance to Jack Nicholson, lurking in the background.

We are very cool people, mostly by virtue of our hotel location - Leicester Square in London. Right now it is mobbed with people doing the Friday night thing. Will Ferrell showed up as well. Anyway, here is a photo from right outside our hotel. It’s a little hard to see because it is 8:30pm here in London. But take my word for it, the place is packed with merry-makers.

It’s Randy Munroe’s birthday today. Happy birthday Randy!!

Auntie Sue called me from St Louis to tell me that her lab, Barbie won high in trial at the National Lab specialty there. She entered six things and won four of them. Congratulations Suzy. This is a great accomplishment. She will have to tell more about it when she gets home.

So, I make the tuna-broccoli-mac & cheese relatively often, and I’m trying to remember what other staples we ate when growing up (fish or vegetarian). Does anyone have any suggestions for quick, easy dinner recipes? I also have veggie chicken nuggets or veggie burgers often, but I’m looking for other ideas.

I have a few other easy things I’ve made a few times, like frittatas and stir-fries, but I just don’t love them as much. Ideas?

My other question is: any advice on which photo-sharing websites are best? I want to set one up so everyone can upload their pictures from Arastu’s surprise party.

Scroll down until you get to a bald-headed guy named “Gregor Wynnyczuk” and read the paragraph.

http://www.capitalrep.org/season/cast.html

I was just googling our ancestor, Judge Charles L. Crum, and came across the New York Times article about his exoneration. But I also found this – Susan, what does it mean?

Unbelievable. Fox News stated three times that Mark Foley is a Democrat. Apparently they’ve now fixed it, but you can watch the clips here. What do you think? Could this possibly be a mistake (especially given the prominence of other House Republicans in the story) or is Fox News just a bunch of blatant liars?