Generally, I don't believe in poll numbers. But I think it's significant that in this one "[f]ifty-seven percent of registered voters say going to war with Iraq has not made America safer from terrorism and 58 percent say they are not satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S." That represents almost two-thirds of voters. If I were in the Bush camp (perish the thought), I'd be concerned.

But even more telling is the upward shift over a three week period of time that indicates Kerry's "electability" is no longer in question. More people believe Kerry is "more likely to win in November" than Bush -- by one percentage point. But Kerry shot up six points from where he was in the last poll query to overtake Bush. It only takes one to beat 'em.

I'm back. Too much going on in the world to stay away any longer. Besides, I can blog while Kevin rests - which means I should have plenty of time to blog. More doctor visits Monday and Tuesday but then I'm heading back to work (albeit from home) for the next week or two. But as he says, he gets a little stronger every day. And for that we're mighty grateful.

Kevin's home. I'm just going to leave it at that for now. Can't find the words to express how we feel. Being home is an amazing thing that neither of us will take for granted ever again.

I had thought this week that I'd be distracted from everything else except the Democratic National Convention in Boston. Well, I got the distracted part right.

Even with all that's going on, I won't be able to completely ignore what's happening at the Fleet Center. But there'll be plenty of blogs to read, according to this article.

Each day Kevin gets a little better so we're just trying to take it one small step at a time. Which is not a natural thing for either one of us. When it gets too hard, I just think of the possible alternatives and it suddenly gets easier.

For the first time in the almost two years since I started this blog, I'm not going to apologize for missing a few days. My husband Kevin suffered two heart attacks Wednesday night into Thursday morning -- first a minor one, then a major one during a stent procedure to stop the first one.

It took about 24 hours for him to stabliize and yesterday he was in an operating room undergoing triple bypass surgery. He's 44 with no personal or family history of heart problems at such a young age. I don't write much about the daily happenings in my life here -- only when it's relevant to my outrage over something. Which is what will continue when this crisis is over. But the next few weeks are going to be unlike any we've ever had. I don't know yet if blogging will help me through it -- or become one more chore for me. I'm hoping the former because god knows the fodder for outrage is alive and well. I'm just not going to be paying as much attention to it for the immediate future.

Hmmm. Last week the media was all abuzz with the Most Liberal Senators nonsense. It's nonsense only because despite the clamor, the ratings were released back in February and were so skewed as to be meaningless. Something every GOP operative knows.

Now along comes the Sandy Berger story - an "investigation" that was conducted in October 2003 - that's nine months ago in case you're counting -- "leaked" just days before the 9/11 report comes out. Anybody see a pattern here?

But what has me most outraged? That that icon of GOP virtue Tom DeLay has the gall to open his mouth here. Truly outrageous.

How much more proof does anyone need that Nader's Folly is all about Ralph's ego and his desperate need to punish the Democratic Party for not treating him with the respect he feels he so richly deserves?

In my family, this is the the 35th anniversary of the day my father insisted I stop playing and come inside and watch the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Without interrupting what I was doing, I told him I didn't want to. He asked me why and I said "it's boring." He wasn't angry - but I was all of seven and I recall the look of absolute bewilderment on his face that a child of his could so easily turn her back on history. Through the years, he has reminded (chided) me about it. My dad turned 75 on Sunday - he'll let me live it done someday. But then again, probably not. Love you, dad. And no, I no longer think such things are boring.

Don't make me hurt the next person who claims "John Kerry was the most liberal Senator in 2003." Not that there's anything wrong with being liberal. In fact, it's why I support him. But the blatant dishonesty with which this statistic is being bandied about now (the ratings were originally released back in February) drives me crazy. Why is it considered so shameful to be liberal? Our version of the Scarlett Letter -- instead of an "A" we'll have to wear a big "L" like Laverne used to wear on Laverne & Shirley.

Here's M-W's definition of liberalism:
"a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity b : a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard c : a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties"

Here's a definition of conservatism, same source:
"disposition in politics to preserve what is established b : a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change"

Call me crazy. I'll take a little of both in moderation but there's nothing inherently bad about being liberal - in fact, no conservative system can sustain itself for any length of time. Change is part of growth - without it, you die. My outrage here is over the lack of respect politicians have for the American public. They can say whatever they want because they believe people will just accept whatever they're told (unfortunately they're too often right) but I'm hoping this election proves that theory wrong.

The ratings in question are done every year by the National Journal and are comprised of a small snapshot taken in three areas: social, foreign and economic policy votes. Due to Kerry's campaign schedule, he missed a lot of votes and only qualified for a rating in the economic category. But don't get me wrong - I'm glad the person I'm supporting in November doesn't side often -- some years, ever -- with the conservatives in the Senate. It's a good thing, as Martha used to say. Here's the best overview of how Senators measured up last year.

Why is everyone so upset that Arnold Schwarzennegger called those who don't agree with him in the California State Legislature a bunch of "girlie-men?" This isn't an anti-gay thing. It's an actor-thing. This is a line for one of his forgettable movies -- which is why I can't remember which one. So why is everyone so surprised. He's been reading from a script from the beginning of this whole thing. Just one more reason why actors should never be elected to public office. (I might make an exception for Gopher from the Love Boat. Just because.)

Ain't technology grand? Maybe the folks at Los Alamos can take a lesson from Mexico's Judicial Workers and a few others to boot, who had chip implants, according to the article. I can't wait to see I, Robot, can you?

If this place isn't home to the Gang Who Couldn't Shoot Straight I don't know what is. Despite the other stuff that goes on there, keeping track of classified material is not rocket science. Maybe we could spend more time this campaign talking about this sort of stuff? Crazy talk, I know.

Hmmm. I think GOP Senator Rick Santorum needs to see a therapist to work out his obvious terror that he is, in fact, gay himself. Or maybe it's the fact that he is so obviously traumatized by the fact that his last name is now also the definition of a by-product of anal sex.

Okay, okay, I know that's not true. He was already a rabid homophobe WAY before Dan Savage (skip to the bottom -- no pun intended) coined the definition and the word spread -- again, no pun intended.

Now apparently the Australian's get it -- speak out against Bush and Big Business/Brother will squash you like a bug (see the third sentence from the bottom of this article). Dixie Chicks, Howard Stern, Whoopi Goldberg...all have their livelihoods threatened by rabid Bushwhackers.

What baffles me is that there is even a contest here in November. How does Bush talk about values with a straight face? And why do so many Americans who refuse to see what the Australians see quite clearly -- that we are at war -- not with terrorists. With a group of conservative Republicans who think they should be able to control everything that people do, say and think.

So Goldberg loses her job with Slim-Fast, based on a joke she made about Bush. The world truly has gone mad. Does the Republican Party have NO sense of its own hypocrisy? And it's constant "f-you" to the basic principles of freedom of expression. Or is this the sign of an organization that isn't used to taking it on the chin -- in the same way they dish it out? They sound like a bunch of grade school crybabies. Go Whoopi.

These things don't just happen. We don't wake up one day and hear that the U.S. Department of Justice is exploring options for legally postponing our four year visit to the presidential polls. At least I pray to god we don't.

So here's how all of this came about. The chairman of the formerly obscure US Election Commission wonders some time ago about what plans are in place if a catastrophe forced the postponement of elections. If I understand it correctly, that's this guys job. So he sends a friendly little memo to his pals over at DHS hoping they can help him out. DHS, however, despite a myriad of options, chooses to ignore said letter.

So guess who our formerly unknown chairman talks to next? Why, it's that pesky liberal rag, the Washington Post. And any reporter worth her salt, picks up the phone and calls the folks over at DHS to say, hey what about this? And then the real circus begins. All of which just goes to show you - there's no sillier time of year than the four months preceding a presidential election. It HAS to be that -- because the alternative theories are too terrifying for me to contemplate.

Life is cruel.

I start a full time job on Monday (which is a very good thing.) But I arrive home yesterday to find a letter from the Democratic National Convention informing me that, as a blogger, I have been credentialed for the "perimeter." Which basically means I'm allowed around the convention, but not in the convention (FleetCenter, to be exact.) I know all about heightened security and terrorist threats, but perimeter? Are we still in the United States of America?

Anyway - my joy at being granted any credentials - which was really more shock and bewilderment considering I have a loyal, disturbed - yet very small readership - was replaced by outrage today when the United State Postal Service delivered a SECOND letter from the DNC. This one informed me that the first letter was sent but -- get this -- was "not properly authorized by the DNCC." How is that possible?

Folks, having served on two previous Democratic campaign staffs - Mondale/Ferraro and Dukakis/Bentsen - this is not a good sign that the ship is being captained properly. Hopefully this was just an unwitting mistake and not the tip of the iceberg when it comes to convention logistics.

Funny thing is there is no way in hell I was ever making it to Boston -- unless of course the job didn't come through and I was without paycheck. Now I'm sorely tempted to show up and set up my own little OUTRAGE booth. Outside the perimeter of course. Don't want to risk jail time for being a subversive though. Or do I?

Some of the iterations of a NYPost front page on Fark.com are hilarious - right now the rat's ass version is my favorite. But it can never top my NYPost headline favorite of all time: Headless Body Found In Topless Bar. True story. You can't make this stuff up.

I'm not irrational, despite some momentary lapses. But how is it possible that the House GOP Defends Patriot Act Powers ? For the life of me I cannot understand how filing through library records will combat terrorism. First of all, how many people will it take to analyze all of that information Big Brother Bush is privy to? The Patriot Act is not a bad law -- it's an imprecise law -- and that's the most dangerous kind there is.

I don't know what the hell Bush II was bitching about judicial obstruction while in NC and Michigan yesterday. He's getting exactly what he wants - courtesy of Tom Daschle and other Democrats.

And while in the long run it might have been a smart political move for Dems, there's still the issue of how much can one really swallow before throwing up?

Despite the outrage expressed by a few Senators, one Controversial Nominee made it through in a 51 to 46 vote this week. For more information about J. Leon Holmes here's one take on his record; here's the opposite view.

There were several good questions asked in today's White House Briefing on washingtonpost.com. Whose Veep Is Fitter? started it. But about three quarters of the way down is a question asked often in my house while growing up in response to most major announcements or special events. It would inevitably come down to the question that to this day I use as a measure. Is It Good for the Jews, El? my dad would say.

Just when you thought this nonsense would go away, they pull you back in. (Said with gritted teeth and the arm gesture used by Al Pacino in one of the Godfather movies.)

Is it just me or can you just see and hear the pathetic, whiny frat boy retorts as Bush Questions Edwards's Qualifications.

I'm just glad he didn't pick Dick. Gephardt that is. That way we'd have two Dick's in the number 2 slot, as opposed to two John's in the number 1 spot. Potty humor, get it? Maybe I have been listening to Stern too much.

My friend Rob snagged me a NY Post this morning proclaiming Gephardt as the one, er I mean two man. Edwards is the logical choice -- was number 2 in the primaries so it fits he's the number 2 guy now. Again, the system somehow works. The Star Tribune editorial sums up my feelings: it's about balance.

This is what I'm saying. Timing is everything - and the double whammy of Moore and Stern could have a significant impact.

Please forgive the error messages. outrage.com is alive and well - despite Blogger's apparent ongoing server issues. Usually on every fourth refresh I get through. One more reason to move to my own server...

I love this kind of reporting. Who can prove it's wrong? So CNN gets out in front with a story about Kerry's Veep decision that may or may not be true. And there's nothing to be done about it. Kerry can't respond -- if he has decided, he'll look foolish for not revealing it. And he can't lie about it. And if he hasn't made up his mind, he'll look foolish and indecisive. So why doesn't he just go ahead and announce it already. Let's move on.

It's my mom and dad's 46th wedding anniversary today. I'm usually down in NoVa for the 4th of July and extend the holiday to do something fun with my parents on their anniversary but I couldn't swing it this year. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Jim Mullen won't be writing the Hot Sheet anymore for Entertainmnet Weekly magazine. I think that's too bad though it's clear my opinion isn't universally shared. Particularly in this blog offering a page-by-page critique of EW, with a special venom reserved for the Hot Sheet. I think blogger Mark Ramsey might actually be funnier than the EW columnists.

But I'll give Mullen's replacement -- the guy who writes What to Watch -- a chance. He can be funny too. But he's no Jim Mullen.

A very balanced story from beliefnet.com concerning, get this, the GOP 'Catholic Outreach Tour.' I love the fact that last night's meeting in Minnesota was held in a bar, not a church. Good to know.

Nader tries to cheat his way onto the ballot in Arizona. And Democrats don't "have much of a sense of fair play." Helllo?

But then it gets worse. The signatures are challenged, Nader doesn't contest the challenge (which is a concession, right?) and then accuses John Kerry of "dirty politics." But what outrages me most is that Nader's "spokesman" threatens -- threatens -- John Kerry. This has NOTHING to do with issues -- it's a sickness. And Ralph Nader ought to check himself into the nearest psych ward and work out whatever issues he needs to get healthy. I'm not kidding.

I'm not really outraged that Bush II has a cat named India, though it appears a few Indians are. But I have to ask: wouldn't the name Spike be more appealling to NASCAR Dads?

How great is The Nation columnist's description of Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 - and I quote "funny, heartbreaking, outraged and outrageous."

I'm all for her suggestion: go see the movie, then mail your ticket stub to the White House. It wouldn't hurt to write "I'm outraged" somewhere on the stub. It'll fit. Trust me.

The New York Times covers the unveiling of a 9/11 memorial design in Newark titled "Empty Sky." How is that no one -- at least no one I could find googling -- mentioned Jersey boy Springsteen's anthem "Empty Sky," which is the song that somehow conveyed how I (and a lot of other people) felt after 9/11. Newspaper of record? Bah. I don't expect anything from AP but good gawd that's just sloppy journalism. Not to mention an insult to Bruce.

I'll keep looking...