an 'official' endorsement

Perhaps you heard about Pat Robertson—Conservative Evangelical endorses potential President of 9/11.

Perhaps you heard that Ron Paul had the largest single-day fundraiser EVER. Or maybe you only heard about Rudy.

Well, Modern Machiavelli’s handlers may be pulling the media pretty hard, and the media may not be fighting them, but here’s hoping that the only honest candidate in the primary races manages- through some odd chance of fate and Providence- to garner the nomination in ’08.

note: I take back what I said about Paul as the only honest candidate. I forgot about Kucinich, who despite his lunacy is at least very genuine about it.

at the altar of the olympians

What say you, oh Homer?
Is the Orator speaking from his well-worn grave?

For once there was an age
when the deeds of man spanned the heavens
and the works of women won them immortality
when a strong man would crush an empire
and a pure love would shatter that strength.

But this time has long since passed
centuries have left us with a dormant strain
stories—written in languages long dead.
The oldest of men remember them but vaguely as dreams.

What, then, am I to do when
in this, the dusk of Man
I am suddenly met by a society of legend?
These days have brought me near
the offspring of the gods;

The venerable Son of Apollo
Who brings truth, healing, and plague.

The twin daughters of the goddess Athena
whose wisdom and prophecy guide man, nation, legend.

The humorous son of Hermes
who tells stories with the truth of a double-edged sword.

The purest daughter of Aphrodite
winged sprite whose youth and light heart rejuvenate the weary.

A Legion of the Sky—those whose subtle burning will not fade.
a Legion in strength and stature, though not in number.

The sum of this Beauty overwhelms me.

But where does that leave me?

Am I Icarus, venturing too close to the sun?
Or Prometheus, seizing a spark of life
only to be cast into judgment?

Oh, Author of Eternal Legend
I thank you for the grace of beauty you have given me,
but too much good leads me to worry

Let not this harmony decay
nor allow me to descend into irony.
I am not yet worthy of these blessings.
But as I stand in my sodden state I beg
Take these not away from me
teach me to be a man of legend
worthy to share the ground with those
that you have placed surrounding me.

Opening Predictions...

The only Republican ticket that stands a chance is Thompson-Gingrich. These men are far enough away from the party to revitalize the base, while Thompson's attitude may appeal to voters. And then Gingrich's first name is newt. I'm betting they'll pick Giuliani-Thompson, only to get trounced by voters who are sick of being forced into fear by our leaders.

Silver bullet for the D's: Obama-Richardson. Provided they can capture the interest of their own party in the primary, they would have an unstoppable draw on independents and minorities that would produce the first electoral mandate since 1988. Cosmopolitan, midwestern (black) Senator with NRA-endorsed, southwestern (hispanic) governor takes urban and rural areas, drawing all minorities out in droves while maintaining (expanding?) the democratic base.

Unfortunately, if Obama's popularity with the youth doesn't save the day, middle-aged dems with a proven penchant for self-destruction will flock to Ms. Clinton, resulting in yet another gag-me-with-a-spoon race to see who's least repulsive.