In light of recent acrimony, let's take a moment to remember William J. Clinton as we once knew him: a beneficent huckster.

I'm ready to commit to "the Indian."

Burn to Shine

Don't light a match in my bedroom in the morning. I might explode.
I have a homemade blanket that is big and heavy and comfy and warm. My Mom made this blanket out of ordinary yarn. Yet, when I tucked myself in last night, the static electricity contained within the blanket was so abundant that I could see sharp silver flashes as it moved and crackled. I wondered where all of this energy had come from. I imagine now that while I sleep, my blanket steals my body's electrons slowly, one by one, as night turns into day. By dawn, this theft is so complete that when I first begin to wake, I am composed entirely of hydrogen. I regain my heavier elements gradually, just as I lost them. But, I think I should stay away from open flame.

Doctor Atomic

I didn't love it. But, there are astounding moments when it was everything you could want great art to be: beautiful, poignant, inspiring, frightening, illuminating, etc.

Also, if you happen to be in the Washington D.C. area in early February, you might want to take in this old gem. It purports to be the world premiere of "Wisconsin Death Trip," which I guess is technically true since this will be the first time this show will be performed under that title. But, I remember distinctly being in the original world premiere in 1996 when it was called "Still River."

Below you will find the 2007 Album of the Year podcast.
Below that you will find the ordered list it is based on. But, if you're going to listen to the podcast why spoil the surprises by looking at the list?

















Run time: 54:10
There are a couple of electronic glitches in the recording, but I don't think they obscure anything.


The List:

10)The White Stripes
     Icky Thump

9) Grinderman
    Grinderman

8) Wilco
    Sky Blue Sky

7) Aesop Rock
    None Shall Pass

6) Arcade Fire
    Neon Bible

5) Little Brother
    The Getback

4) Modest Mouse
    We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

3) Beirut
    The Flying Club Cup

2) Radiohead
    In Rainbows

1) Low
    Drums and Guns

I Might Be Wrong

Here is why Barack Obama will win the Iowa Democratic Caucuses tonight.

The latest polling data shows Obama with a slight lead. Particularly of note is the Des Moines Register's well respected Iowa Poll which on Sunday showed a 7% (just outside the margin of error) point lead. More telling however, are two facts this poll elucidates about the voters themselves. First, among likely Democratic caucusers the issue of "electability" is a low priority. Second, many more independents have expressed an intention to caucus on the Democratic side. Independents seem to overwhelmingly favor Obama over his opponents.

Lastly, I would not entirely dismiss the potential impact of the Kucinich endorsement. If Iowans planning to caucus for Biden and Dodd also move their support toward Obama and Edwards, they could tip the scales in what is likely to be a very close election.

As far as the Republican Caucus, Huckabee seems to be holding his lead over Romney. But, I would not be surprised to see Romney pull out a narrow victory tonight. If Huckabee does not win tonight, I think he's basically done. He'll still win South Carolina, but it won't matter much.