Curmudgeon Potpourri

We're just about in Holiday mode, as the kids wrap up school and the Curmudgeon wraps up presents. Here's some thoughts on today's news:

• The FCC voted, along party lines, for a rule that would trump local governments in their negotiations with phone companies over new cable television services (the Republican reps voted for the new rule). Sure lets you know where the GOP is when it comes to big business versus local government rule. Next time someone tells you the Dems are the party of "big government" point them to this little tidbit.

• Senator Warner is considering whether to run for a sixth term in 2008, when he'll be 81 years old. Evidently, he's concerned that the Old Dominion is starting to tilt Democratic. We like Senator Warner for his independence (which is not to say we wouldn't support a decent Democratic challenger). We doubt he'd lose. But, we hope he'll retire--he's spry now, but a lot can happen in six year when you're 81. We don't need a Strom Thurmond. Go out on a high note Sen. Warner!

• Metro has gotten the greenlight to issue $15 million in renewable energy bonds to fund installation of solar panels on a six of its buildings in Maryland and Virginia. Bravo!

• The Washington Post reports that the D.C. region is steadily moving south, climatewise. Today, in terms of plants that will thrive here, we're where North Carolina was about 15 years ago. Will we get to Florida in the next 30 years? And if so, will the Atlantic Ocean be lapping at the aptly named tidal basin?

• Researchers report that obesity may be linked to certain bacteria in the gut. Interesting theory--not really new and still not proven to be the cause of our current epidemic (no one has shown that humans somehow have a different mix of these gut bacteria than 30 years ago.) We think the problem is still the same: many people eat far more than they should, abetted by a greedy food and restaurant industry that has made us think a normal portion is twice what it was 30 years ago.

• George Bush says "we" need to make "additional sacrifices" for the war in Iraq. What do you mean "we" kemosabe? The only people making sacrifices right now are the soldiers stationed in Iraq, and their families. In the GOP, Wall Streeters are spending their record bonus checks and the entire country is obsessing over Britney, Paris and Lindsey. How 'bout it's time to make "sacrifices" period. Maybe it's time for the Republicans who still support this abomination to pay for it.

• Add to our list of things that make it hard to give up swearing: driving in Tysons Corner during the Holiday season. Oy vey!