Catharsis
My session today was ok, I think it helped me deal with some issues, but I still don't know how to rectify them.

Congratulations to all of you who called and emailed you members about voting against the FMA. It couldn't even get a simple majority, let alone the 60 it would take to put it to a direct vote on the Senate floor. Obviously, thank you to all of the Republicans who crossed the leadership and voted with the Democrats.
The Ditka thing is actually possible. This doesn't shock me, as after Ditka the only viable candidate is Jim Oberweis who finished second in the Republican primary while running an anti-immigrant platform, which played terribly, because it showed him to be a hate monger and demagogue. I think Ditka would be a disaster for the party here, as his politics seem very far out on the right. Republicans win here by attracting moderates. Ditka won't be able to do that all that well, and Obama will beat him, but at least it doesn't "cost" anyone in the party organization politically if an outsider runs and gets beat.
Speaking of Obama, he will be delivering the keynote address at the Democratic Convention later this month. This really could make him a huge star if he plays this right and delivers a great speech. A Cuomo like moment would not only assure him of winning here, but frankly put him on the fast track towards a brighter future, like a spot on a ticket in 2012. 2008, if Kerry loses, would probably be too early, but he does have an extremely bright future ahead of him.

The Shaq thing also happened today. Personally, this is more like Wilt going to the Lakers than Kareem going there, two comparisons that have been made often. Wilt was nearing the end of his career, as Shaq is. Still, he makes Miami an absolutely huge force to be reckoned with next year, especially if they are able to go out and get someone to fill some of the slots vacated by the guys traded for him. I am also getting the funny feeling that Kobe might sign with the Clippers.

Watched the ASG last night. It was amazing to see Ali, as it always is, particularly when he sprang to life as he did, with the Ali shuffle and playing with Jeter and A-Rod. Bob Feller made some idiotic comments about how Ali was a traitor to his country because he refused induction, you know, more than 30 years ago,but he's basically a sad old man at this point. The game itself was disappointing, though I do find the allusions to Bull Durham, with regards to the Piazza/Clemens battery, to be interesting. Carlos Guillen was the only All-Star who didn't play, and I'm not that surprised because Torre took 4 Shortstops and played Jeter for like 5 innings, meaning that Young, Tejada and Guillen would be splitting the final four, which meant two would just get an inning apiece. Guillen didn't sound bitter, and I wouldn't expect him to, though he can get revenge starting Thursday, when the Tigers and Yankees start a series.