(1) It's not going away, so I'm publishing my Good Idea here. I've been using it in comments at various sites. My Good Idea is this: just when two Major countries (populations > 1 billion, each) are getting up developmental momentum, why don't we start a movement to burn Food for Fuel? And not just any food, like fois gras — let's burn crop staples for fuel!

Think of the upsides! (a) We save fossil fuels, which are far more efficient, and can leave them in the ground where they can't hurt anybody. (b) Food prices skyrocket across the board! (c) The population sickens and begins to die off, and it's not because of global warming! Hooray!

And those are the upsides.

(2) Every day, I see one or two or three acerbic and funny posts to make regarding the current presidential contest, but fundamentally it has had this effect on me: 3 Senators running for POTUS can have no good outcome, for myself, personally. At least, not these 3. When I vote, I will likely toss a coin, or vote Libertarian (if those knuckleheads can ever give up the "legalize drugs" thing; it's So-o childish!).

BUT — I now have an appreciation for, and more time to contemplate, the longer-lasting facets of my life. Longer-lasting than presidential contests, or political strife: God, and family, and mathematics, and music (especially jazz).

So — maybe it's a good thing, on a "micro" scale.

Sure is funny stuff, though. Try following the presidential contest for more than a few hours without laughing. It's like trying to eat one Lays Potato Chip.

;o/