Yeah, it's not like a rock star is going to join the Mormon church or anything. Except for an ex-New York Doll bass player.

and look where it got him.

I had never heard of Huckabee until last week or so, when he made a fool of himself in his reactions on the assasination of Benazir Bhutto. It was astonishing to read how clueless he seemed on current international affairs/politics. Thank GOD he doesn't stand a chance of winning.

You and I both know that Al Gore wasn't envolved in either of those.

1. In August 1985, 19 record companies agreed to put "Parental Guidance: Explicit Lyrics" labels on albums to warn of explicit lyrical content. However, before the labels could be put into place, the Senate agreed to hold a hearing on so-called "porn rock". This began on 19 September 1985, when representatives from the PMRC, three musicians, and Senators Paula Hawkins and Al Gore testified before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on "the subject of the content of certain sound recordings and suggestions that recording packages be labeled to provide a warning to prospective purchasers of sexually explicit or other potentially offensive content."
2. Al Gore visits South Park Elementary and talks about the terrible ManBearPig, who roams the Earth and attacks humans. According to Al Gore, ManBearPig is "half man, half bear, half pig".

you can't handle the truth!!

1. Putting the sticker on an album actually increases a record's sales.
2. South Park is full of shit.

Whether that's true or not, it doesn't change the fact that the whole concept was and is a crock of shit.

As a former Iowan, I've participated in Iowa's caucuses. Let me tell you from experience they are surrealistically Byzantine and... well, just strange. Like a big choosing-sides part of PE dodge ball class. Usually held in high school gyms, too, which only adds to this charged atmosphere.

The unfortunate thing, I think, is that it's also rather elitist, in that it's mostly activists and not the ordinary voter who participates, those who are really "into politics" for whatever reason, news junkies, and the like. So the whole thing is strange, as I say.

I went because I felt guilty if I didn't but I have to say I'm much more comfortable simply going to the booth in a primary election.

It's not really "elitist" if the reason the "ordinary voter" doesn't show up is simply because s/he can't be bothered to show up. No one is keeping anybody out, are they?
And what's wrong with keeping out the rubes, really? The "average voter" is generally a lazy moron with a barely cursory knowledge of the issues and candidates anyway.

True. I know what you're saying. And I feel/felt that way too most of the time. This is the process, so participate, and so on. At the same time, especially in places like Iowa City (college towns) which have a healthy share of intelligensia committed to the study of politics and law and the like, it's easy for the "average" voter to feel intimidated about participating in such open processes. I certainly sensed that when I lived in Iowa City. While the effect may or may not be intentional, I know a large segment of the voting population felt alienated because of the dominance of "smarter than us" activists and the like.

And there's this other effect--the average voter respecting the "intelligent" activist to make the choice for them--sort of an attitude of, well, they must be better informed, so I'll stay out of it and let them make the best decision for me. It just often seemed not very democratic to me.

I suppose so if you only pay attention to the delusional imagery and ignore voting record & policies.

I think it is sort of insane that Iowa has so much power.

Iowans, support this guy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsv4Q44dtCs
he is comedy gold, watch his other videos

I would vote for Jello if he was running .. and if I was American hehe

Didn't Zappa claim the whole PMRC thing was a shakedown for the blank tape tax? Which would mean that we can blame the husbands.

Well Obama won, now what? Is Hillary out?

here is the speech if anyone is interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqoFwZUp5vc

Mike Huckabee looks like Nixon. A sign?

I think Watergate gives half prices to Republicans.

Conspiracy alert! Don't start your car for the next coupla days.