The tireless heroes over at Firedoglake continue to hound the pathetic, petulant child posing as the senior senator from Connecticut. What a sad figure. He's rolled over for the GOP so many times he couldn't have remained a Democrat even if he'd gotten the votes to prove it. Now he's just running on empty (or stalking his ex-constituents, as the Daily Show's Samantha Bee called it), a big over-inflated ego sputtering his way into insignificance. It's the screeching noise he's making as he goes that really gets on my nerves.

The question being asked of the de-facto Republican candidate is simple: "What did you get for it, Joe?" I mean, what did they offer you in return for unequivocally backing the Bush administration, cheering when it came time to invade Iraq and remaining in deceptive denial when things went downhill or setting up a torture shop in Gitmo? You were so eager to help out when they wanted to lie about 9/11, you clapped your hands like a good little boy when Kindasleazy Rice got the nod as Secretary of State. You headed the confirmation hearing for "heckuva job" Brownie to lead FEMA; that lasted all of 42 minutes, and consisted largely of a good ol' boys pat on the shoulder. Not much background checking there, Joe. Didn't you think the victims of natural disasters like Katrina deserved better than whatever random, incompetent hack the Administration wanted to hire?

Add to that your vote for rapid neo-con Alito to the Supreme Court, your record of otherwise not showing up for votes that count, and your memorable "short ride" declaration of compassion for rape victims and it's quite clear what the voters of CT and the rest of the country got in you: bubkes. But what did you get, Joe? Some shiny toy for your retirement?

Ned Lamont has taken a clear stance on Iraq, he has some vision for moving ahead on health care and he seems to "get it" and be geniunely likeable and sincere. Joe? Not so much.

With the same conflicted sense of repulsion and curiosity reserved for The State of the Union speeches and roller coaster rides I'm looking forward to watching the movie "Jesus Camp" when it comes to our neck of the woods sometime soon (I hope).

As a die-hard, un-repentant, not-soon-to-be-converted atheist (but a firm, yes, al dente believer in Reform Pastafarianism -- reform in that I don't buy the pirate schtick) I find the whole notion of organized religion ludicrous at best, profoundly scary at worst. And the Jesus Campers are truly scary fuckers. Mental child molesters.

The documentary covers a crowd of evengelical Xtians who specifically focus on converting kids to work as ministers and to be the future generation of true believers. They're quite militant about it, and the way they manage to brainwash the kids into buying their snake oil would make the Branch Davidians blush.

A recent post about the movie by my favoritest blogger, Tbogg, reminded me of a few things that I've wanted to research a bit more. The whole notion of baptism, and the myth of original sin. The notion that a newborn child is somehow in need of spiritual improvement strikes me as flat-out ridiculous. and the mindset that presumes that a newborn could somehow be a sinner is just seriously off its rocker. So, I prodded and poked a bit, and it turns out that among real Xtians the discussion rages on about infant baptism vs. later baptism as a true sign of your devotion to your cult. Mennonites and others believe that a real baptism can only take place when an adult (or at least somewhat competent) individual of his or her own free will decides to be baptized, understanding the implications and the symbolic meaning of the act.

And, see, at least in a logical sort of way that makes a lot more sense. I still think the whole farcical aquatic ceremony is hogwash, but at least all the participants are (presumably) volunteers. And as with the Jesus Camp crap I can't help but scream: leave the kids out of this, will ya? Preach to other adults, who have chosen to come of their own volition. If they want to speak in tongues and declare Jesus their savior, so be it. But kids deserve better, so much better. Santa Claus. The Tooth Fairy. Decent Republicans. Jesus. They should all remain fun. entertaining myths, not the focus of three weeks of boot camp for boys and girls, complete with rapture prep and idolation of cardboard cut-outs of George Bush.

I've been a Wired subscriber for almost eight years now. I just go the little "urgent response needed" envelope from their subscription guys, but this time I'm letting it lapse. I'm done with Wired Magazine. 

 While I appreciate some of their articles and reviews, their content has become increasingly irrelevant to me. I don't care about the latest accessory for the BlackBerry, and I don't care about the people behind the people behind the director's cut of The Matrix. I don't like their vaguely hypocritical attempt at being progressive and granola, while at the same time spending endless column inches on war porn and coverage of the latest Pentagon toys.

And in particularly, I don't care much for having to make my way thru endless advertising disguised as editorial content, ads for Hummers and other crappy American cars in order to find completely vapid content like their recent "How To" guide. That editorial disaster insulted Steve Colbert by wasting his time and talent on promoting the most sophomoric collection of crappy articles. 

Besides, I can only spend so much time in the bathroom reading highbrow magazines, so something's got to give. 

Cervelo (just the aluminum frame, not the full-carbon toy). Quite the ride. The frame features some of the most amazing aero work ever produced, and the rest of the bike is just... nice.

For a Danish-Canadian like me, the bike is extra special of course; made in Canada and ridden by CSC, the Danish-owned team lead by ex-Tour winner Bjarne Riis.

Finally got this thing after weeks' and weeks of waiting -- the demand for these has apparently out-stripped supply, so my (not so) local bike shop (Fitwerx in Waitsfield, VT) had to work hard to get one from another dealership. The Fitwerx pros do a great job custom fitting you for a bike -- but you pay a price for all that's nice.

Time to retire the old hand-me-down Klein (thx, Kirk) that I've used extensively this season. It's last big ride was my trip from Vermont to Cape Cod... more about that in a bit.

Old Home Day in our little neck of the woods had a 50's Rock & Roll theme this year. Lucas, Lea & I were lucky enough to be invited to join The King's float, sharing it with Bridger, Greta, Carly, Sophia, Finn, Sophie, Mazie, Riley and a whole bunch more.

It was an awe-inspiring performance. What a voice. What a presence. What a rug.

Huge thanks to Kristin for arranging the float and somehow convincing Elvis to make an appearance.