I'm from the Democratic party-wing of the Democratic party---the late Paul Wellstone, R.I.P.

The Russians did a surprising job clearing up their hostage situation. I've been remembering our Good Guys hostage thing, which ended badly. I thought everyone would be dead when this was over. And the terrorists got nothing... in fact, I would hate to be a Chechen at this point.

I've done some more catchup viewing. In Amazing Race, I really don't like the A&A team. They seem to despise everyone else, the brothers, the twins, the older people. They act like they think they are Beautiful People and therefore should win. I see I'm not alone, they have 41% popularity and the brother teams are both in the 80s.

I felt a little reluctant to go pick Casey up, after last week's unhappy experience. However, after a couple of words at the very beginning: "Listen to me. Pay attention. I am NOT buying you anything, and I don't want you getting mad about it", we were fine. We came down to the Discovery Museum and looked (briefly) at the Space Toys exhibit. It's a bit too much looking and not enough button-pushing for this child, but it was OK. (Rich will like it, however.) Then we were over in the nearby playground for quite awhile. It's the last chance for that, as now it will be dark when I have Casey.