Politics and other nightmares

It'll be good for the little darlings:

Asked if he used a MAC or a PC, John McCain confessed to being a computer illiterate who depends on his wife for anything digital. Should we care?

I didn't think anybody could beat out Al Gore for global-warming hysteria, but this guy takes the prize:

Exactly 20 years after warning America about global warming, a top NASA scientist said the situation has gotten so bad that the world's only hope is drastic action.

A lot of people -- including the guy who directed the survey -- are expressing surprise that America is such a tolerant nation when it comes to religion:

Overwhelming majorities of Americans say they believe in God (or a "universal spirit"). But substantial majorities from all major religious categories also say they believe their religion is not the only path to eternal life, and that there's not just one correct version of their faith.

In addition to the "educational neglect" charge, there should be felony stupidity charge available for people like this:

Letting your child miss school is enough to land you a felony charge in Indiana - and up to three years in prison - as one Wabash woman has discovered.

Just because something's true, that doesn't mean you should shout it out:

A top aide to Sen. John McCain said a terrorist attack in the United States would benefit the Republican nominee politically, a comment that was quickly denounced by the candidate while campaigning in California.

Certainly Americans could stand to lose a little weight. One way to aid that cause is for governments to mandate that restaurant menus contain more information on nutrition (California and New York leading the way, natch). That's legitimate, right? One thing government can do without screwing it up too much is to get information to consumers so they can make informed decisions. But (you knew one was coming, right?):

This one's for you, Alex. It's not a campaign ad, but it certainly meets the "stupid" criterion:

The Texas Republican Party is distancing itself from a vendor who sold campaign buttons at last weekend's state convention that asked, "If Obama is president ... will we still call it The White House?"

The state GOP party said Wednesday that it will donate the $1,500 rent it collected from the vendor, Republicanmarket.com, to Midwestern flood victims.

A Hoosier columnist thinks the presidential candidates should steer clear of religious endorsements:

While Barack Obama and John McCain are working out the ground rules for the next four months, it would be so great if they would agree to a moratorium on religious pandering.

Before they decide about town hall meetings, running mates, which convicted felon pals to defend or jettison — both men should sign a joint promise to lay off of seeking and trumpeting religion-related endorsements.

If I get the gist of this guy's argument, it's that gambling that merely cannibalizes what local residents already spend doesn't add much to the state's economy. To be a successful economic development strategy, gambling has to attract a lot of out-of-state gamblers: