So I didn’t write about the election before it happens, but I’m quite happy with the result. I’m not a democrat; I’ve been a registered Independent since I turned 18, and I would be surprised if I ever affiliated with a party. George Washington was famously wary of parties and their scheming, and if it’s good enough for the old-school George W, it’s good enough for me. In every election until this one, I’ve voted for the man and not the party, and my votes have gone to Dems, Republicans and third parties all. This election, you would have to be nuts to have voted for the Republicans.

It’s not a matter of ideology; it’s a matter of ethics and competence. *Five* members of Congress (all Republican) had to resign in ethical scandals. The administration, aided by the Congress, has essentially committed war crimes and sullied America’s good name around the world. Lobbyist influence has never been higher, and it’s the result of a direct project of Republican leaders (called the K Street Project). This couldn’t be allowed to continue.

One day, there’ll be a party for us “leave us alone in social and economic matters but don’t go batshit crazy about it like the Libertarian party” types. We’ll see. I’m not waiting with bated breath.

On a nonpolitical note, we’re getting near the end of the college football season and the ridiculous arguments that “Well, Team A is bad because they lost to Team B, who lost to Team C, who is terrible!” I like to check to see where this argument, continued, can take us. Right now, either USC, Arkansas or Florida is likely to play for the national championship. Any of those three teams can be shown to be worse than 4-7 Division II Augustana College (go Augies!) by the above logic. Here’s the chain (where A->B means A lost to B): Florida -> Auburn -> Arkansas -> USC -> Or State -> UCLA -> Washington -> Stanford -> Navy -> Tulsa -> Rice -> Tulane -> UTEP -> New Mexico -> Portland State -> Montana State -> Ewash -> C.Wash -> MSU-Mankato -> Augustana College.

And yeah, I really do need more to do at work.

Let’s tie it all together, though: one part politics, one part college ball. My favorite college “symbol” (not mascot!) is Illinois’ Chief Illiniwek, with his fancy dance at halftime during big games while the “Three-in-One” anthem plays. You can grab a video of the Chief at Youtube, of course.  Now it’s, let’s say, skirting the line of being racist, but there’s got to be a way to be PC and still keep an 80 year old tradition, isn’t there?  Call him Illiniwek, take away the feathers and keep the dance?