R.I.P. Jerry Orbach

X-mas Marx says don't contribute to the system which profits on your wage slavery!

eBay has the answer! Ah, the isolation of American brand capitalism with the guilt of religion are an excellent combination.

Howard Dean was on Meet the Press this morning. He's running for chair of the DNC. Finally.

Quite frankly, if he is unsuccessful in his bid, we'd better get used to these Gestapo rejects as "mainstream American politics." I support Dean's run (as if my endorsement means a damn thing), the only people who should be afraid of this are Republicans.

OK, last night I did not spend with Derrida as was previously boasted. Rather, I had several beers and watched Ren and Stimpy. I need the Dionysean as a prior requirement for the Appolonian.

Thus, I woke up early to make progress on this Wheeler book.

I've been reading everything I can get my hands on in terms of practical application of Derrida. I've been through only a small fraction of the available literature, and have coem to realize how varied and broad-reaching a thinker he has become. I always have dismissed Derrida, mostly due to to the fact that I didn't understand him. Don't get me wrong: I still don't. But, I am beginning to warm up to neo-pragmatism also. If only to make it more politically efficacious . . .

I am reading Samuel Wheeler's "Deconstruction as Analytic Philosophy" (Stanford UP, 2000) right now. I've also decided to give John McDowell's "Mind and World" another spin over the break. But, for now, I keep thinking about Derrida.

It seems like the semster is going faster and faster. I have some grading left, and meanwhile I'm reading and writing.

Went drinking last night. FL Jay had the brilliant idea to hold a benefit show for his lawyer's fees following his DUI. 'Twas brillig. I drank a little (four or five beers and two shots) and somehow I'm dragging this morning. I guess I'm getting old, hangovers are becoming easier to get.

My grades are due a week from Monday, no updates until then!

With holidays upon us, some of us might wish to be mindful of who we patronize relative to their 2000 Election Cycle political donations, as reported by the Center for Responsive Politics....

by Alan Abramowitz

Shopping?

• Price Club/Costco donated $225K, of which 99% went to democrats;
  
• WalMart, $467K, 97% to republicans;
  
• K-Mart, $524K, 86% to republicans;
  
• Home Depot, $298K, 89% to republicans;
  
• Target, $226K, 70% to republicans;
  
• Circuit City Stores, $261K, 95% to republicans;
  
• Rite Aid, $517K, 60% to democrats;
  
• Magla Products (Stanley tools, Mr. Clean), $22K, 100% to democrats;
  
• 3M Co., $281K, 87% to republicans;
  
• Hallmark Cards, $319K, 92% to republicans;
  
• Amway, $391K, 100% republican;
  
• Kohler Co. (plumbing fixtures), $283K, 100% republicans;
  
• Warnaco (undergarmet s), $55K, 73% to democrats;
  
• B.F. Goodrich (tires), $215K, 97% to republicans;
  
• Proctor & Gamble, $243K, 79% to republicans;
  
• Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, $153K, 99% to democrats;
  
• Estee Lauder, $448K, 95% to democrats;
  
• Guess ? Inc., $145K, 98% to democrats;
  
• Calvin Klein, $78K, 100% to democrats;
  
• Liz Claiborne, Inc., $34K, 97% to democrats;
  
• Levi Straus, $26K, 97% to democrats;
  
• Olan Mills, $175K, 99% to democrats.
  

Drinking?

• Coors, $174K, 92% to republicans;
  
• Gallo Winery, $337K, 95% to democrats;
  
• Brown-Forman Corp. (Southern Comfort, Jack Daniels, Bushmills,Korbel wines - as well as Lennox China, Dansk, Gorham Silver), $644, 80% to republicans;
  
• Southern Wine & Spirits, $213K, 73% to democrats;
  
• Joseph E. Seagrams & Sons (includes beverage business, plus considerable media interests), $2M+, 67% democrats.
  

Eating?

• Pilgrim's Pride Corp. (chicken), $366K, 100% republican;
  
• Outback Steakhouse, $641K, 95% republican;
  
• Sonic Corporation, $83K, 98% democrat;
  
• Tricon Global Restaurants (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell), $133K, 87% republican;
  
• Brinker International (Maggiano's, Brinker Cafe, Chili's, On the Border, Macaroni Grill, Crazymel's, Corner Baker, EatZis), $242K, 83% republican;
  
• Triarc Companies (Arby's, T.J. Cinnamon's, Pasta Connections), $112K, 96% democrats;
  
• Waffle House, $279K, 100% republican;
  
• McDonald's Corp., $197K, 86% republican;
  
• Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Smokey Bones, Bahama Breeze), $121K, 89% republican;
  
• Hyatt Corporation, $187K, 80% to democrats;
  
• Mariott International, $323K, 81% to republicans;
  
• Holiday Inns, $38K, 71% to republicans.