Big Tent Democrat is in court today and I'm also busy at work. How about if readers take over today? Here's an open thread.

A Sarah Palin enthusiast says:

“I’m a grandmother trying to put money away for retirement. I fear what America’s going to face with Barack Obama as president,” said Diana Ross, 59, who said she works for a company that helps provide apartments in Columbus to low-income residents.

I hate to break this to you, Diana Ross, but George Bush is president and your retirement investments are of questionable value thanks to Republican governance.

In the spirit of optimism, this open thread is brought to you by the other Diana Ross performing Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive."

I am about to get on a plane to New York, but my flight is delayed. So I pop open the computer and see the Dow lost nearly 700 points and 7.3% of its value. Oy! Talk about suffering for your sins. Atonement is seemingly out of reach at the moment.

On this high holy day for Judaism, let us pray for better days ahead and for atonement for our sins as a Nation. Or not. As you wish.

In any event this is another Open Thread.

Obama is way ahead. RCP has them here, except for the DKos/R2000 poll, which has Obama up 10 (Gallup also has Obama up by double digits.) It's over.

For non-HOLC related issues.

This is an Open Thread.

We'll be live blogging the debate tonight, I assume with all hands (J, TLKid, TChris and me.) In the meantime, here is an Open Thread.

Since I unleashed my animus for McCain all day, here's an Open Thread to talk about something else.

Boy that bailout really did the trick didn't it? Dow down 400+.

Anyone have any cheery news? How about this - in 106 days, George W. Bush will no longer be the President of the United States.

Here is a joke to cheer you up, from Annie Hall:

Two elderly women are at a Catskills mountain resort, and one of 'em says, "Boy, the food at this place is really terrible." The other one says, "Yeah, I know, and such small portions." Well, that's essentially how I feel about life. Full of loneliness and misery and suffering and unhappiness, and it's all over much too quickly.

Didn't that cheer you up?

This is an Open Thread.

Got somethin' to say? Here's a place to say it.

This is an Open Thread.

Random sports thoughts - the Gators were not great, but they don't stink either. Love the Cubs tanking. Rooting for the Angels to get off the deck and beat the Red Sox. Kimbo Slice is a fraud.

Your turn.

Part One of NBC's Brian Williams on David Letterman last night. Part Two is here.

This is an open Thread

Big Tent Democrat disagrees with Bob Herbert who points out that a McCain/Palin victory is dangerous because if something happens to McCain, we'd have the clueless wonder as President.

I agree with Bob Herbert and it is the single most important reason to defeat McCain/Palin. The prospect of her assuming the presidency if need be, even temporarily, is terrifying and unacceptable.

Nothing better shows the poor judgment of John McCain than his Hail Mary pass of choosing Sarah Palin, a politician with no relevant national experience, serious knowledge gaps on important issues and questionable ethical judgment to be his running mate. By putting his personal quest to be President over the well-being of our nation, he has demonstrated he lacks the character to be President. He sold us out for the sake of his own ambition. The radical right is now in a position to propel McCain/Palin to victory and then McCain will owe them. [More...]