One has to ask some very strange things in the job I have.

Just a question --

If, at last night's debate, Tim Russert asks stupid questions that piss off Clinton supporters and Tim Russert asks stupid questions that piss of Obama supporters, shouldn't the ire of all of us be focused on Tim Russert instead of at each other?

Which brings up a larger question -- who really benefits when Democrats are ripping into each other because of a funny picture of one of the candidates or because of the contents of a mailing?

It turns out the results of Joe's I.Q. test had caught the attention of the highest levels of government.

Just another small reminder of why a Democratic president (Clinton/ Obama) would still be preferable to McCain. On Saturday the scientific advisory teams of Clinton and Obama had a debate sponsored by the American Society for the Advancement of Science. Wonder of wonders they pretty much agreed on everything --

Either Clinton or Obama would reverse the Bush administration ban on federal funding of certain embryonic stem cell research and both have multiple plans to ameliorate climate change through technological advances, carbon trading and more engagement with other nations.

Both representatives promised more scientific freedom, ending what they characterized as extensive political interference in science and technology policy decisions. Ross said "instead of having politicians make those decisions, let's have scientists make those decisions," and Kalil adding Clinton "is committed to signing executive orders to prevent political appointees from muzzling scientists."

Nothing in the article about Obama's previously stated preference to cutting space exploration so I don't know if that ill-considered position still stands.

I did love this bit where Republicans were apparently invited to the debate as well but just couldn't make it--

...John McCain's science advisor had declined due to scheduling problems and that they had not received any reply to the invitation from the Mike Huckabee or Ron Paul campaigns

Huckabee's science advisor couldn't attend because he's busy doing field research into "The Water-based Effects of Submersion of Supernaturally Tainted Women with Black Pointy Hats."

Ron Paul's advisor couldn't get a hall pass from his middle school.

C is for cookie and that's good enough for me!

It occurs to me that part of the reason it often feels that when we engage the other side in debate that we're arguing with a bratty, spoiled, five-year old child throwing a tantrum while holding his hands over his ears is because we are (pdf doc).