It Makes a Difference to the Sheep

McSweeny gives a good run-down. Snippets:

7. Paul Tsongas, former Senator, Massachusetts

Pro: Fiscal conservative, appeal could cross party lines
Con: From same state as Kerry, died in 1997

14. Ann Coulter, columnist

Pro: Flattering position would silence her exposing of the true evil liberal agenda
Con: Is composed entirely of spiders and deadly snakes writhing beneath a latex "skin"

16. Joseph Biden, Senator, Delaware

Pro: Articulate speaker, respected among Democratic leadership
Con: Delaware is a protectorate, not a state, therefore constitutionally ineligible.

Read the whole thing

Here's a theme whose ubiquity I had never before recognized. From antiquity to impressionism, Sir Donald appears to have been everywhere!

I suppose I could have taken the time to comment on Al Gore's meltdown, goings on in North Korea, the continued success of the dreaded Lakers, or any number of other topics, but with views and vistas like the ones below, I decided to spend what spare time I've had here exploring and enjoying some of the most spectacularly beautiful scenery I have ever seen.


The "village" 


Across Lake Como 


Another view 


Crypt in the basement 

There's the Theory of the Leisure Class and then there's the "leisure of the theoried class." I am presently enjoying a nice dose of the latter. Yes, there is a conference at which I will present a paper, discuss other papers etc., held at the "Bellagio study and conference center" (see here for pictures of the place taken by a previous beneficiary), but let's get real: with views like the one below, great food, and lots of gelato to be consumed, there are far worse places one could envision discussing Korea's navigation between and among two different systems of writing.

The view down the hill from my villa 

Korea imports more kimch'i than it exports. (thanks to Flying Yangban). What's next? Probably this.