Happy 4th!

Here's to all of you, especially all of our servicemen and women who have made this day possible.

Time to review the rules of Quid readership

Rule Número Uno: Rachel can't just blow in and be a smarty-pants when I've gone to the trouble of reading the Mark Sanford article and watching the video and searching YouTube for a Citibank commercial. It's not right.

That's the only rule I can think of, but while I'm on the subject of Sanford the Transnational Adulterer (call him Sannie the Trannie for short):

I contend that "wise latina" is code for "homely and can't dance and therefore has to find other ways, like racial blackmail, to get attention of any kind." Therefore [How Do You Solve A Problem Like] Maria doesn't qualify.

Off hand, have any of you ever heard of a politician or famously unfaithful person go ga-ga over a complete dog? I just think it's mighty convenient that Mark Sanford's "soul mate" has such hot packaging. Maybe his soul is metaphysically linked to his ying-yang.

Courting the Hispanic Vote

The GOP has had problems gaining traction with much of the Hispanic community, with the notable exception of the Cubans. 

I see a career move for Mark Sanford.  It turns out one of his pre-The-Big-Nasty trysts was a coffee date at the Republican convention.

And re Mark Sanford, I wish I'd written this.  According to the AP interview, which lasted two days, he was highly emotional and cried a lot.  It reminds me of a commercial about identity theft where there's a hairy layabout with the voice of a young female ditz talking about buying a bustier.**  Mark Sanford is a grown man who's inner child is a hormonal teenaged girl who's found the keys to the car.  Pathetic.

** found it!

TOTUS Vote for ScroTUS

Teleprompter of the United States held a vote on Facebook for ScroTUS.  Nominees included Tiny Tim Geithner and Rahm Emmanuel, but the winner, hands down was Robert "Giggles" Gibbs, thanks to his sterling performance in this press conference.  That strange sensation you have while you're watching this is  the feeling of being entirely on Helen Thomas's side.  Kudos also to Chip Ried.  He wouldn't have been faulted for leaping out of his chair and stuffing the giggle where the sun don't shine.

Michael R.: Perfect, as usual

[h/t aelfheld]

Tristan, RIP

Our eldest dog, Tristan the Aussie, passed away today.  He had been declining rapidly, and the same vet that said, "I can't believe this dog is 10 years old," a mere 3-1/2 years ago because of Tristan's puppy-like demeanor and energy, gave him his last injection today. 

He was a puppy for ten years, and then suddenly an old boy, plagued by arthritis, deafness, cataracts, and loss of neural control.

We remember him a a jolly dog, not the brightest, but affectionate and buoyant.  He epitomized Mark Twain's observation, "A door is something a dog is always on the wrong side of."  He wanted to be with his people, always.  He made a big friend with my mother, not one for warming up to other people's dogs.  She thought he was perfect. 

Tristan was perfectly obedient to only one person, my daughter, who was three when we got him.  He terrified her at first.  He was a big puppy and wanted to play, and it scared her to have him bounce right up to her.  To help her gain command, I squatted down and had her stand between my knees.  I told her to shout, "NO!!" as loud as she could as soon as I said go.  Tristan spied us and made a bouncy, energetic beeline.  He was just about to make his final leap toward us and I said, "Go!"  Daughter screamed, "NOOOO!!" and I reached from behind her and knocked him sideways while he was airborne.  Ever after, whenever she spoke, he listened.  If she didn't like what he was doing, she just had to shout, in her 3-year old voice, "TRISTAN, NO!!" and he would flop, whereever he was.  Once, she became exasperated because a game of fetch between her father and Tristan was always punctuated with extended tug-o-wars because Tristan wouldn't relinquish the frisbee.  Tired of hearing her father repeat "Drop it!" while tugging away, she turned to Tristan and growled, "Tristan, drop it."  He opened his mouth and sat down at attention- to her.

Good-bye, dear and faithful friend.

Paint

Summer Fields is wonderful.  I've chosen Dark Cowslip 2 for the trim.  I have no idea what a cowslip is.  Lemme look it uuuuupppppp.....  OK, here it is:

pretty, but it isn't the color that my trim will be, which is more of a cream.

Dear Frank

Dear Mr. Ricci,

It's been a long time coming, but you finally got justice.  I hope you enjoy a long and fulfilling career as a Captain, or a Lieutenant, or as high as you can earn your stripes.  The people of New Haven are very lucky to have you protecting them.

Congratulations, and God Speed-