Good Boy, Jim. The number that matters? 500% That's the amount of increase in our prison populations, in just 30 years. I knew it was bad, I didn't know it was that bad.

I don't know if anything will come of these hearings, but I'm glad to see Webb at least bringing it to our attention. I think, and have said many times before, that money is the key to ending the drug war. That is, the country is broke, and increasingly the choice will be food and health care for children and the elderly, or millions to prison companies who incarcerate hippies caught with a couple of joints. Via the ever essential DrugWar Rant.

This one goes in the 'save for later' file. I'm just going to say it: there are a lot of people out there who want to do nothing but fall at the feet of the first person in politics who is "bold" enough to say something progressive. Or rather, the first white/male person, we all know those unelectable, radical bra burning types don't count, and if they did, they'd never be on TV anyway so therefore they still don't count. But like with the Next Great Triangulator, I feel that people are a tad too willing to get married before they've even had a chance to get to know the merchandise. It's a cliche that some lesbians may bring UHauls on their second dates, but myself I've never been that type. I meant to put this up earlier but illness sidetracked me, so I hope as you review the article you'll recall all the bubbly chatter about Webb being a great choice for the Democratic nominee in 2008 that came after the SOTU. Let's all slow down, and give him a couple more dates before we unzip our pants and beg him to go for home base.

I just love this little "I Dare You to Veto It" bill from Webb, don't you?

It will replace the Montgomery G.I. Bill, to which military personnel must contribute -- while earning a low active-duty salary anyway -- and which only provides financial support of up to $800 per month for educational expenses, which may not cover the cost of a full college education.

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act will pay for Veterans' tuition, books, fees, and other training costs, while also providing a monthly stipend of $1,000 for living expenses, thus making it much more possible for a large number of Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan to actually be able to complete a college education and build a better life.

I was wrong. Now is the time for a little blog triumphalism. I just got this from the Webb campaign:

November 9 Victory Update

As expected, it was extremely close (49.6%-49.3%…a lead of only 7,200 votes), but the hard work of Generation Webb and the rest of our volunteers paid off and we not only won an election for Jim Webb, but we won back the U.S. Senate and have effectively ended the Bush Era in Washington!

Arlington alone made the difference. With 56% turnout and 73% for Webb, we increased participation by 22% and secured 10,000 more Democratic votes over the 2005 governor's race…the margin needed for Jim Webb's victory. In comparison, the 2002 mid-term election turnout was just 40%.

Lordy I'm tired. A couple of thoughts while I soak my feet. Today, I ran around with one of the grrls from Blondesense working for Webb and against the hate amendment in VA. It was fun, informative, and tiring.

First off, let me say that campaigns need to come out of the 1950s. A relative told me today (from a different state) that she would be burning all campaign literature delivered to her doorstep between now and election day. Not that she's apolitical, simply- she's been showered with it and the paper trail will supply kindling for her fires for months to come. It's a simple question to me: who really thinks a flyer or doorknob reminder will change any voter's mind? Or even get a 'low information' voter to come out to vote, over sitting around and watching Oprah on Tuesday? I smelled a lot of BBQ today, heard a lot of hooting over football; I'm not sure leaving a flyer in the door will convince those folks to do their Democratic duty.