Film: I saw a charming new musical/love story today, Once, which was about an Irish street musician/vacuum repairman (that's a new one) and Czech woman (who played the piano, but also not for a living) meeting, putting together a demo, and probably falling in love ... if their lives could handle such a thing. This all to music. A quiet basic story (the leads don't even have names), nice and compact, and evidence that love is not about sex (the "R" is for some language, underlining the stupidity of ratings).
Religion: To reaffirm something recently noted, consider how Mary Matalin handled a question [I'd add the latest Don Imus temporary replacement interviewing her showed the importance of good interview skills in absence.] about three Republican presidential candidates saying in a debate that they don't believe in evolution (toss in comments from McCain et. al. that Clinton/Obama are surrender monkeys or something for their vote against funding of a failed policy, why exactly should I take these people seriously? I say this as someone who knew Rudy "you thought Bush was authoritarian" G. as mayor) by suggesting a sizable number of Democrats don't believe in God.
This is false -- some polls suggest even as to church goers the difference is like 10% -- but again, her use of "nonbeliever" rankled. "Nonbeliever" here doesn't even mean non-theist (who don't believe in anything, being nihilists, right?) but those who don't believe in a certain type of Christianity. The fact people take this seriously with the current set of candidates (comparing the divorce rates of the two parties alone underlines the fact) is ridiculous. Obama is quite explicit about his faith, Edwards also references it, and Clinton is know for her "new age-y" use of religious language too. When a candidate on the other side is Mormon, we really shouldn't suggest this somehow doesn't count.
Key Issue of the Day: The consistently worthwhile Rachel Maddow made a reference on Friday to the core issue of the day ... she said Iraq. This is a good answer, but honestly, I don't quite see it as quite true. My choice would actually be broader -- it would include Iraq, but other things. My choice for key issue of the day, what this time will be remembered for, is competent/sound government. Some, including conservatives, are upset at Monica Goodling having a top job, seeing her as too green and inexperienced.
The problem is a lot deeper than an easy (though, again, probably in at least a somewhat cheap shot sort of way, especially the focus on her hair color and religion ... as if either is the core problem) target, people. Iraq is as much about competence as poor choices and ideology gone amuck. Competence and sound government (someone not an asshole factors in here too) is my key issue of the day.
Once we didn't have to worry about that though the optimist would suggest that a competent authoritarian sort would be even more dangerous.