I live

Why get rid of the electoral college?  Think about this - if the election was based on a Popular Vote any recount would need to be THE ENTIRE COUNTRY!!  Not just one state.  So take Florida and multiply that fiasco by 50.

Another thing is that certain groups would not have a voice.  The only people that would decide the election would be the cities (which would be good for Democrats). The entire middle of the country would be skipped, we don't care what coal miners and foresters in Vermont want, who cares.

Another thing people complain about is the two party system. The electoral college gives us political stability by encouraging a two-party system.   What if we have seven National Parties?  What happens when the winner of the election wins with 17% of the popular vote.

The electoral college has performed well for 200 years.
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I find it amazing how the media continues to say this is a close election. Not close. Not a runaway for sure but not close.

There was a episode on Good Morning America about polls and my guy, Nate Silver, was interviewed.  Seems there is a difference in opinion between people that use their brains and people that use their hearts.

One poll says close but if you take all 45 polls in a group, that margin of error pretty much goes out the window.  

Right now Obama has an 86.3% chance of winning and Democrats, again will have control of the Senate with a 91.5% chance.  

Nate Silver who created this number crunching software was a baseball statistician, a man after my true heart. And while FOX News says he is using hocus pocus and is crazy (remember they do not believe in actual facts "vote with your heart, not with your brains) he is freaking good.  In the last election Nate predicted 49 out of 50 states. 

Wisconsin is now ranked as a SAFE for Obama with a 94% chance for Obama winning WI!   Tammy Baldwin has a 77% chance of beating Thompson.

Case close

HOWEVER - the Washington Redskins game before the election has predicted the election 17 out of 18 times.   The Panthers beat the Redskins yesterday meaning Romney will win. 
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Yea - Friday night was an epic alcohol night for me.  Probably in the top 4 (or bottom 4 depending how you rate things).

Started out at the Harmony Bar where my 1st Friday of the month group meet.  We played softball in the #2 league in Madison for 22 years.  Well, I got to the Harmony about 4:00 and had a beer and burger,  45 minutes later I have another been (Bells Two Hearted Ale). 5:15 comes and I'm starting to think I'll be the only one here this Friday.  But Larry shows up and buys me a beer. 

Fifteen minutes later Mike shows up and buys everybody a beer and then Charlie shows up and buys everybody a beer.   See where I'm going?   Buy this time I'm drinking water AND beer.

Well, we all part ways maybe about 6:30? and I'm driving home and get a call on the phone,  DJ and Jenny are at Hydro Street and say I should stop by!!  WHY NOT!!!

I get to Hydro Street and DJ is drinking a Scotch Ale and say's I should help her drink it.  WHY NOT (forgetting that it has 8.7% alcohol).  


So we/I finish the Scotch Ale and it was pretty good so "we" have another.  We get home safely and then I realize just how inebriated I am. NOT GOOD.

Long story shorter - epic night.  It's not often in my life (maybe 3 times) that I have hugged the porcelain god. I did it on purpose to get that poison out of me. 

Milo, our cat, was by my side the entire night.  No matter where I was he was laying next to my feet trying to make me feel better. 

Lesson learned.  I've always prided myself in not overdoing alcohol. BUT - it seems once every 10 years I have to be reminded of the consequences.

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On a side note I bottled my West Coast Blaster made from fresh hops from our neighbors and in 3 weeks it'll be ready to drink.  I tasted it while bottling and REALLY thought it was good. In fact it was a little like Bell's Two Hearted Ale).

I took some photos of his hops and a few others for customers that, well, are now somewhere spread over the east coast.   My printer is located in New Jersey and has been out of touch for a while.  Finally got a message where they are starting over will all orders.  Seems they were hit hard. 

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Speaking of the Hurricane.  It's going to give our economy a boost it seems with massive construction spending and this will trickle down in all sorts of other industries.  The car industry will reap Sandy rewards.  

Gas prices are going down but don't get excited.  The reason they always go down in late fall is because we start to get crap gas.  Winter gas sucks.  It's mixed with . . . something so it does not freeze.  Your gas mileage will drop like a rock.  Out two cars are now getting 10% less mpg.   So in reality you are paying MORE for gas now.  Just seem cheaper. 

 That's it for now.

Catch me on the twitter tomorrow night as we watch the returns!

Rod