I’m not sure I buy into the Toyota analogy for reorganizing our intelligence efforts, but at least I’m finally hearing someone speak up that maybe centralizing that function under one person isn’t such a hot idea. From today’s Slate:

“What should be clear, however, is that combining the many different agencies involved in intelligence gathering and analysis at a single point-that of the director of intelligence-is almost certain not to succeed in delivering the kind of ambiguous yet essential functionality that everyone wants. So, some other kind of connectivity, along with a more creative approach, is required-one that incorporates not only the sharing of information across agency boundaries (a recommendation of the commission’s that has received relatively little attention), but active collaboration, joint training, and the development of long term personal relationships between agencies as well.”

A thought worth considering.

Last night was the fourth or fifth night of what has become Sarah’s Dog and Pony Show, a seemingly endless stream of potential roommates scrutinizing me, Casey, and my little rowhouse. After Thursday candidate no. 2 had come and gone and I was waiting for candidate no. 3 (who rudely never showed anyway), I decided to relax a little and crack open a bottle of wine that a friend who works at a Virginia winery had given me as a thank you.

About halfway into my first glass, I managed to convince my current roommate, Mel, to join me for a drink. But as the wine was very good, one glass quickly turned into kicking the bottle and some great conversation. So we decided to hit another bottle from my stash. And though I experienced some technical difficulties in opening the second bottle (broke the cork off in the neck and followed with a stream of cursing directed at the insensitive donor of the wine for providing me with a faulty bottle), it was also pretty good, despite flecks of floating cork, and we killed it with

ease, too.

At this point, it’s getting pretty late in the night and we’re already both giddy. Ordinary folks would call it a night and stop there. But no, Melissa had on hand a bottle of Manischewitz. Even better–a bottle of BLACKBERRY Manischewitz.

If you’ve never heard of it, Manischewitz is a Jewish wine that is traditionally consumed at Passover. Melissa had brought a bottle back with her after last Passover, and it had been sitting on our bar for ages. Since a guy I recently dated had on several occasions complained about this wine, my curiosity was full on. I took the bait.

At best, it’s a close approximation of wine. It actually tastes like someone took a family-size jar of Welch’s grape jelly, melted it down into a liquid and then added alcohol.

I never knew what hit me. I woke up this morning at five minutes till six, slumped over the side of my overstuffed chair, accompanied only by the dog, who was sleeping on the couch across from me. I managed to slink upstairs and crawl into bed for another hour of sleep before I had to get up and head into the working world.

When I finally did get up, I got the story from Melissa. Apparently, we were drinking, talking, laughing and generally having a good time when I set my wine glass down defiantly and told her I hoped she wouldn’t be offended but that I was about to pass out. I promptly did just that.

It’s 5:30 at night and I STILL feel awful. Ah, the power of Manischewitz.

Escape-A-Date makes headlines in the New York Times today.

New York Times, anti-lying? I’m so shocked!

VENICE — Officials in Indiana and Washington, D.C., said they are dumbfounded by a statement U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris made about a terrorist plot to blow up a power grid in Indiana.

In making the statement during a speech to 600 people Monday night in Venice, Harris either shared a closely held secret or passed along second-hand information as fact.

A staff member of the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, which oversees the nation’s intelligence operations, said he had heard of no such plot.

And Indiana officials in the county where the power grid is located were at a loss to explain where the information originated.

…She said in the speech that a man of Middle Eastern heritage had been arrested in the plot and that explosives were found in his home in Carmel, a suburb north of Indianapolis.

Harris, a Republican from Longboat Key who is running for re-election, said the case was an example of the nation’s success in fighting terrorism.

Carmel Mayor James Brainard and a spokesman for Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan said they had no knowledge of such a plot. Brainard said he had never spoken to Harris.

Why bother with facts when you can just make something up to scare the shit out of people? Ooops:

Harris Regrets Bogus Terror Plot Claim

WASHINGTON – Republican Rep. Katherine Harris said Wednesday she regrets concerns caused by her claim that a plot existed to blow up the power grid in Carmel, Ind. City officials disputed the claims of a plot.

“I was told in an open, group setting that a recent situation threatened a Midwestern community and that it had been diffused,” Harris said Wednesday. “I regret that I had no knowledge of the sensitive nature of this situation and any undue concern this may have caused.”

…

I think that speaks for itself.

The schedule for the Vote for Change Swing State Tour — a concert in every part of Ohio on October 2 but the friggin’ capital of the state.

Le sigh.

Ooh! this looks good.

God, I’m such a PR geek.

So, when I saw yesterday a story decrying the most recent “policy statement” from the Vatican on the role of women, I got ticked off. REALLY ticked off. Basically, most mainstream news sources have been lambasting the Vatican for criticizing feminism and dictating accepted Catholic views of the true role of women in society. A closer read of the document, however, made me think a little more about its implications; then I stumbled onto this analysis of the statement this morning. Pepinster’s column raises a few good points that mainstream sources don’t address–particularly the broader applications of the statement for equality for women in third-world countries.

I have two major beefs with the Vatican’s statement. 1)Women are still being denied opportunities to the priesthood, and this document–though going in depth to use scripture to explain their views on women’s accepted and divine roles–does little to explain why such a ban should remain in place.I’m sorry, “because jesus was a man” still bears no significant weight as an argument for me. Women are just as–if not more–capable of being spiritual leaders, interpreting scriptures and providing caring support to a congregation or community.

2) What’s up with the outrageous suggestion that “feminism” is responsible for the current (and so-called) “marriage crisis” and burgeoning gay rights movement? WTF? Cardinal Ratzinger throws this claim out there and then completely dodges it throughout the rest of the document. I don’t believe that blurred gender roles are what lead to homosexuality or gay marriage, and I’m offended by the church’s implication that women’s actions to establish themselves as equals in society are responsible for the detioration of the family unit. If the church wants to tackle the issue of gay marriage, it should do so openly, and without slinging unfair arrows that devalue years of social progress.

Nifty: an online collection of historic American sheet music, from 1850 through 1920.