If you haven’t already, check out Richard Rushfield’s column from today’s Slate. As a social experiment, Rushfield donned campaign gear and then infiltrated communities thick with the opposition. His experiences wearing Kerry regalia are tame, limited to a few irritated glances and a stalking incident that can’t quite be connected to the shirt. Venturing out into LA-LA-Liberal land wearing Bush gear, however, is quite a different story:

I sit down to eat. Dining nearby is a young girl who looks to be about 6-years-old; she gazes at my shirt with a look so forlorn, I expect to learn that Dick Cheney just stole her crayons. Her mother arrives and gives her a hug of consolation. The girl starts to talk, but I can only make out “Bush shirt,” which she says to her mother as she points my way. The mother turns and glares, shaking her head at me. I start to wonder what sort of person I am to inflict this on a poor child.

And I thought people only behaved this partisanly in Washington.

From ESPN.

NEW YORK — In hindsight, perhaps it was a mistake for the Yankees to raise a “Mission Accomplished” banner above their dugout after Game 3.

Yeah. Probably not a great move.

Not that I’m a huge Boston fan so much as an anti-Yankees fan (or maybe it’s just that I like rooting for the underdog). But I’m psyched the Red Sox will be in this year’s Series.

So, yeah, Einstein was right:

Earth’s spin warps space around the planet, according to a new study that confirms a key prediction of Einstein’s general theory of relativity.

After 11 years of watching the movements of two Earth-orbiting satellites, researchers found each is dragged by about 6 feet (2 meters) every year because the very fabric of space is twisted by our whirling world.

See also SPACE.com’s story about how scientists have used satellites to measure local gravity and its variances (!) over time.

“Toldja.”

Chris Suellentrop on why John Kerry insists on turning something as simple as See Spot Run into Ulysses.

So, basically, our choice this year is between two grammar-challenged candidates (one doesn’t put enough words together and fails to form clear sentences, the other puts too many words together and fails to form clear sentences.) Whee.

Holy cow: check out this massive, double-disc Halloween mix, available for free download (including the artwork for the sleeve)!

Half of this stuff, I have no idea of what it even is, but how awesome is that?

[via boingboing]

Circus Peanut, that is. I discovered today that my boss shares with Val and cousin Laura a love for (obsession with?) the Circus Peanut. In fact, she shared with me a recipe for Circus Peanut Jell-O Salad.

Circus Peanut Jello Salad

1-package (8oz) circus peanuts.

1-6oz package Orange Jello.

1-16oz can Mandarin Oranges…drain. Save the syrup.

2 cups boiling water

1 3/4 cup Mandarin Orange Syrup… if not enough add water to make 3/4 cup.

2 cups cool whip.

Cut peanuts into small pieces. Dissolve the jello in the boiling water. Add the peanut pieces, stirring until disolved. Drain the syrup from the Mandarin Oranges… adding enough water to make 1 3/4 cup liquid. Add to the jello, chill until partially set. Fold in oranges and cool whip. Pour into a 9 x 13 pan. Chill until firm.

Long live the Circus Peanut, whatever form it may take. Just don’t make me eat ’em.

Have you seen Jon Stewart’s performance on Crossfire yet? If not, watch it. I think the funniest part is Paul Begala trying (lamely) a few times to simply “change the subject.”

But here are some new photos for you to look at, all the same.

Enjoy.