October Ides & Clean Hands

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008 - 12:34 a.m.

I took a long comfy look at the Canadian election return coverage last night, courtesy of C SPAN; I was impressed with the coverage itself in that it was calm, professional, free of commercials, and thoroughly understandable by a largely-unschooled Yank like me.

I *think* it goes something like this: There are more women seated in the Canadian Parliament this time around than ever before, and the Conservatives fell ten seats short of a majority, which would have allowed that party to pass legislation without an assist from opposing parties.

I wish the United States had a parliamentary system.

Might be more than a little fun to see the head of government have to answer questions from the members of parliament once a week.

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Levi Johnston, the 18-year-old high school hockey player who is the father of Bristol Palin's baby, was recently interviewed in front of his home. He and Bristol have been dating since he was a high-school freshman. He says that he and Bristol were planning on getting married anyway, "with or without the kid". The young couple is looking forward to the baby's arrival, sometime in Mid-December, and they are planning to have a summer wedding.

Bristol's young man hasn't finished high school, though, instead opting to drop out and accept an electician apprenticeship on the North Slope Oil Fields.

Levi is rooting for John McCain and his future mother-in-law to win, although he didn't bother to register to vote this time around.

What a guy. Mind you, I know the job he took is extremely lucrative, and his gal has a bun in the oven so money has to take a priority over education right now, but nevertheless, I'm concerned what kind of future that baby is going to have if babydaddy doesn't bother to complete his basic schooling.

Lots and lots and LOTS of luck to the new family. Srsly.

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Finally, today is International Handwashing Day.

It is estimated that over half of the contagious diseases of the world could be reduced if everybody washed their hands at several crucial times: Before eating, before food preparation, after using the toilet, and after cleaning a baby.

In lots of cases, a 60% alcohol hand sanitizer is at least as effective as a hand washing, but for some stuff, soap and water works best.

Since using hand sanitizer, John and I have not had more than one cold a year, and we used to have several.

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Okay, there ya go. Have a good Wednesday, and for those who give a doily, new South Park tonight!

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