Dreary Tuesday--Afternoon Coffee-Harar

81% in an ABC/Washington Post poll back legalizing medical marijuana. New Jersey just passed a law, joining many other states. I was persuaded to this position by sci-fi writer Robert Anton Wilson, author of the counter-culture classic The Illuminatus Trilogy. Wilson had suffered childhood polio and then in late middle-age it recurred as adult polio, crippling him. With his hash brownies delivered by a group that advocated marijuana use for the chronically ill, he managed to walk relatively well and could type. It probably gave us about a dozen more book and several taped lectures before he died. I think it was worth it.

The Marriage Equality or Gay Marriage Trial began again and soon became a real ZZZedfest. The Republican Mayor of San Diego testified how he evolved from a position supporting domestic partnerships to same sex marriage. His testimony was important to demonstrate that prejudice was an important factor in the case, which the anti-gay lawyers want to disprove. Then Lee Badgett put me to sleep with his extensive analysis of the economic costs and benefits of gay marriage. Although some interesting facts did emerge--gays on the general have two children, hence they are the nuclear family--Voila! Also that the decline in heterosexual marriage in the Netherlands and Spain was not linked to gay marriage but in the first country to secularization and in Spain to the loosening of divorce laws, which occurred at the same time as the legalization of same sex marriage. Of course, Nate the Great Silver actually showed that divorce rates dropped in states where same sex marriages were allowed. All of this is to show heteros won't be hurt by any of this. The trial will drone forth because Olson and Boies want to rack up the points.

Never fear health care reform fans Massachusetts has to take at least 15 days before they certify the winner of the Senate race. Lawyers from both parties are rushing to Boston, readying themselves for Coleman-Franken II. The bill should be passed before then since Paul Kirk will remain in Senate until the race is certified. Early word is that it's a large turnout but not at a presidential level. Reports from Coakley convassers range from enthusiastic responses to people saying they were turned off by her negative advertising.

The Mittens himself-Mitt Romney did surface to blast the "royalists" in Washington. I guess he's a teabagger too.

The Yankees won the AL championship! Andy Petitte broke Smoltz' playoff record and the great Mariano Rivero picked up the save. Johnny Damon finally drove some runs home with bases loaded since he had failed three times during the Angels' series. Beautiful weather. I wonder how the World Series will turn out. What a better way to spend winter than watching baseball. The bittersweet moment was knowing that Hadeki Matusi would end up on the Angels this year. The CD set has Tim McCarver doing the play-by-play and you are spared the commercials and delays. Better yet you can get all the World Series. Day 1 of the Series tonight.

Ian Rankin has returned--first with a new character Matthew Fox in The Complaints and with yuppie art thieves in Doors Open. Yes, we want Rebus to return. He did take his "dead cases" when he retired in Exit Music so hope springs eternal.

Just before Robert Mapplethorpe died, Patti Smith promised him she would write their story. It's called Just Kids and showed up today. Review soon.