HE OF THE PERPETUAL TAN AND HE WHO IS A MEMBER OF MY TRIBE

That would be John Boehner and Eric Cantor the new leaders of the U.S. House. I already was predicting how awful it was going to be seeing these two on a regular basis but in a few short days, they have already exceeded my worst fears. Let's roll back and/or eliminate health care as a start. And then roll back or eliminate anything which helps the poor, immigrants, kids--but protects those who elected us some of whom are poor immigrants with children.

My hindsight being as perfect as yours, I still think the best approach to health care would have been the following words from Obama: "Here is Medicaid and here is Medicare. Both allow management by private insurers. Our new health care system will allow you to be in one or the other of those groups. I will delegate Secretary Sibelius responsibility to come up with regulations." The bill was in fact too complicated and too long even if it is correct. My other criticism of the Prez is that he has been too nice in defeat. Still yakking about bi-partisanship when for the next two years, the Republicans are going to do everything they can to insure his defeat in 2012. They will not play nice especially since they believe their obstructionism of the last two years was rewarded. And those of us serious about a two state solution involving Israel will need some tape for Mr. Cantor's mouth who will be the lead apologist for Israel.

Then we have this woman interviewed by the Globe after the election. She was "proud" of the results here and proud to live in Massachusetts. This guy Walsh from Abington who ran the whole thing for the Democrats should be hired again to go after Scottie. Plus Deval has not been so nicey nice (like the Prez) with his opponent. Hasn't met with him and is not sure he will. He has bee justifiably feisty. Good for him and thanks to Cahill for siphoning some votes off of Baker. Maybe Charlie can go to the Kennedy School whee a lot of ex-pols hide out until they get some fat offers. And I loved every angry word out of Barney's mouth.

Can someone please tell me what Russ Feingold did wrong? He got clobbered out there in Wisconsin which is normally more or less a liberal state. This could have been much worse--Washington, Colorado, and West Virginia were squeakers. Losing them would have been disastrous. I still believe running away from Obama as many Dems did was wrong and chicken shit. They should have run forcefully with his congressional victories and not been so shy about it. But what do I know?

Not one Halloweener for us. Saving millions on calories and dollars not buying any candy. It is, however, Barbara's national holiday so she went with Oliver and Lilli to trick or treat in Brookline--I watched the Pats.

SPORTS

Speaking of which, they looked invincible beating the Vikings and then threw a stinker yesterday which exposed all their flaws--especially the passivity of their offense in the first half. And Wes Welker is not the answer to their kicking game. If Gostokowski is out for awhile, they better find someone. Brady looks off and I am not one of those big moss fans but some receiver needs to step up and get free.

Richrod out there in Ann Arbor celebrated his triple OT win like he won the national championship. Their defense sucks. You don't get 676 (!) yards in total offense and still give up 65 points. Let him go.

Sooner or later, Rajon Rondo will come back to earth but right now he is playing out of his mind. And still forces things a bit much. This Turkish guy (from Istanbul!)is looking good and Marquis Daniels seems to have undergone some sort of transplant. The bench is much better than last years and Garnett is jumping like before his injury. Not sure they beat Miami or the Lakers but last nights game in Oklahoma was a strong one.

That's about it. Good luck, Charles.

Sayonara.