a memo

Dear Sen. Deeds --

Congratulations on your victory in the Virginia Democratic primary contest for governor. A couple of weeks ago an awful lot of people hadn't heard of you -- in fact my friend datlowen and I had a conversation in which he said "Well, there are two serious candidates running," and after determining which two he meant, I said "So you mean two serious candidates and the guy endorsed by the Washington Post?" -- so I'm glad, even though I've crossed the river, that you rose up and defeated Terry McCarpetbag, and I think you've got a real shot in November. Mazel tov.

But listen, maybe you can deliver the following notice to the Department of Taxation: dudes, when I'm on hold, I know it's because all of your operators are busy. I appreciate the occasional break in the muzak to let me know someone will be with me shortly, but the key word there is occasional. Three bars of bad synth-jazz is not long enough before you click in again to ask me if I knew you had a website. I'm not wild about sitting on hold for long periods, but if I'm going to sit on hold, I'd rather be holding than be repeatedly teased, you know?

Thank you for your attention.

things that are not okay: antisemitism, violence, violent antisemitism

There was a shooting a little less than an hour ago at the Holocaust Museum here in DC. Person opened fire at a security guard, and other guards returned fire; the shooter was apparently wounded, but it's not clear whether s/he is included in the three people currently reported to have been shot. [eta: Apparently not - so, four people with gunshot wounds, one of whom is the one who started it.] Scope of injuries also not clear. Who? Why? There's not a lot to know, yet.

Stay safe, everyone.

things that are not okay - update

Looks like initial reports that three people had been shot were mistaken, and it's just the security guard and the shooter who were wounded. Shooter is an 89-year-old white supremacist, according to MSNBC -- quelle surprise.

why do i even.

Remind me, will you, please, that there is nothing to be gained and a great deal of sanity and composure to be lost by wading into the comment section on a WaPo "blog" (a word I continue to think the mainstream media shouldn't be allowed to use to refer to their online-only content, but that's a quibble for another day). Today's best suggestion is that being in favor of gun control and generally suspicious of gun owners in (very, very broad) general and NRA members in (more) particular is just as bad as being antisemitic.

You know, I didn't even see it coming? Bah.

and

The security guard has died.

observation

When you are in Whole Foods, and you have retrieved the salad greens and sushi you came in for and decided not to buy apples at this time, and then you find yourself saying "do I need toasted coconut marshmallows?" and "ooh, Jarlsberg!" and "hmm, that sweet and sour tofu looks good", it means it is time to go home and eat the sushi, because the only time sweet and sour tofu looks good is when you are very hungry indeed.