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US Election Pool III

Don’t forget to get some picks in for the elction pool. I know I said there was a deadline but seeing as the web is full of rightists and I am picking Kerry – and – as it looks like Kerry may actually win…well, I am just looking forward to the gnashing of teeth, the neo-con v. Tory accusations, the chicken little dire predictions.

Most of what you need to know is here at the Electoral Vote Predictor 2004. The rules once again are as follows with my picks as an illustration…

1.  Electoral college overall: 50 points for being spot on, one point lost for every electoral college vote off +/- for the winner. No points for being 50 or over off score. Total 538 so 270 needed to win.

My picks:  I say…um…285 Kerry and 253 Bush. I do not care if that combination is actually possible. Nearness is what matters.

2.  President: 30 points for naming the winner.

My pick: I obviously say Kerry…not because it is obvious he will win but because I gave him the most electoral votes.

3.  Key States: 10 points for picking the winner in the following states correctly – Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maine, Missouri, Colorado.

My picks: Kerry: Florida, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio; Bush: Maine, Colorado.

4.  Senate: 20 points for for being spot on, four points lost for every senate seat off +/- for the final count of the majority.

My picks: 49 Democrats, 50 Republicans and 1 Independent.

5.  Wild card: Pick your own non-Federal race at any level down to local district attorney for an incumbant to lose. 20 points if you picked right.

My picks: hmmm…this is tricky. I think in the 49th District of the New York State Senate, the Democratic Candidate David Valesky is goin’ to Albany!!!

He’s goiing to win because the right has split the vote with both Republican incumbant and Independent Conservative candidates. Has the right learned nothing from Preston Manning???

Did I mention there are prizes? I always give out prizes. More info here and here.

Ne Drubbé Pas


The Beauty

I am getting a life-size statute of Ortiz for my living room and one for portland, too, to stand next to the illuminated full-size goose. I was all prepared for a black bordered bosox cap on the front page of this organ when I heard that in fact we won in the 12th. OK- I fell asleep listening to the game on WTIC 1080. Those waves of propagation are so soothing. Now we are on a role and…oops…Mr. Who’s your Daddy v. Mussina, whose head hovers smilingly to the right. Oh me nerves. Has Derek Lowe reconstituted himself in water? Has he added to the inevitable mid-winter trade value he will bring in?

Ship’s Blog

My interest in canals has been stoked this week with the delivery of Carol Sheriff’s book The Artificial River, about the socio-economic effects of the building and rebuilding Erie Canal from 1817 to 1862. Under a search for “canal blog” I found this wonderful site, Ship’s Blog.

There is something quite heartening knowing I can walk out the door here, get on a boat and sail to Ithaca or Burlington, Vt. I think I am going to have to undertake some canal based explorations of western New York next summer…all, of course, a blatant fraud, a front for the hunting out of micro brewers in the company of the little people but these are the skills that keep you going.