don't spank it when it brings you back

Camels hold grudges? Giving Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht a daily run for their money.

E-mail of the week:

I must say that my attitude has improved noticeably this week, vis-a-vis the national political scene. The "macaca" charade just proves the the metaphysical laws of karma are still somewhat functional. Allen's concession speech practically brought me to the verge of tears, but not for the same reason that he was also on the same verge (what is a verge, anyway?).

Three weeks ago there was a Democratic rally in Kauai which I didn't attend because I was working in Kauai at the time. However, I found that as I took my frequent flier upgraded $19 seat in the first row of a plane back to Honolulu onto which I was the last to board, I was seated just across the aisle and next to a distinguished gentleman who had been at the rally and was now smiling at me. I like to think that he recognized me from other rallies I have attended and at election headquarters for various Mink and Abercrombie campaigns I have worked in.

I reached across the aisle and grabbed his left arm (the only one he has), and asked, "Senator [Inouye], just one question ... horrible president or the worst one ever?"

He burst into a giant grin, put his head back, closed his eyes and said, "Worst in memory!"

I replied, "This guy makes Nixon look good, doesn't he?"

"He makes Nixon look like a socialist ... and we would have impeached Nixon had he not resigned," said the senator.

I told him, "Well, hang in there ... you're going to be way more powerful in a few weeks here."

He crossed his figers and made kind of a defiant, victorious "right on!" gesture.

Other people within earshot were cracking up.