Random thoughts...

- Still more egg on my face. After months of arguing in Iran's favor concerning its right to develop nuclear power for peaceful civilian use, I've been shaken awake by an escalating series of reprehensible statements flowing out of Tehran. When even the Palestinians condemn Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's infantile threats against Israel, the time has come to face facts. I stand corrected.

- The New York Times offers this report on the continuing woes of the Bush Presidency. Of course, what struck me as most depressing here was the acknowledgement, in stark black and white, that there are still 39 months remaining under his reign.

- No surprise that this year's World Series had the lowest television ratings ever. Maybe MLB should try broadcasting games at a more reasonable hour, so American families could once again share the Fall Classic with their children. If baseball games continue to be televised only during "grownup hours", thereby excluding the most loyal and impressionable of potential followers, the sport should naturally expect a steady erosion of its fan base.

- Three cheers for South Central neighborhood activists in Los Angeles, who successfully pressured Paramount Pictures to remove gun-glorifying posters for 50 Cent's upcoming movie from their community. I wonder if Wayne LaPierre will favor us with another stupid statement anytime soon.

- Poor Tom DeLay. Seems he has so little evidence in his defense that he has to stick to his smear campaign against any Liberal court officer who tries to punish wrongdoers. And here I thought Conservatives were rabidly in favor of law and order.

- And finally, Europeans are coming out en masse against the celebration of Halloween, calling it a "bad American habit" and a "manifestation of neo-paganism." C'mon, guys - lighten up. While I, too, deplore the senseless vandalism that is increasingly associated with this holiday, I think you're looking at this all wrong. Let's face it - our children terrify us in a thousand different ways every single day. With a little creativity, Halloween is the one glorious opportunity that exists each year for parents everywhere to exact a bit of payback, and scare the Hell out of the little buggers without fear of prosecution...