I point out, once again, that what is best for humankind is not necessarily profitable. There is a fundamental disconnect between the finest performance of capitalism, and the well-being of the people. In the past, we used our Federal Government to fill the gap. Unfashionable, post-Contract with America. We suffer as a result.

 — Garrett at Dangerousmeta, on the flu vaccine shortage.

The rest of the world is largely convinced that George W. Bush is an ignorant malevolent jackass. Here’s a story by way of highlight; we recently had an old friend over for dinner, and we were talking over the US election and he burst out “Americans are decent people and I like them, but if they go and re-elect that #!^!% #$!%* &@!$%!, there’s just no excuse and the #!%$ with ’em!