There's something spooky out in the sky tonight, and it's not a witch.  A tiny, dim comet apparently underwent a millionfold increase in brightness and is now visible by the naked eye if you know where to look.

http://www.astronomy.com/as...

Although I'm not buying the Jack'o'lantern picture:

http://www.spaceweather.com...

I wanted to post something about the Great Dumbledore Outing but, being a non-genuflecting type since leaving the Roman Catholic Church, I obviously can't say it in the presence of intellectual cowardice.

But I will repeat the question here which was deleted there:  What specific action does Albus Dumbledore take, in any of the seven Harry Potter books, that makes him an unfit guardian "in loco parentis" for the students at Hogwarts?  What transgression makes him worse as a role model than the bureaucratic and officious Dolores Umbridge, to name just one example (and who, by the way, *ALSO* insists on genuflection from those in her presence).

If tomorrow JK Rowling should get before the television cameras and say "so sorry--it was all a mistake.  I meant to say Mad-Eye Moody was gay," would the screams of outrage die out as folks told themselves "well, Dumbledore was a good guy after all."

A single remark by the author about a fictional character's *BACKGROUND* and a hundred twenty years of good behavior on the part of that character must be re-examined for moral turpitude?  How do those complaining about Dumbledore's outing differ from the fictional parents who forced Lupin from his teaching post for being a werewolf--a moral and courageous one who took steps to avoid harm to his students, but a werewolf nonetheless?

There's a reason it's called "homophobia."  The merest mention, the merest hint that someone, somewhere might be gay strikes some people with the most abject terror.  If it's not accompanied by derogatory remarks it must be "promotion."

Rowling herself said that the underlying message in the Potter series is one of tolerance.  Tolerance even for the werewolves if they care for their fellow men.  Dumbledore surely isn't perfect--he shows his fallibility time and again, as when he tries to use the Second Hallow though he knows better.  But he admits his mistakes to his students and that is worth all the infallibility in the world.   His love for others is certainly not one of his mistakes. 

Hooray for JK Rowling and double hooray for Dumbledore.  Wherever he dwells now, I hope he finally got the thick woolen socks he wished for.  

Richard Mellon Scaife battles in costly divorce.  Why, oh why no prenup?  The temporary alimony is about three-quarters of a million dollars a *MONTH*:

http://www.washingtonpost.c...

Frank Rich of the New York Times charts the corruption enmeshed in the American occupation of Iraq, as highlighted by the deaths by suicide of those who found they couldn't participate any longer.

"Suicide is Not Painless"

http://www.nytimes.com/2007...

See, I don't only post negative things about the current Administration.  When they get one right, I post that, too.  This one appears to have escaped the notice of the "liberal media," too, so I pass it along.

IED terrorist convicted, gets 40 years:

http://cliffschecter.braven...

Five Steps towards Overcoming Shame Over Having Voted for George W. Bush

1.  Admit that you're a fallible human being who made a mistake.  Twice?  Sheesh.  That's overdoing it, don't you think?

2.  Admit that you're capable of admitting a mistake, unlike that guy you voted for.  Even if only to yourself.

3.  Brace yourself for incessant hounding, denunciation and stalking by the bitter-end 25% who still haven't seen the light.  For tips on coping, check with twelve-year-old Graeme Frost:

http://ezraklein.typepad.co...

4.  Console yourself that up to 75 percent of Americans are on your side, even if some of them--like you--are recent converts.

5.  Remember that your Act of Contrition is not complete until you do penance.  That penance will come due in November, 2008.  If you're tempted to vote for a Republican--*ANY* Republican--remind yourself what a horrible, horrible mistake it was last time.  Do your country proud.  If you can't bring yourself to vote for a Democratic candidate--and believe me, we've all had that feeling--at least learn from your mistakes.

Zeus knows George W. Bush can't.