Yes, I know - some of you think I don’t update you enough about what’s going on in Adamland. And yes, I know - some of you really couldn’t care less about that sort of thing and wish I’d just stick to items of general interest. And yes, I know - some of you wish this site contained more information about rare skin conditions.
Today, I will address all of your concerns.
- It looks like there won’t be any indictments in the CIA leak investigation today. Probably not, anyway. Though apparently Dick Cheney has already had Scooter Libby’s legs broken (see photo). So there’s a clue there.
- My latest adventure in TV at an end, I’ll be returning to “Wait Wait” this week, recording a show in Springfield, IL tomorrow night. People of Springfield, prepare! [Just make sure there’s plenty of ice.]
- Porphyria is actually a term for at least eight separate and distinct diseases, ranging from serious to easily-managed conditions, and treatments for the different conditions vary widely. If for instance you’ve inherited protoporphyria, you must be very careful about exposing yourself to direct sunlight.
- My first novel, “Schrodinger’s Ball,” approaches publication. Only six months or so to go now. I’ve seen some cover art and I’ve received some blurbs. I’ve done some quick calculations and realized that if every regular reader of this site buys between 50 and 100 copies, it will be a runaway bestseller. So… I’m counting on you.
- Conservative groups have begun airing anti-Harriet Miers ads. People on the left have been increasingly quiet about the whole thing, especially after today’s revelation that she might be pro-choice. The Felbnalysis? She’s not. Do I want her nomination withdrawn? No way. These hearings are going to be the best political entertainment since “Alan Cranston’s Vaudeville Variety Hour.” (ABC, 1973)
- Surprisingly little is known about Incontinentia Pigmenti, a genetic disorder with varying manifestations. There are ways to begin self-diagnosis, though: Do you have an extra nipple? You may have IP.
All right, is everryone satisfied?
Fanny Roborat
41 comments
Mary
October 26, 2005 at 2:53 pm
1Adam-
While your updates are most welcome they are a bit “sparse”. To assist you:
What is Incontinentia Pigmenti?
Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) is one of a group of gene-linked diseases known as neurocutaneous disorders. These disorders cause characteristic patterns of discolored skin and also involve the brain, eyes, nails, and hair. In most cases, IP is caused by mutations in a gene called NEMO (NF-kappaB essential modulator). Males are more severely affected than females. Discolored skin is caused by excessive deposits of melanin (normal skin pigment). Most newborns with IP will develop discolored skin within the first two weeks. The pigmentation involves the trunk and extremities, is slate-grey, blue or brown, and is distributed in irregular marbled or wavy lines. The discoloration fades with age. Neurological problems include cerebral atrophy, the formation of small cavities in the central white matter of the brain, and the loss of neurons in the cerebellar cortex. About 20% of children with IP will have slow motor development, muscle weakness in one or both sides of the body, mental retardation, and seizures. They are also likely to have visual problems, including crossed eyes, cataracts, and severe visual loss. Dental problems are also common, including missing or peg-shaped teeth. A related disorder, incontinentia pigmenti achromians, features skin patterns of light, unpigmented swirls and streaks that are the reverse of IP. Associated neurological problems are similar.
Facts, man. We want facts ;-D
Allison in Santa Cruz
October 26, 2005 at 3:32 pm
2Oh! Oh! I get it! The theme for Adam’s post today. Wait, there is no theme? Sigh.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to hearing you on the radio this weekend, Adam. You’ve been away for a loooong time. And put me down for 1 copy of Schrodinger’s Ball. I know, I’m supposed to go in for a minimum of 50, but I just can’t swing that kinda cash on a lecturer’s salary.
dee
October 26, 2005 at 3:34 pm
3I LOVE Linda Ronstandt’s version of “Porphyria.”
Turd Blossom
October 26, 2005 at 4:36 pm
4Is porphyria named after Porfirio Diaz?
SeattleDan
October 26, 2005 at 5:51 pm
5Well,Adam,if your publisher is going to tour you for the book,please remember that I’d be pleased to order lots of copies for my independent bookstore in Seattle….if you’ll come do a signing!
Bob
October 26, 2005 at 5:52 pm
6I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than Porphyria. Anyway, that’s how I feel about it.
madbard
October 26, 2005 at 6:43 pm
7we demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
cooper
October 26, 2005 at 6:43 pm
8Adam, satisfied? HELL NO!! NEVER! As far as ice goes, you’re going to Illinois in late October - there’ll be ice; just watch your step.
BTW, my surly, minimally communicative 16 year old is named Adam. Do I get a discount on the book?
Ann
October 26, 2005 at 8:17 pm
9SeattleDan, where’s your bookstore? I’ll want to buy all my copies there! (And who else amongst the Adamites is from Seattle?)
gaber
October 26, 2005 at 8:17 pm
10You should change “Adamland” to either “Adamstan” or “Adamadad”. They both have a better ring to them, as well as add a middle-eastern flair. I haven’t a clue as to why you might want to add a middle-eastern flair, but it sounds so much more international, and given America’s fixation on the middle-east, more contemporary. Of course you can always go with Felberstan and Felbersdad. I believe the suffix “stan” is more all encompassing and perhaps more analagous to “land”.
SeattleDan
October 26, 2005 at 9:00 pm
11Hi Ann. My bookstore is in the central district on 23rd and Jackson. I call it Jackson Street Books,oddly enough. It would be very cool to get Adam to sign books at my shop,the anti-Barnes and Noble.
Ann
October 26, 2005 at 9:39 pm
12OK, Adam–you have to show up at Dan’s bookstore for a book-signing. I promise we’ll show you a terrific time in Seattle.
ice weasel
October 26, 2005 at 9:48 pm
1350 copies? How about I buy one, steal the other 99? I mean, it’s all tracked by reorders right? Not by across the counter scans?
I look forward to hearing you back on WWDT.
And keep in mind planning that book tour, Lancaster, Pennsylvania is a great place. No book stores mind you, but still…
Ok, we have an enormous BN, but that doesn’t count. I’m San Francisco, that city has bookstores. Sigh…
Deborah
October 26, 2005 at 11:16 pm
14What with the return of inflation, high gas prices and unemployment (and bellbottoms? and White House cover ups? Hey, if this is the 70’s how come I’m so old?) I can’t afford 50-100 copies of your new book. But I’ll put a hold on a copy at the Multnomah County Library and that will make them buy more copies, right?
tess
October 27, 2005 at 3:01 am
15Wait, tell me more about porphyria! I think I have a rash and I need to self-diagnose, damn it!
Vinft
October 27, 2005 at 9:10 am
16Don’t change “Adamland” to “Adamstan”! With all of the administration’s troubles, having a “stan” on your name is a sure ticket to a distracting military intervention (Cheney called and wants to know if you have any oil in your pantry - we’ve got to prevent sources of bio-diesel from falling into the hands of terrorists).
Harold
October 27, 2005 at 10:24 am
17Oh, dear. Harriet Miers just declined her nomination to the Supreme Court. Now it gets ugly.
And I think I’m getting a rash…
David
October 27, 2005 at 10:35 am
18The hard right has succeeded. Miers has withdrawn her name, Bush has been driven into a corner by the hard right regarding the Supreme Court, and once again, we are well and truly fucked. We were only partially fucked by the Miers nomination. We are going to wind up with a late 19th century majority on the court before this is over with, UNLESS Kennedy shifts to the middle and a Democrat takes the White House in ‘08.
Perhaps the hammering of the Miers nomination by the hard right will at least make it possible for Democrats to fillibuster effectively, meaning raise the consciousness of Joe Sixpack regarding what the hell is actually going on (I’m assuming Joe Sixpack doesn’t really want to go back to the Gilded Age). Be nice to see some real backbone and some willingness to battle unflinchingly on the part of Democrats.
Harold
October 27, 2005 at 11:58 am
19I seem to recall that the Republicans had affirmed last November a commitment to ensuring that all of Dubya’s nominees got an up-or-down vote.
‘Additionally, the chairman, explained Frist, should not only “have a strong predisposition to supporting that nominee sent over by President Bush…to a Republican Judiciary Committee,” but also “on the floor of the United States Senate.”
‘Frist said the chairman also has the duty to ensure every one of the President’s judicial nominees receive an up-or-down vote. He discussed the possibility of the “nuclear option,” which would prevent filibusters by only requiring a majority vote of 51 to pass a judicial nominee…’
http://www.christianpost.com/dbase/society/1173/section/1.htm
(Or, if that link doesn’t work, just go here:
http://anothermonkey.blogspot.com/2004/11/more-on-death-of-checks-and- balances.html )
So I guess the rules have changed.
Murray
October 27, 2005 at 2:04 pm
20Harold
For Republicans the rules are; say what ever will get you what you want at the time and ignore it later.
You are asking for them to make sense, or be consistant? Talk about dropping your bucket down a dry well.
Pete IVDL
October 27, 2005 at 7:28 pm
21Adam, Schrödinger had 100 balls? What’s that called, testicular republicanism? By the way, we have a bookstore here in Oz. Oh. Sorry, we had a bookstore here… it’s now called Amazon.
Hey, that’s an idea - if a promo tour is too much of a hassle, you could just do a pseudointerview and post it on the Amazon site. (Welcome to the Information Age). You wouldn’t even have to leave home!
Mary, I thought you were being funny about Bush, but then it got serious. Bush doesn’t have seizures. (Does he?)
Coop, have you heard of the “Bunghole Theory” of raising kids? You get a big winebarrel, when your child stops being cute (about age 12 or 13, apparently) you put them in the winebarrel and put on the lid. Then, when they turn 18, you hammer in the bung. (You can tell I don’t have kids - it makes righteous indignation about kids’ behaviour soooo much simpler! Mind you, we’ve been put in at least 2 of our family’s wills as preferential guardians for their kids, so we might get a chance to practice what we preach yet!)
Murray, Murray, Murray. You are so cynical. It’s not just Republicans who do that - don’t forget New Labour, CDU, Liberals, National Party, Vladimir Putin, Arnie, Vicente Fox, the Social Democrats, Kim Jong Il, in fact any politician in power or trying to get in power. That’s the only reason I trust the small parties like the Greens or the Australian Democrats - they’ve got bugger-all chance of ruling the country, so they don’t bullshit so much!
Murray
October 27, 2005 at 9:27 pm
22Pete,
Well, Excuuuuuuse me.
(P.S. You have to be an expatriate to know this much about Merica. Either that or you’re a stalker).
Coop,
Having had kids, I can say you are just entering the “Hell Zone”. For the next 6 or 7 years, your kid(s) will do what they can to destroy you, by destroying their own lives. If (IF) they get through these years, more or less intact, they become your best friends. (Nothing is better).
The true reward is having grandchildren! All the fun of kids and none of the work or responsibility!
Grandchildren are your reward for not having killed your own kids! (No matter how much it would have felt good at the time).
historyenne
October 27, 2005 at 10:09 pm
23Hey, madbard, nice Hitchhiker reference.
hedera
October 27, 2005 at 10:12 pm
24Pete, you should give credit where it’s due: the “bunghole theory” of raising boys (it’s gender specific) originated with America’s own and inimitable Mark Twain. The version I’ve always heard goes: You raise the boy in a barrel, and you feed him through the bunghole. At the age of 17, you drive in the bung…
I don’t have any kids, but I’ve watched a lot of people go through it. Some do better than others. My neighbors’ teenagers actually speak to their parents (as much as they speak to anyone).
Is Adam going to Podcast his book signing? I gather Podcasting is the hot new thing. (I don’t have an IPOD, either.)
cooper
October 27, 2005 at 10:37 pm
25Pete, too late for the wine barrel I’m afraid, but I can certainly see the widsom in it.
Murray, I have a 19 year old daughter who is in the Hell Zone - BiPolar, repeatedly pierced and freshly tatooed. She has an apartment with friends and only comes by the house when she’s in a good mood. I think everyone is happier now. We help her with the bills, so she’ll keep going to the community college nearby. Maybe she’ll get the academic fire in the belly again someday. Time will tell.
Hedera, my experience with teens is that, when they are civil to parents, they need money.
Sharon
October 28, 2005 at 8:37 am
26As we all hold our breath waiting to see who, if anyone, will take the fall for the Bush White House leak of the identity of Joseph Wilson’s wife, NPR had the gall to replay some choice Bush sound bites from the 2000 campaign about doing “not just the legal thing, but the right thing.” As I listened, I became more and more enraged. I want to see the M*****F***** have to eat all those words! (Pardon my French, but I am so fed up.)
Landis
October 28, 2005 at 10:59 am
27So, only Mr. Libby and not even perjury, but ‘providing false testimony’.
Why, why, why… do I ever let myself get my hopes up?!
Sharon
October 28, 2005 at 12:55 pm
28“Perjury”, yes! Sleep well tonight, George..
——————————————————————————–
October 28, 2005
Aide to Cheney Is Indicted on 5 Counts in C.I.A. Leak Case
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice presidential adviser I. Lewis “Scooter’ Libby Jr. was indicted Friday on charges of obstruction of justice, making a false statement and perjury in the CIA leak case.
Karl Rove, President Bush’s closest adviser, apparently escaped indictment Friday but remained under investigation, his legal status a looming political problem for the White House.
The indictments stem from a two-year investigation by special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald into whether Rove, Libby or any other administration officials knowingly revealed the identity of CIA agent Valerie Plame or lied about their involvement to investigators.
Copyright 2005 The New York Times Company Home Privacy Policy Search Corrections XML Help Contact Us Work for Us Site Map Back to Top
Harold
October 28, 2005 at 1:01 pm
29Ehhh, what do we expect, anyway? Karl Rove will continue to play a role in the Bush administration, regardless of if he is suspected, indicted, or convicted of any wrondoing. And the Bush administration will carry on with its agenda, and Grover Norquist’s agenda, and the far-right’s agenda. Nothing much will change until the makeup of the Legislative and Executive branches is changed.
Sharon
October 28, 2005 at 1:03 pm
30Harold, I just wanna hear Bush say, “There is no controlling legal authority…”
Sharon
October 28, 2005 at 1:06 pm
31Ditto for Tom DeLay, Bill Frist, Karl Rove, and the whole stinking lot of ‘em.
Leslie
October 28, 2005 at 1:44 pm
32It’s true that Rove hasn’t been indicted, but have you noticed that while his attention has been diverted by his own legal troubles, Bush’s political strategy has suffered? And it appears that Rove will have to continue giving a considerable amount of his attention to his own legal case. What a shame! I guess those approval ratings will just continue to tumble.
Harold
October 28, 2005 at 2:06 pm
33Yes, as long as Rove is actively distracted, his powers are weak. (Or maybe not: I still think the Miers thing may have been a brilliant Rovian plot to ramrod an ultra-conservative ideologue post-Miers nominee onto the Supreme Court.) But eventually all this will come to an end and Rove will be back at full steam, even if he’s just sneaking messages out of a prison cell. (Unless we can fix him up with a cell like Magneto had at the end of X-Men [the movie].)
waterfowler
October 28, 2005 at 2:16 pm
34Rove wasn’t indicted because he probably asked the prosecuter what the definition of “is” is?
Y’alls news-pukes are giddy. (that is actually proper English in East Tree Stump). Sorry to see y’all so glum. I’m a little giddy too because hunting season opens soon. Don’t care much about Scooter. Never heard of him until a couple of weeks ago. As long as we can sweep the SCOTUS…..
Harold
October 28, 2005 at 3:00 pm
35Waterfowler, which hunting season? (I’m guessing duck. Totally wild guess.) ‘Round here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, “hunting season” is synonymous with “deer hunting season”, and that doesn’t start until the end of November.
waterfowler
October 28, 2005 at 3:30 pm
36Harold,
Down here, dove & teal start in Sept. Duck & goose around Halloween, and deer usually early Nov. to early Jan. Of course, in the middle of this state (travis co.), it’s always open season on republicans. Good luck on the deer, I know y’all grow ‘em big up there.
Harold
October 28, 2005 at 3:42 pm
37Oh, I don’t hunt. I generally try to avoid hitting the deer when they run in front of my Toyota Tercel. If I hit one I would probably destroy my car, and make the deer very angry.
Pete IVDL
October 28, 2005 at 6:04 pm
38O! A Deer! An Enraged Deer!
Sharon, calm down, easy girl, there, there, shhh. You don’t have to use all those stars - you can say “mother fucker” here, we all speak French! And even if you don’t mention POTUS by name, just like Newton, “the lion is known by his claw”. * I don’t believe I just compared Bush the Misbegotten Moron with one of mankind’s most brilliant minds… please don’t tell anyone.
Harold, I’m with you. It seemed like Miers’ nomination, subsequent “outing” by the press, and finally her lickety-splitting withdrawal to the Republican chorus of “Bring on the Gimp!” was sooooo staged, it’s not funny. Even the press and the Democrats’ hearts weren’t in it, you could tell.
Leslie
October 28, 2005 at 11:11 pm
39Still, can you imagine Bush allowing Rove to stage his failure? And isn’t that how he would view it? The public widely disapproving of his choice for the Supreme Court. Georgie does not - DOES NOT - like criticism of his decisions. Personally, I don’t think Rove had anything to do with the choice of Miers. I think it was Bush’s supreme arrogance at work. It’s entirely possible that I’m naive and that it was all staged, but I think the Democrats were relatively quiet because they could see that the Republicans weren’t going to approve the nomination anyway.
hedera
October 29, 2005 at 3:04 pm
40I’d like to think the Dems sat relatively tight on the Miers nomination because they have studied Napoleon, who is reputed to have remarked, “Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake”…
But that would imply that the Democrats think, and even study history, for which there’s little other evidence.
David
October 29, 2005 at 9:08 pm
41Florida 14 Georgia 10