The Elder Protocols of Zion, 21st Century Edition...

Glenn Beck was in a fine mood this morning. He had his blackboard out and was showing the world how the unrest in Egypt is part of the "progressive agenda" to bring down capitalism. He stated blandly that just weeks before the manure hit the fan in Egypt, progressive elements were holding a large conference in Egypt, teaching their fellow travelers how to have an uprising. "Capitalism will not go peacefully. The Marxists know it!" Beck thundered. "You have to see it on a map. We'll have it on the website later today. You have to see it on. the. map. The places where these uprisings are happening are not coincidental. It's all a part of the plan. These are places that have oil. And when the price of oil goes through the roof, capitalism will fall to its knees. That's what these progressive have been waiting for!"

Beck also said that it was "unfair" for some Democratic senator to compare the Fox News "big lie" strategy with that of Goebels, because the Nazis didn't invent the technique-- American progressives did! The Nazis were just more honest and courageous in its use, I guess.

All of this "there's a worldwide conspiracy to bring down freedom and democracy and capitalism, and every world event shows it!" stuff might be trite by now (and Beck's numbers are now half what they were a year ago, although having 1.6 million watchers is still respectable), but you have to see Andrew Brietbart's web site, "Big Peace" where they're also reporting that the Obama administration dispatched Bill Ayers to Cairo to foment revolution and give rise to an Islamic Caliphate. Another writer pointed out that lefties hate America, and as evidence added that "the homosexual" Michael Foucalt praised the Ayatollah over the Shah in 1979, thus raising the Pink Swastika dogwhistle.

This is the noise machine that informs our electorate. Charming, eh?

He spoke "Man."

In my eternal quest for the perfect shave, I stopped by the Bellvue Shopping Center on the way home the other day to drop in on Excalibur, one of the few places I know that carries Colonel Conk, my preferred brand of soap. I was reminded as I arrived that JenK had recommended an alternative in the same shopping center, so I stopped by The Art of Shaving instead.

The very gay establishment near my office does not carry safety blades. The Art of Shaving, however, does indeed have "the kind of clientele who use that sort of thing, hmm." Not only that, but the proprietor of the place said (note: "said") he was a safety razor man himself, and even asked if I store my razor in mineral oil.

Good heavens, he spoke "man."

In the end, his excellent salesmanship sold me on a cake of sandalwood shaving soap, that's actually very nice in quality. I spent probably twice what I would have at Excalibur, and got about twice as much soap out of the deal. We shall see if it lasts as long as he claimed.