I'm pre-partying with a decent single malt scotch for my parent's Christmas gathering.

The challenge is my brother. He moved to Kansas for his last assignment in the Army, married a local and stayed there. He is ultra-conservative even by Kansas standards. A hard-core Trumpster to the last - still convinced HRC ought to be in jail somewhere.

I don't know what happened to him. He was raised better. Our mother was a Democratic county office holder. Our father is a die-hard Democrat. It must be the water in Kansas.

I rarely get through any visit with him without a political argument but I really don't need that tonight.

Dona nobis pacem.

He's having a ball with his "big board!"

The old-timers here in Arkansas say that back in the Faubus years, you couldn't find anyone who would admit to having voted for the guy and yet he won handily election after election.

I suspect that an Alabama voter called by a pollster would not admit to planning to vote for Moore but when s/he gets into the privacy of the voting booth will do so. Wednesday morning, you won't be able to find anyone to admit they voted for Moore and yet he will have been elected by a wide margin.

Yeah, I know. I'm a skeptic.

Dear Lord, for Tuesday's election in Alabama, we pray.

For a good turn out of African-Americans who do not think antebellum America was better than the America of today, we pray to the Lord.

For be a good turn out of decent people of all faiths (and those without faith) who know that preying on Children is disqualifying for public office, we pray to the Lord.

For a good turn out of Republicans who know that if Moore wins, he will be an albatross hung around the neck of the Republican party for years, we pray to the Lord.

For a good turn out of woman who have simply had enough of misogynists and sexual predators in public office, we pray to the Lord.

For a good turn out of Alabamians who do not want to see their State stereotyped, we pray to the Lord.

For a good turn out of people of all political stripes who have had enough of the debasing of American politics, we pray to the Lord.

For your people to reject the blasphemy of your name for political advantage, we pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear our prayer.

Amen.

Feel free to adapt the prayer to match your faith. If you are without faith, be patient with mine.

Velshi & Ruhle ran a story today attacking occupational licensing. In a very one sided story, Velshi & Ruhle gave coverage only to the ALEC spokesman to attack States' occupational licensing.

We have been fighting this battle for Arkansas for four years. Every session, one of the ALEC-purchased legislators introduces legislation to do away with almost all professional and occupational licensing - no licensing for accountants, engineers, architects, etc. The theory is that if an unlicensed electrician burns down a couple houses, the market will take care of it.

There is no question but that States like Arkansas have some licensing requirements that make little sense. The solution is to look at these individually and correct any problems. The solution is not to loose untrained and unqualified people on an unsuspecting public.

Veshi and Ruhle presented only one side of the issue without any examination into what is being attempted by ALEC.

I am a big MSNBC fan - but they blew it this time.

I was raised in South Arkansas and live there now. I had never heard of Curling growing up.

Every four years, Curling comes back on TV and I love it. The skill, the strategy, grown people sweeping ice. . . .

Watching the US Olympic trials. I do love it so.

There I was, minding my own business. Watching Brian Williams while I got my nightly DU fix.

Then, suddenly, and for no apparent reason, Brian Williams starts showing greatest hits from the MSNBC coverage from a year ago late on election night 2016.

Why in the name of Franklin Roosevelt, would anyone at MSNBC think we wanted to relive that moment?

I have been listening to the discussion of General Kelly's statement today and have been distressed. I am a retired Army officer and know that that General Kelly's statement was inconsistent with Army values so I decided to check for what the Marine Corps holds as its core values. The following is from the USMC website: [link:http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/hrom/New-Employees/About-the-Marine-Corps/Values/|

HONOR. This is the bedrock of our character. It is the quality that empowers Marines to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior: to never lie, cheat, or steal; to abide by an uncompromising code of integrity; to respect human dignity; and to have respect and concern for each other. It represents the maturity, dedication, trust, and dependability that commit Marines to act responsibly, be accountable for their actions, fulfill their obligations, and hold others accountable for their actions.

COURAGE. The heart of our Core Values, courage is the mental, moral, and physical strength ingrained in Marines that sees them through the challenges of combat and the mastery of fear, and to do what is right, to adhere to a higher standard of personal conduct, to lead by example, and to make tough decisions under stress and pressure. It is the inner strength that enables a Marine to take that extra step.

COMMITMENT. This is the spirit of determination and dedication within members of a force of arms that leads to professionalism and mastery of the art of war. It promotes the highest order of discipline for unit and self and is the ingredient that instills dedication to Corps and country 24 hours a day, pride, concern for others, and an unrelenting determination to achieve a standard of excellence in every endeavor. Commitment is the value that establishes the Marine as the warrior and citizen others strive to emulate.

I am left to conclude that General Kelly has abandoned his personal honor. He does not have any regard for others. He does not hold others, in this case President Trump, accountable. He does not lead by example. He does not make the tough decisions under stress and pressure.

I am sure that he once held to Marine core values or else he would not have risen to the rank he did. I am profoundly disappointed that he did not hold to those values when it mattered.

He was not "always faithful."

I know that there is an ongoing humanitarian disaster among US citizens in Puerto Rico. I know people are dying in hospitals for want of fuel. I know there are serious shortages of basic supplies like food and water. I know that if something isn't done, this could make Katrina look like a governmental success story.

I know that the US military has an extraordinary heavy lift capacity. I know that there are units in the reserves whose expertise is in managing logistics. I know that if the military logistics resources had been activated when the scope of the problem became clear, the island should be sinking under supplies by now.

So, what am I missing?

He's covering The Eleventh Hour tonight. He has a show of his own but he seems to be covering for someone every day - day and night.

I really like Velshi and worry about him. Is he ever allowed to go home? Does he have a home or just cot at the MSNBC studios? Does he have a family and, if so, when last did he see them?