This site has now opened comments on almost all posts, including for anonymous or pseudonymous posters. Comments stay open for a few days after a post’s publication, and then close automatically. That’s new; for the site’s first four years, there were no generally open comments, with the exception of a weekly post on most Fridays.…

Here’s a poll and comment forum topic for the weekend of Christmas: What’s your favorite holiday film? I’ve a poll with a few choices, and a comment form below. Some of the poll choices come from a list of top Christmas films at Collider.com. <a href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/5785242/”>Favorite Holiday Film</a>I’ll put in my pitch for Elf: it’s…

For Christmas or Hanukkah, what was your favorite toy? Here’s a poll with some choices from the 50 most popular Christmas toys from the last 100 years, and a space for comments below. My favorite, of all time: a finely-crafted product from Tonka. Favorite Holiday Toy?

What's your favorite Christmas book? I've a poll with a few choices from a list on Amazon, and a forum for comments on your own favorite (those or others). As always, comments are moderated only against tolls and profanity. Otherwise, have at it. <a xhref="http://polldaddy.com/poll/5744441/" mce_href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/5744441/">Favorite Christmas Book</a>

It’s December — already — and Thanksgiving’s just a pleasant memory. However enjoyable that day (and it is), there are (to my knowledge) no popular Thanksgiving songs. Thanksgiving is a quiet holiday. The same cannot be said of Christmas (a naturally more exuberant holiday), or anything in December, for that matter. This is not a…

Beyond recalls, or any recent election, consider this simple question: Would you ever run for governor? Good year, bad year, any year: would you venture that campaign? In my own case, I’ve no ambition for any political office, let alone a statewide one. (I am also reminded of William F. Buckley’s quip when he ran…

Here’s a meteorological poll: When will Whitewater see its first accumulated snowfall this year? Let’s say accumulated means at least one inch – less would just be a dusting. When will that much snow first stick on the ground? The National Weather Service has an online archive of past Wisconsin snowfall data at the ready.…

Ok, smart readers: here’s a question about smartphones. (‘Smart readers’: that’s all of you, with the exception of anyone visiting who thinks Whitewater’s Tax Incremental District 4 has actually been managed well.) I use an Android phone, and it’s one in a series of Android phones I’ve used since the launch of that operating system.…

One game’s left in the World Series, after which winter begins. Having arrived at a seventh game in the most improbable way, how will this series end? Fan video from Game 6, bottom of ninth: Below is a poll that will remain open until game time, and a form for comments that will stay up…

Here’s a video of the gallery of Wisconsin’s Assembly, where spectators are being removed for wearing 8.5 x 11 inch pieces of paper taped to their shirts. Silent, peaceful citizens, sitting with messages, removed for displaying written words on their clothing. Mere words. Leaving aside Rep. Kessler’s legal justification (whether their rights in this case…

Bucky Badger’s in a new ESPN commercial, embedded below (h/t Althouse). Looking at the commercial, where do you think Bucky goes wrong (assuming you think he goes wrong at all)? Multiple answers are possible. What’s Bucky mistake in an ESPN Commercial? So, what do you think? The post will remain open until Sunday morning. Comments…

If fewer Americans by percentage own homes, is owning a home still part of the American Dream? Three quick assumptions: (1) there is an American Dream, a set of goals most people in this society have, (2) that set of goals includes (or included) home ownership, and (3) those goals may be common even if…