Just returned from SiCKO. Mr. Moore was in attendance, basking in furious applause and autograph requests after the show.

It's an unbelievably infuriating and moving and funny movie. After F 9/11, I left motivated, to change the Bush regime. After this one, I don't know.

In it, Moore asks us, "Who are we?" What kind of country are we, to let all this go on?

Right now, I'm just pissed, that for all our flag-waving and patriotism and talk about American "values," really, we are all just full of shit. We let people go sick, and we let people die. All in the name of the Almighty Dollar.

That's the real American value. Money.

That's got to change.

While ges has a symphony of nature outside his house, I, too, have a symphony.

It's hardly nature, or even natural. It's a man-made cacophony. Noise. Bordering on noise pollution, maybe.

It's fire trucks, and garbage trucks, and 18-wheelers, laying on the horn. It's the beep-beep-beep of delivery vans, backing up into a spot. It's the rumble of the subway train, followed by the s c r e e e e e e c h of the brakes as it stops at the station.

It's the police, crowds of cop cars, escorting some big-wig downtown.

It's the EMT, sirens full blast, rushing to save another life.

It's the cabbies. Man, don't get me started on the f*&king cabbies.

It's the homeless guys on the corner, arguing about whatever they argue about every morning.

It's the party people, the drunken masses out every night, flashy clothes and cigarettes lit.

It's dogs barking, the Pugs and the Boston terriers having it out, showing the Great Danes and the Pitbulls just who's boss.

You notice it all when you first move here. It's jarring.

Abrupt.

Piercing.

You lay in bed, that first night, gazing, listening, wondering just why in hell you ever thought this was a good idea...

But then, after a short while, something remarkable happens. The noise blurs; it shifts, it fades. It all becomes part of the background. What was the rumble of the train now takes on an almost imperceptible feeling -- it's no longer the sound but the vibrations you notice, a slight shift in the floor, like a subwoofer from below.

The city's orchestra is always there. It's a comfort. A crutch.

Always on, always playing the same tune. You notice now when it's not, anytime you stay somewhere else, wherever it's quiet at night. (Damn! Can't sleep -- TOO quiet!)

Like I commented over in ges's blog, sometime I'm envious of something much more...soothing. To hear owls and doves, boy, that would be great.

But for now, this is home.

I'll be listening to my symphony a bit longer.

Anyone else?

I voted against going to war in Iraq; I have consistently challenged the administration's conduct of the war; and I have long fought to change our policy there. But I cannot vote to stop funding the troops while they are in harm's way, conducting dangerous missions such as those recently begun north of Baghdad.

The other Democrats will hurt the troops. Nice.

One way to try to change course is to stop funding for the war, which sends the wrong message to the troops and won't pass in Congress. The better way to change course, an option that is also more likely to succeed, is to place in law a requirement that the president do so.

Another smear.

Here's what Feingold had to say:

“I’m pleased that Senator Levin and Senator Jack Reed have finally come to the conclusion that a timetable for redeployment with a hard deadline is what we need to safely redeploy our troops from Iraq,” Mr. Feingold said in a statement. “I’m disappointed that Senator Levin chose to announce his shift by disingenuously suggesting that the Feingold-Reid plan would somehow cut funding for troops in harm’s way.”

Yes, Senator Levin.

Just stop it.

So, Paula Zahn is out at CNN. Personally, I think it's because she hates birds. Karma, you know.

Campbell Brown's set to replace her, but, it won't matter. Not sure what kind of show it will be; perhaps her loyal Bushie husband will have some input? Either way, my guess is, it will be crap.

Here's a suggestion: Present us the news. Take the time to dissect an issue each night. Do follow-ups. Go out and report. Think.

Not a chance in hell, huh?

Hey, New Yorkers.

Friday night. Get tickets.

Opening one week early.