It's serious. About the worst landfall spot it could have, and the eye hitting at high tide.

A summary of a full early-snapshot roundup of Ike that's on my blog:

The refineries? Down for a week if we are all lucky; possibly as much as a month otherwise. Interactive graphic at my site.

Gas prices affected as far away as Chicago.

1.5 million already without power.

Port of Houston, depending on refinery and other damage, could also be shut for a week or more. FYI, it's the second-largest in the country, and largest in terms of import volume.

Tropical storm force expected as far north as up here in Dallas.

Complete with lyrics! (She is "Dazed and Confused," and the GOP might do a double take at how well the last stanza of "Barracuda" actually fits her.

Anyway, at my blog, complete with text lyrics and illustrations, I've got five potential nicknames for her, including Gov. (formerly Mayor) Whazzup, from her dingy looks and the town she presided over; A Real Nowhere Gov (hat tip Beatles and the Bridge to Nowhere); The Whore of Wasilla, per Revelation 18, the MILF and more.

If you're interested, take a look; I've got a poll up, too.

Complete with lyrics! (She is "Dazed and Confused," and the GOP might do a double take at how well the last stanza of "Barracuda" actually fits her.

Anyway, at my blog, complete with text lyrics and illustrations, I've got five potential nicknames for her, including Gov. (formerly Mayor) Whazzup, from her dingy looks and the town she presided over; A Real Nowhere Gov (hat tip Beatles and the Bridge to Nowhere); The Whore of Wasilla, per Revelation 18, the MILF and more.

If you're interested, take a look; I've got a poll up, too.

For national politics, and a few state and local issues if you live in Texas, Dallas in specific, I’ve started my own base-level "Intrade" at my blog. I'm covering Cornyn-Noriega, odds on the Texas House changing hands, and the top race in Dallas, as well as a couple of issues beyond electoral politics per se.
In today's Palin follies, I wonder if the Alaska Lege GOPers on the French committee are taking their orders from Schmuck Talk Express™  mission central, among other things.
And, Champagne Charlie Rangel shows once again that ethical issues are not just Republican issues.