ome odds and ends; a few miscellaneous comments, just a week or so before election day.

he Obama campaign received the support of some tried and experienced Republican figures this week concluding; Republicans who for good reason endorsed the Democratic candidate.
Scott McClellan the former press secretary to President George W. Bush (who, prior to that had, worked for Governor George W in Texas). And William Weld, a former Republican governor of Massachusetts. He said of Senator Obama, he's "a once in-a-lifetime candidate."

o one ever thought of Alan Greenspan as the most gregarious of public people, or just another pretty face. But now, the former much lauded and respected chairman of the Federal Reserve, is admitting to human frailties that would have been considered most, most unlikely until the current international financial crisis. Greenspan has "found a flaw in his thinking". He has said publicly, "I made a mistake in presuming that the self-interest of organizations, specifically banks and others, was such that they were best capable of protecting their own shareholders." He went further; the most powerful chairman of the Federal Reserve, admitting to being "partially wrong' for opposing tougher regulation of derivatives". He presided over an almost limitless growth in prosperity. Now he is of contrite heart and is in "a sense of shocked disbelief" at the current financial turmoil.

he troubled Alaskan Senior Senator; Republican Ted Stevens, has described himself as "a mean, miserable son-of-a-bitch." He's an icon in his own state and a force in Washington. He has had forty years tenure. We await the verdict in his criminal case. He ably describes his temperament personality and image.

here are those who still believe that the 8 years of the George W Bush administration will leave the president with a legacy of which to be proud, but as every poll shows, they are a dwindling minority. He has saddled his successor with two wars, a terrible international image for this country, and a government stripped of its ability to protect and help fellow citizens. Whether people are fleeing a hurricane's floodwaters, or struggling to pay the mortgage and protect their homes, savings, jobs and pensions, the Republicans don't have the necessary answers. The New York Times ,'in endorsing Barak Obama for president, wrote "Hyperbole is the currency of presidential campaigns, but this year the nation's future truly hangs in the balance." So does the World's!

et us not forget the legacy of the Vice President, Dick Cheney, and his influence on the chief executive. Under Bush/Cheney the Constitution, the justice system, the Bill of Rights and the separation of powers, have all come under relentless attack.

Enjoy the weekend, it'll be behind us in 9 days.