Recount

It is an fairly accurate depiction of the time line of the events, but no so much for picturing the characters, since, naturally, it's from the democrats' point of view. Interestingly, James Bakers likes it while Warren Christopher does not.

To me, it is not about who won or who lost, just like what David Boies said: "they won, we lost, we appeal." What's important is that even it is a chaotic and some time very unfair (viewed by many from both sides) process, it did went through and resolve peacefully (for US, sorry, the Iraqis) by the people chosen in earlier (and not so chaotic) elections.

In this, it showed how a democratic nation operates, not the best or fair solution, but a well oiled smooth running machine. And the Americans was cool enough (or they just don't care so much) about who will be the next president. They have the confidence that no matter whoever the President, the life will go on.

Well, Al Gore isn't the best leader. He may be the better of the two, but hay, who knows. As Michael Moore put it, "it turns out that Bush is not boring." Who would have thought of that. For Gore, he lost Tennessee, his home state where both him and his father were senators. Guess he didn't see that coming back biting him on the ass.

Anyway, at least this movie brought me back to that eventful time again. Surprisingly, I'm not angry any more and even started thinking whether the Democrats deserve my support in this coming election.

The Kennedy Curse

On Monday, news broke that Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with Glioma, a type of very nasty malignant brain tumor. To many, it is like Deja Vu all over again, although many members of the family are living a more normal and less dramatic life. But this is the First American Family, not Bush, not Clinton. Any news is significant and will be amplified.

As for Glioma, it is one of the worst type of tumors. As John Yu and Keith Black put it (in this LA Tims piece), the media survival rate is about one year and the prognosis is generally worst for 55 or older.

For a 76 years man with 46 years as an US Senate, Ted Kennedy has his own legacy . Some (including me) believes that he has done more in real politics than his brothers who remain the faces of American ideology. Democrats and Republicans alike are now preying for him while back room discussions for the replacement of his seat will began soon (if not started already).