Obamboozled
Interesting how President Obama doesn't have time for a face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel during this week's United Nations wingding in Old New Amsterdam, yet Mr. Obama always has plenty of time for campaign events, fundraisers, & home brewing. This is how we—the United States—demonstrate that we, in the president's lamentably juvenile phrase, "have Israel's back"?

How have you enjoyed the parade of horrors these last three-plus years? Have enough millions of Americans dropped out of the workforce to be the change you were waiting for?

The Queue
I wanted to hate the ramshackle collection of plot holes that was Showcase Presents: Wonder Woman, Vol. 1, but there was something cursedly charming about those preposterous yarns of the Amazing Amazon. Darn you, comics of the 1950s, for being such stupid fun!

The queue is a mess, I know, with new material constantly jumping to the top. The Barsoom books aren't quite as much fun with narrators other than John Carter, Warlord of Mars, but more than that I've just been jonesing for the silly fun of comic books. I've had several of these Showcase Presents collections sitting on my shelves unread for quite a spell & they seemed to be just the ticket. The order presented here is how I intend to proceed, refraining from such other Showcase Presents titles as Adam Strange; Aquaman, Vol. 1; & Shazam!

Recently
Steve Matchett, The Chariot Makers: Assembling the Perfect Formula 1 Car
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Thuvia, Maid of Mars
Robert Kanigher & Ross Andru, Showcase Presents: Wonder Woman, Vol. 1

Currently
Mike W. Barr & Jim Aparo, Showcase Presents: Batman and the Outsiders, Vol. 1
Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Chessmen of Mars ***postponed***

Presently
Rich Thomaselli, I Love Michigan: Personal Stories about the World's Greatest Team, Fans, and Traditions/I Hate Ohio State: Personal Stories about the Absolute Worst Team, Fans, and Traditions
Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Master Mind of Mars
Edgar Rice Burroughs, A Fighting Man of Mars
Sir Ernest Shackleton, South: A Memoir of the Endurance Voyage
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Swords of Mars
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Synthetic Men of Mars
Sir Richard Francis Burton, translator, The Arabian Nights (specifically, "Ali Baba & the Forty Thieves")

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Elvis Costello, "Alison" from The Very Best of Elvis Costello (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: I awoke this morning with "Alison" running through my mind, specifically the repetitions of "My aim is true…." That's a pretty good way to start the day.

"Alison, I know this world is killin' you,
Oh, Alison, my aim is true."