What do you think of book to film translations in general? What is your favorite book-to-film translation? What is the worst you’ve seen? Do you think it encourages reading or discourages?

Not the best 15 books you’ve ever read, or even the ones you’d recommend to others. Just 15 books that have made their mark on you and will always be with you, for whatever reason. Supposed to be done in 15 minutes.

Open thread for discussion: Was Jim really abducted? Did his tinfoil hat prevent a psychic scan? Was he probed anywhere else?

Be sure to present whatever evidence you might have to back up your theories.

A virtual bottle of Chivas Regal to the most imaginative response.

Today, I am in Washington DC for the first Sunday in two months. I lived here basically from May until November and fell head over heels in love with the Washington Post, especially the Sunday Post. My home newspaper, the Ft. Worth Star Telegram has had severe budget cutbacks and what was once an Arts Section, a Living Section, a Travel Section on Sundays is now a teeny tiny single section all squished into one.

When I finally got around to opening the post this morning, I realized that it was thinner than it was the last time I held it in my hot little hands. And. The BOOK SECTION was gone. It was now relegated to three pages in the back of the Opinions section. The Post’s Marc Fisher discussed the lack of press in attendance at the Virginia House and Senate and our now need for immediate news.

I’d really like to hear what you guys are thinking on this. I am distressed to think that I will not be reading the Sunday comics to my grandchildren or able to introduce them to the smell of newsprint and the need to wash your hands after a nice romp with the paper.

Who will win? Who should win, but won’t?

My thoughts in a few….

The vetting process is the example, with the loss of Bill Richardson for Commerce and then Gregg. Are they scrambling or have they found someone that can get approved? Or are those who are really qualified refusing to touch it with a 10-foot pole? I had hope, honestly, when the new Cabinet was being put together so quickly.

Former President Clinton feels Obama should be more “positive” and direct when discussing the economy (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/President44/story?id=6916695&page=1 )

I had hoped that the bi-partisan promises would come to some fruition. On that, it’s not in the hands of Obama, but the hands of the Republicans. I still believe that, through good will, the Dems can begin to win some of the Republicans over to their way of seeing what is best for this country. However, until folks like Pelosi show a little effort from the left side of aisle, the right side of the aisle will remain, overall, stubborn.

And a CNN Poll reports that the love for Obama, while still high, is slipping ( http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/20/poll.obama.stimulus/index.html ). Is the honeymoon already beginning to be over before the first 100 days is over?

I was not an Obama fan during the election (though I admit, I love Joe Biden). He was too slick and too much like a salesman. Now that he has won the office, you will see me support him, as I believe the President deserves respect. I just want the deliberate approach that Obama took to win the job will continue while he’s doing the job.

So where are you, staff? Vacation is over. The economy is crashing and we have a bunch of skyscraper divers trying to make business deals over scotches, and there’s no one here to serve them. Where is my bar back? Where is the Wench? Where is the wait staff?

I’m going nuts in here.