I think it is awesome that pCortex encourages regular users to make FP submissions, but I am not too sold on the split two-column formatting of the main page.

How about having alternating featured articles and submissions, with slightly different background colors distinguishing them? The only drawback I see with this is that the chronological order will be out of sequence, but perhaps someone has a good suggestion to deal with that.

I am posting a poll to sample readers' views on this.

Thanks.

What better place to do some "holiday gift" shopping than the

Political Cortex Store!

We have all sorts of products, tastefully decorated with your favorite logo. Check it out. Perfect for "holiday" shopping.

I'm sipping from my classy PC Mug as I type.

The store's offerings will be growing, but I wanted to get the initial product line up and wait for your suggestions.

Treat this as an OPEN THREAD to discuss how we can make this the best store on the web.

Some photos after the hump.....

We're moving past 800 members, but I hardly feel as if I know who's here.  Please stop in for a second, give a wave, and welcome some of your fellow Cortexicans, Cortexers, Cor... the other people here.

Settle back in your chair and have one of these cold drinks.  Did I say cold?  I meant cold.  I call them a "brain freeze."  Take an asprin, then take a sip.

Sound-off. This poll allows for multiple choices, so choose all that apply.

We have over 600 registered users, so if you've been hiding in your Cortex closet, now is the time to time come out and vote! Better yet, share the reasons behind your answer.

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That's what Armando argued last week in a diary at My Left Wing titled "Community Owned Blogging Is a Fantasy."  The diary was based on a comment I made at Booman Tribune in a diary titled "Banned from MyDD."

Let's see, counting Armando, frontpager at Dkos, that's four major liberal blogs mixed together in this.  All play valuable roles, but none of them functions as a democracy. And Armando argued that none could be. Needless to say, it boggled my mind that a citizen of democracy could say such a thing. And it delights me no end that here we are, in a so-called impossible place.  It reminds me of one of my favorite slogans from the 1960s, from the Paris Uprising of 1968: "Be realistic. Demand the impossible!"

Plame. Flame. Take Aim.
The hurricane "Blame Game".
Miers' Aflame!  It's all the Same...
A dubious Claim to Fame.
No sense of Shame.
Only Shell Games; Con Games; Head Games.
Where is the reference Frame?

They drop Names with Tame Acclaim.  
Saddam to blame?  Lame.
Lay Claim, and then Defame... Shame!
Life is not an exhibition Game.

Freedom fries.  No Allies?
A pack of lies.
Outing spies - unwise!  Alibis?
Sensationalize for my eyes.  
Decriminalize.  Surprise!  Evil underlies.  
Torture wins a Nobel Prize.
Don't improvise.  Say your goodbyes.
Please advise, there's no reprise.

Plame. Flame. Take Aim.
The hurricane "Blame Game".
Miers' Aflame!  It's all the Same...
A dubious Claim to Fame.
No sense of Shame.
Only Shell Games; Con Games; Head Games.
Where is the reference Frame?

They drop Names with Tame Acclaim.  
Saddam to blame?  Lame.
Lay Claim, and then Defame... Shame!
Life is not an exhibition Game.
But they still Overcame.

Freedom fries.  No Allies?
A pack of lies.
Outing spies - unwise!  Alibis?
Sensationalize for my eyes.  
Decriminalize.  Surprise!  Evil underlies.  
Torture wins a Nobel Prize.
Don't improvise.  Say your goodbyes.
Please advise, there's no reprise.

Friends and neighbors in a green Trance.
Dance with France?  No chance.
At first Glance, a vast Expanse... Eyes Askance.
Emboldened in an empty Stance.
Refinance!  Like a rain dance with a sand lance.
War romance. High finance.
Need another cash Advance?

Scooter, Scooter, on my Computer.
He's a grassy knoll Shooter;
A neocon Looter;
Pockets filled with Pewter.
Please find a Recruiter
for my friend Scooter.

Welcome to the Political Cortex!