Well, actually it's from the Atlanta area. And it's not really that hot today. Quite pleasant actually. That doesn't work too well with the over the top intro though. What the hell, let's give it a shot:

From the depths of a beautiful sunny day in the delightfully forested town of Duluth comes a horror the likes of which no one has yet seen and survived. Yes, with devilish delight I expose my victims to my Cheddar X responses! Bwah hah hah hah hah!

1. What TV show do you remember most from your childhood, and why?
>From early childhood it would have to be 3-2-1 Contact. It was the best kids show on television, hands down. Science was freakin' cool! An entire show about stuff I wanted to do! I had my introduction to paleontology and chemistry. In fact, my chemistry set was a direct result of 3-2-1 Contact. And oh, the hours of enjoyment that brought. Sulfur burns, shattering beakers, barely controlled alcohol fires. Ah, memories.

2. Who would you elect for governor of California? (Assume you're a registered California voter.)
My early favorite would have been Cruz "Bustamove" Bustamante. From what I had heard he was a well respected manager and politician. Then Arnold declared and there could be no other. I've been waiting oh-so-patiently for Arnold to get into politics. I mean, running for office in politics, not activist politics. He's my idea of a perfect politician. Self made, itelligent, generally genial but with a no-bullshit core. Add to that he's not a lifelong politician and that he could probably get away with riddling an opponent with bullets before dropping him off the Bay Bridge 'cause everybody's just waiting for him to do that anyway and you've got perfect political capital.

3. Do violence and drugs in entertainment media cause violent or delinquent behavior in minors?
Parents and environment cause violence and delinquency in minors. Entertainment is a part of a minor's environment that is under parents' direct control. I watched Apocalypse Now for the umpteenth time last week and, as it always does, it gave me a massive mood. It's a powerful movie. There is no way in hell that I would allow my kids to watch this movie. I know that if they did, they would be affected by it. For me it takes a couple of hours to shake it off and then I get mini-episodes for the next several days. Usually bad dreams for a night or two also. I can't imagine how bad this would be for a minor, someone who does not have the emotional experience to address their feelings nor the maturity to put things in context.

If you claim that violent and conflictive exposure will have no affect on kids then you are the worst kind of simpleton. If you say that TV / Video Games / Whatever made your kids bad then you are the worst kind of parent. My kids watch Noggin and some shows on Nick Jr., Disney and PBS. Am I overprotective? Hell no. I simply acknowledge that it's my duty as daddy to expose them to things that they are ready to handle. When they're older they will get to watch and experience more things. Some day I will be with the three of them as we watch Apocalypse Now but that will not be until they are mature enough to do so.

4. What are your current views on Iraq? How do they compare to your views from before the war?
I'm pretty upbeat but I have a few reservations. Things are progressing well, much better than I thought they would, but I think they would go even better with a larger military presence. I'd like to see us get a workable Iranian government and reliable local army in place as quickly as possible but then stay in an advisory capacity for as long as it takes to help them work through the growing pains. The major difference in my views before the war and now is how much I despise the despots of other Mid East countries (especially Iran and Syria) for their sabotage and hatred. They are doing everything in their power to screw with the Iraqis and they're getting a free ride from the bulk of the world press.

5. What phobias do you have? (Fear of spiders, crowds, etc.)
I have an irrational fear of being left behind at shopping malls. I don't know if I ever got lost in one as a kid or where the source of this thing is. When I'm at a mall and I didn't drive there I keep a very close account of where the driver is. I don't do things like "You go there, I'll go here, we'll meet up later". Can't handle it. It's especially irrational because even if I did get left behind there's no big problem to get home. Call somebody, take a cab. No major worry. Still scares me though.

6. If you could change one facet of American (or your) culture what would it be?
Diet. Specifically, remove sugar. America is so in love with sugar. I'm talking looooooooove. The average American consumes 160 pounds of sweeteners per year. Before the turn of the century the average consumption was around 10 pounds. Since 1974 the average consumption has doubled. Why does America have an obesity problem? Hmmmmm...