My life has been greatly Blessed because along the way I crossed paths with Benny Parsons. I hope every race driver and broadcaster that had the opportunity to meet and know Benny was able to take something from him to make them a better person and achive success in their career. I know I did, Thank You Benny Parsons.

Thanks Olivia! It pays to think ahead and not just treat our homes like a Barbie Dollhouse. A home is a platform of capability intended to see our families through thick and thin. The space we've wasted on formal areas that are hardly even used could be better spent on extra closet space, wider hallways, and so on. My book goes into more detail.

The Hobson of Hobson's choice was a livery stable owner. The phrase arose because you could rent any horse you wanted as long as it was the one closest to the door. The phrase is often misused to mean having to choose from two bad alternatives--or even to mean the same as "Sophie's choice."

Benny Parsons was a racer's racer, the sports world will really miss him.

Thanks, Rob. I had Googled it and answered my own question, but now I don't get who is offering us "Hobsons" choice, unless it is refering to the Decider who listens but ignores.

Thanks for the brief about Baby Noah who was born from an embryo rescued from Katrina--that is quite a "good news" story! Also, thanks for last night's report on how Florida is trying to deal with the high cost of property insurance in the wake of the hurricanes in 2004 and 2005. While I don't know that much about the situation in Florida per se, I found it interesting because I have read quite a bit in Louisiana papers online about insurance troubles there.

Also, thanks for the excellent coverage on the recent ice storms and other bad weather. So far during this round Central Illinois has been lucky--we have had some light ice and a dusting of snow, and my part of town was affected by a power outage that fortunately lasted less than 2 hours--but, thankfully, nothing like what's been going on in other states.

I'd also like to thank Chris Eldridge for his interesting, informative postings, especially those on disaster preparedness. Would that everybody could afford to adapt their homes not only so they could withstand storms and other disasters, but also be energy-efficient.

Brian,
This is a nice piece of writing on the passing of a good man and a racing legend. , too, had the honor of meeting BP. He's one of only few guys in the Nextel Cup garage who would come up to you and be willing to engage in a conversation.

Today's NASCAR stars could take alot of notes from BP on how to remain popular among the fans. Often times when I go to a Nextel Cup event, the drivers try their hardest to stay away from the typical fan. There is always, of course, the exceptions (Kasey Kahne, Robby Gordon, Little E). Back in those days, BP was the Kasey Kahne or Dale Jr.

Kenny Wallace made a great comment BP and how some will only remember him as "Buffett Benny" and not as one of the Winston Cup greats. But even in those days, Benny still had an active role in the sport and not just as a commentator.

In the late 1990s, Benny tipped Jack Roush off to a "NASCAR Winter Heat" driver and suggested Roush hire him. Roush did. That no name Winter Heat driver would go on to win a NASCAR Truck Series Championship, NASCAR Busch Grand National Championship, and claim several Nextel Cup victories on his way to a runner-up in the Chase in 2005.

Benny was a great broadcaster, a legendary racer and a great person. We will miss you BP.

Thanks for not forgetting BP. When I heard the news, I was positive you would find a way to work it into the newcast, seeing you are a true NASCAR fan. He will be missed.

Brian nice to see you smile at the end of the show. Yes I know it was the last comment as the lady said you can't live with them but can't live without them.
Bush has been all over the air waves trying to sell the failed plan. Maliki is so weak even the Saudis know it. Connie's middle east project failed before it started. Now Bagdad school was bombed. Everyone has said the same think only the Iraq people can end this civil war not the US. Senator Obama is right we need a change in leadership.

Thank you for the beautiful tribute to BP, Brian. If only all the other personalities you will report on tonight had the character of the great Benny Parsons.

I know we're in a cold spell and global warming is furthest from our minds, but I can't help but remember the one part in Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth showing all the dynamic pacific air-currents that we've become so accustomed to with question marks all over them. In other words, global warming doesn't just warm - it causes “climate change.” In fact (if the Atlantic conveyor belt stops), Europe may go into an ice age even at the height of global warming. We just can't tell. It’s a huge gamble we are making with the very thing that sustains us.

One can also speculate that when the artic air returns north, it will be much warmer than it would have been if it had stayed up there in the first place. Thus, you may see even more arctic ice melting this year than last.

It concerns me that more and more people compare presidential figures to Jeb Bartlet. He is not real, he dealt with artificial situations, and there was not one single reprecussion for anything that he had ever done. If I wanted a president that I could sit down to every night at nine pm, I would elect Homer Simpson.

Thank you for the "Going Solo" story at the end of tonight's broadcast. I'm a 34 year old divorced woman who has been living alone for three years and loving it.

I'm not anti-man. On the contrary, I love men. But, I don't see myself getting married again. I can't see any advantage to it and I cherish my independence too much to give it up.

Thank you for showing this side of single women.

Thanks so much for remembering Benny Parsons on the broadcast tonight. I've been a NASCAR fan for 22 years: never saw him drive, but have enjoyed his braodcasting for most all this time. You are missed BP.

Anonymous -- Here's Dictionary.com's definition of a Hobson's Choice:

–noun the choice of taking either that which is offered or nothing; the absence of a real alternative.

Read all about it here: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=10&q=Hobson%27s%20choice

After George Bush, the "scrutiny" of a presidential candidate is nonsense, and after Condi the lack of qualifications is nonsense. The ideologue party has shown us the way. Now, everyone is acceptable (or should be) from the Boston Strangler to Paris Hilton. Go get 'em Barack.

Massive power outages show just how vulnerable we are. Being more self-sufficient would insulate us from natural and manmade disaster like hurricanes, the bird flu, or terrorists. Some emergency-enhanced features for our homes would be:
(1) All bedrooms equally sized so that family members could stay on if their home was destroyed. (2) Bunk bed visitors’ rooms to help during mass evacuations. (3) A home that has a more basic, efficient, and less wind-resistant square shape. Decorative exterior features (like dormers and garage extensions) only provide more places for the roof to leak, more surface area for heat to escape, and a greater potential for severe damage to occur. (4) Kitchen, dining, and living areas should all be walled off from one another to prevent a damaged wall or window in one area from adversely affecting the entire home. It is also more efficient. (5) Our garages should be sized to protect service repair vans and have a closets to keep valuable equipment secure (in case the garage door is blown out) and to eliminate clutter. (6) There should be rooftop greenhouses to supplement food provisions and rainwater holding tanks to provide fresh water! (7) Bathrooms should be arranged so that plumbing is kept to a minimum. If your pipes freeze, they would be easier to replace.

In general, greater self-sufficiency at the home-level helps to insulate us from massive, region-wide disasters. Renewable energy, in this sense, isn’t just good for the environment. Solar and wild generators are also good for keeping the lights on when everyone else across the region is without power. Being able to work productively from home wouldn't hurt if you and a few business partners can swing it.

I really don't know how Obama would be as President. However, from what I've seen from him so far, and from reading his books, he appears to be more in tune with most American thoughts and values then the current White House occupant, or any of the other people who have high hopes of running.

Who is "Hobson"?

Can Obama become our "Bartlet"?
Oh, God, Make It So!