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'Twas a place for political anthropologists.

Last night was great if only because I got to see another glimpse of the innards of the Capitol Hill media and propaganda machine. Inside the innards there is an ecosystem composed of bacteria of all kind, some toxic yet others more akin to a benign flora.

I have identified some of the toxic ones. From the attached ensemble cast, it's up to you to decide who is who.

Here's a breakdown of the photos :

1. Bloggers row #1
That's Andy Carvin and Bob Cox in the foreground. Susan Madrak is blocking Meagan Ortiz with her big head (heh). Michael Sheffield of News Busters infamy is next to her (nice guy, btw) and Earl Dunovant is to his left. But of course.

2. Bloggers row #2
The laptop next to Andy is mine. La Shawn Barber was exactly behind me. That's Faye Anderson next to her.

3. The non-bloggers
And everybody else.

4. La Shawn and Tavis
She asked Tavis why didn't he invite conservative journos ... I guess she was trying to get into the next line up.

5. Al Sharpton
The bloggers section erupted in laughter during Biden's "I strive to teach the black dudes about safe sex" speech. And I kid you not, I heard him use the phrase "black dudes". To which the camera people (blog bless them) turned to Al's "Oh Hell NO!" face. It was sublime. Here's he is spinning it like a dreidel.

6. Cornell West
The coolest muddafrucker in the room was shilling for Obama?!?!

7. Vernon Jordan
All I wanted to ask him was "WHERE'S MONICA?!?!"

8. Sheila Jackson Lee
Sheila spoke about the greatness of Hillary. The woman was unstoppable --she was almost possessed for what seemed like an hour. She also had the flyest ensemble of the evening. Loving the shawl.

9. Mike Gravel
He is actually quite mellow in person. Mellow in that spooky mild-mannered uncle kind of mellow. That he had the last word of the debate and shrieked nobody in that room had the moral authority to be president? That was precious. Brownie points for audacity.

10. Bill RIchardson
The hardest working mofo in the room and, to be honest, the only candidate with the qualifications for higher office. I still want to have a Corona or two with the dude.

11. Elizabeth and Dennis Kucinich
I want to know what is Dennis' secret. Seriously.

BTW : I can understand a little bit why Hillary, Obama and Edwards chose not to show up? Biden? Oh. Hell. No.