Peace, have you not watched the Canadian idol thing? No I don't either, but apparently it is just as stupid as the American. Here in Calgary we get well over 100 channels fed into most homes; be thankful you have missed the TV virus that infects most of us.

The debates so far have been pretty dull; sad stuff compared with the fireworks of the early days. Orators used to know how to stir up a crowd, now they even have moderators to keep everything nice and milquetoasty.

Handbasket goes back to the 15th c., British Navy (OED). Dunno when 'going to hell in a handbasket' first was used (meaning proceeding to utter ruination- Webster's Collegiate).

(Hard not to get twisted up into a GG argument; completely meaningless tripe)