The New York Times reports that Dick Cheney has found a publisher for his memoir.

Unsurprisingly, it’s the publishing company headed by Mary Matalin.

I’m sure this book will be the hot fiction release of 2011.

I follow a few right-wing people on Twitter in an attempt to preserve my open-mindedness and to hear what’s going on in one of the other camps. (I consider the extreme left to be in a different camp from me as well.)

The past week these folks seem to be agitating mostly against President Obama’s measured response to what’s going on in Iran. They keep contrasting it with Ronald Reagan’s “Tear down this wall” speech at the Berlin Wall. So I keep asking them what it is they would like Obama to do about this nascent freedom effort in Iran, and not one of them has given me a straight answer. If they want condemnation of how the Iranian protestors are being treated, he’s done that, and he just did it again today. Do they want Obama to forcefully declare his support of the  protestors’ cause? Because that’s sure to backfire (one way to lose popularity with masses in the Middle East:  have the U.S. adopt your cause). Do they want us to invade? That’s so last administration. So… what is it? What do they want — other than to just complain, no matter what the Obama administration does.

I’ve written here before about California Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, a political leader I admire. He may be planning a run for Los Angeles City Council, partly because of term limits, which restrict Assembly members to six years in office.

In other words, soon after learning how to be effective in the position, you’re out. Say what you will about then-Governor Pete Wilson and then-Speaker Willie Brown, they knew enough about California’s levers of power to steer us out of our previous economic collapse, in 1991. That’s because they had been on the job for quite a while — Brown for 27 years at that point. I’m opposed to term limits, and I’m surprised they aren’t unconstitutional.

Anyway, while I was out of town the Burbank Leader ran a story about Paul Krekorian’s probable run for City Council, and I took the opportunity to  knock term limits. This is a mini-spiel I give as often as possible in the hopes that finally enough of us will feel this way that we can get rid of term limits. Everywhere I’ve gone while here in New Jersey, people have asked incredulously about my adopted state’s budget catastrophe, “What happened to California?” My response:  Proposition 13 (which destroyed our tax base), a 2/3 vote requirement to pass a budget (which disproportionately empowers a caveman minority in the Legislature), pay-to-play politics, and term limits. All of which has more of us than ever hoping for a state constitutional convention.

If you’re going to commit suicide (and really, most of us would rather you didn’t), don’t do it at someone’s business. Especially in this economy.

There’s the ability to change your mind or get along with others. Then there’s this sort of flexibility. (Watch past the first 50 seconds.) I’m betting these girls were extremely popular with G.I.s.

(Thanks to friend and blog reader Rich Roesberg for making me aware of this video.)

OK, those tickets are now on sale for this Sunday’s added playdate of “The Car Plays.” If past performance is any indication, you’ve got about 9 minutes to get to the Moving Arts website.

Likelihood that changing my Twitter picture to green will free the Iranian people (as so many seem to hope): nil.

Along the same lines, I don’t think tying yellow ribbons around trees did anything except perpetuate Tony Orlando’s career.

Here’s a great way the company you work for can beat this recession:  Get you to work for free.

As promised, I’m still watching for the on-sale notice for tickets to the one night of added performances of The Car Plays. So far, they’re still not on sale. But maybe it’s better if you don’t rely on me. Maybe, if you want to get one of those scarce tickets (only 90 more will be available), you’d be better off keeping an eye on the Moving Arts site yourself.

For more info on The Car Plays, here’s a story that ran today in a London (?) newspaper. And no, the cars in our plays will not be parked on the wrong side of the road.

I just got this fundraising email from Jerry Brown, perennial Californian elected-something and former Linda Ronstadt paramour:

Dear Lee,

I have had an unusual opportunity to see California State government and its political process up close for a long, long time. I had my first glimpse – in the fifties – when my father ran for attorney general and then for governor, and again when I was governor. It was profoundly different then. The schools were good, the state wasn’t broke, Republicans talked with Democrats and even voted together when it was important to do so.

The last few years, this has all changed. Acrimony and endless deficits have become the order of the day. And turning it around, especially given the financial meltdown, won’t be easy. But I am trying. I am doing everything I can as your attorney general to make sure that the law is on your side. I sued Countrywide to restructure tens of thousands of mortgages, brought actions against a myriad of scam artists who set up Ponzi schemes or ripped off consumers in various and heartless ways, I sued employers who cheated their workers and vigorously defended California’s environmental laws. Go to Fighting for You for the full story.

I like my current job and truly believe we are getting important things done. Yet, when I see the mess in Sacramento and think about all the people who are suffering as a result, I think seriously about running for governor again. It is rather amazing that the same issues are still front and center: water, energy, prisons, education and, of course, living within our means.

But before I make a final decision, I would like to know if it’s possible to build a large base of supporters from every part of the state and even beyond. Two of the Republican candidates for governor are talking about spending their own wealth on hundred million dollar plus campaigns. To counter this private assault on our democracy, people will have to join together in a grassroots effort by the thousands and then by the tens of thousands. We need to fight back to overcome what will literally be a hostile takeover of the airwaves during the next governor’s campaign.

So would you be willing to join, even at this early date, and donate $25, $50 or $100 to Jerry Brown 2010 and help change the corrosive politics that is destroying our state? Whether I seek re-election as attorney general or the governorship, I intend to do everything I can to turn this state around. But I need your help and your active involvement.

Please forward this e-mail and ask your friends to contribute. Ask them to join our cause, to fundraise, become a supporter on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

This state is desperately in need of creativity and new ideas. The state also needs – just as much and maybe more – the know-how and experience to get this impossible job done.

If you can today, please consider making a contribution of $25, $50, $100 or any amount you are able to give.

I won’t let you down. We can and we will build a movement – of truth, of creativity, of inclusion.

With respect,

Jerry Brown

Dear Jerry:

May I suggest that you decide what you’re running for first, and then ask for money?

Talk about passing the buck!