The most puzzling aspect of Survivor Sunday night was the behavior of Richard Hatch.

Sure he was a great big ass, no surprise there, but a completely puzzling ass, making matters worse at every possible turn. What the hell was he thinking?

Gail, from the comments:

Right now, I think that Richard Hatch's strategy is to act so damn silly that no one will see him as a threat. He's hoping that someone else will become an even bigger target by the time they get to tribal council.

Now, whether or not they'll just boot him he's Richard is an open question, but he has at least three more days before he's threatened again. And that can be a lot of time. . . .

Hmmmm. I think she's on to something. And what a clever strategy. He knows everyone on the island is primed to knock him off first chance they get. No way he can talk them out of it, but maybe he can get them to take him so unseriously that they'll write him off and focus their fears on more immediate threats. Who knows if it will work, but prolly the best shot he's got.

And he can enjoy the hell out of screwing with everyone on the isalnd in the process. He's in heaven.

And since I've got her comments going, a few more Gail thoughts that really made me smile:

Jenna is a complete idiot, and I'm very surprised Rupert went along with the Witchy Girls. . . .

Rob is annoying. What would have happened if they had put Rob on a team where no one had large breasts? How would he know who he could make an alliance with? He'd be completely befuddled. Would he pick Rupert and his chest as the next best thing? . . . 

My Survivor All Stars page.

Head here all week for Comments on Survivor All Stars Ep 1 -- And all season for Wish Lists, Horror Lists and Predictions.

David B is back creating a fresh round of Haikus each Survivor episode. A few of my favorites from this week:

Survivor All-Stars Haiku #3 She slakes her big thirst Where beavers evacuate Upper Midwest style

Survivor All-Stars Haiku #4 They all want my bod-- That fatfuck calls me honey That bitch here again

Heeheehee. I look forward to them every week.

And I forgot about that moment Richard called Colby honey. I nearly rolled off the couch.

My Survivor All Stars page.

Head here all week for Comments on Survivor All Stars Ep 1 -- And all season for Wish Lists, Horror Lists and Predictions.

Well it's looking pretty bad for Dean. Has ever since he made the strange decision to pull out of all the contests this week. I didn't want to force any more air out of the balloon here, but what friends asked the past week, I was frank. Even when my friend Brett, who was off to New Mexico--Dean's one small hope this week, even with little support from the campaign. We both thought it was probably a lost cause, but who knows, so he was still ready to give it a shot. I really admired him for heading down there anyway.

Here's his report, which he left in the comments. I think it's worth posting here:

Back from Albq--we had a great time and met some locals who are doing amazing things for our party and cause. All under the rader but committed and making a difference in getting people registered and organized. People there are scared of Bush--peop le are hurting there with few jobs and there is a anti gay amendment on the NM ballot in Nov.

We quickly put together an event at a local GLBT bar and had 200 show up for Dean. No one down there had anything going in the community so we took charge and did it. The result: Listed in the Albq Journal for three days, live Channel 4 coverage doing a remote from the event, a live interview on the air during the 10 pm newscast. Went to other bars with signs and got great response and turned more votes. Dean had left town so we would have been shut out that day as far as TV coverage-we got our message on the air for free.

We walked Dem neighborhoods with signs and passing out info, hit the Old Town area and did the same. where ever we went we took a sign and info. Stores, diners, galleries all engaging people and making them rethink Dean. We felt we turned 15 votes from Clark, 8 from Kerry and who knows how many others who just saw us and grabbed info. We never saw Kerry or Clark people, only Edwards seemed organized.

When in doubt do something. I feel great that I helped no matter what the outcome! cheers

I feel great for him, too. I busted my butt in Iowa a few weeks ago, and I thought I would feel foolish and regretful about the lost time and wages if he fell apart and it meant nothing, but I only wish I could have gotten to New Hampshire and New Mexico as well. One of minor standout experiences of my life.

It's very unlikely that what we did matter in the nomination, but it mattered to me. And it did matter to the 2004 campaign. Dean changed the field. Dramatically. Look how pitifully the Dems were all rolling over to Bush and the Repubs. For years, they've been bending over. They were all terrified to vote against him on Iraq. They said Dean was crazy to oppose him.

Now they're a bunch of attack dogs. They're finding their voice. They already found their spines. He showed them where to look.

So he changed everything, but unlikely he could change it for himself.

I expected to feel distraught if this happened. I feel kind of elated. I am so glad he changed the race.  But I'm also thrilled to see someone I respected so intensely make such a strong bid, even if he forgot to bring in the pros and the whole thing suddenly fell apart when it mattered most.

I watch that Sominexman John Kerry, and I understand why. I hate settling for guys like that for president. It's going to be an annoying four years if he does beat Bush. I'll vote for the guy, but I'll shake my head when I do it, and I'll grit my teeth at the TV for four years when I have to hear him. I see that crap, and then I see a guy I'd be proud of to be my president. Some day. Can't wait to have another one I can be proud of. That was worth fighting for.

It's been an amazing ride, though, and I'm exhilarated that I've been apart of it.

And who knows. Maybe there's still a miracle out there to be found. I've let go of it emotionally, but in this race, I wouldn't bet my life savings on anything.