What a week to reintroduce one’s self to Twitter. When the micro-blogging trend achieved white-hot heat back in 2008, I was there.

We received this response to Matt Hooper’s column “Tipping Point” from Nathan Barret, who runs the Spring Street Fire House DIY music venue here in Birmingham, and felt we should share it, and Mr. Hooper’s response, with you.

Hey, 440 some-odd days until the 2012 election! Excited yet? Sure you are! Michele Bachmann won the Iowa straw poll, a black guy is running for the GOP nomination and Christine O’Donnell is walking off the set of Piers Morgan Tonight. It’s a great time to be alive.

A couple of weeks ago, while I was knee-deep in deciphering the debt ceiling debacle, I ran across a disturbing AP story out of Philadelphia.

Before we get started, I need to fire off a few letters. Dear People Who Swim and Run Fast, That’s excellent that you can do what you do. I mean, wow, you’re awesome.

Well, OK then. So much for the grand bargain. This past weekend had to be the most uninspiring stretch of time to be an American since...well, maybe Watergate or the Clinton impeachment. No wonder we couldn’t get our form of government to take hold in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.

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It’s a summer afternoon in Alaska, and GOP/Tea Party matriarch Sarah Palin is alone in her home, talking to her most trusted advisor and best friend. You get to eavesdrop. Lucky you. (Boilerplate, boilerplate...not real, no sue, etc., etc.)