Here's an experiment in the counterintuitive: instead of starting my day with yet another post about nostalgia for leftist demonstrators who remind me of Berkeley, I'll fast forward to more recent nostalgia -- and remind everyone to read this week's very funny Bonfire of the Vanities. It's hosted by Dr. Rusty Shackleford, and the theme is 1987; "a bad year in a bad decade!" Categories include war heroes, the Cold War, High School Yearbooks (gulp!) rad collectibles, rad movies, bad booze, Eddie Murphy, and Babes (mine got the crabs, but Interested Participant has the cure! Really now....Boudreaux's Butt Paste?)

Plus, the doctor offers some serious social commentary! Like this:

it was the 80s that saw the first wave of metrosexuals. Come on, you're telling me Poison, Ratt, and those Nelson dudes weren't just a little bit too pretty for comfort? There is a direct correlation between gay chic in the new millenia and teenage boy sexual confusion because of the glam-rock bands of the 80s. Those teenagers are all grown up and working for Act Up! The 80s also gave us scandal babes Jessica Hahn, Donna Rice, and the star of the popular Proctor & Gamble produced daytime soap opera, Iran/Contra, Fawn Hall (pictured).

A few burned memories for your unburned brain cells:

Read 'em all, and heed this warning: those who fail to remember 1987 are condemned to repeat it!