Thursday, May 31, 2007
'Blogger unmasked'
He violated Unofficial Rule No. 1 of blogging: Don't blog about work. ... One blogger ridicules a jury deciding his case. Another defendant threatens a jury deciding his case. So goes the justice system. ...
Update -- I assume this is/was Flea's blog, as referenced in the first link, based on an astute pre-unmasking post on a NY law blog. Yeah, I'd agree Flea took some 'giant risks.' ... A cached version of Flea is here. Or I think it is. I'll stand corrected if not. ...
Update II -- Speaking of the justice system (and on a somewhat different issue), here's more proof that I initially didn't grasp the potential significance of Ms. Goodling's testimony. ... Still want to know more about the essence of the case -- why prosecutors were fired. ...
Update III -- Adam has more on Flea -- including others in the medical profession who have blogged about work at their peril. ...
Update IV -- Adam has found a much better cached version of Flea, with stupid throw-the-gauntlet-down boasting: "If the plaintiff's lawyer in Flea's upcoming trial is any good at all, she's already Googled Flea. Goodness knows Flea's Googled her. Flea knows where and when she went to high school, college and law school." etc. etc. ... Ha, ha, ha. Well, now you know she's good, Flea. ... Some people just ask for trouble.
He violated Unofficial Rule No. 1 of blogging: Don't blog about work. ... One blogger ridicules a jury deciding his case. Another defendant threatens a jury deciding his case. So goes the justice system. ...
Update -- I assume this is/was Flea's blog, as referenced in the first link, based on an astute pre-unmasking post on a NY law blog. Yeah, I'd agree Flea took some 'giant risks.' ... A cached version of Flea is here. Or I think it is. I'll stand corrected if not. ...
Update II -- Speaking of the justice system (and on a somewhat different issue), here's more proof that I initially didn't grasp the potential significance of Ms. Goodling's testimony. ... Still want to know more about the essence of the case -- why prosecutors were fired. ...
Update III -- Adam has more on Flea -- including others in the medical profession who have blogged about work at their peril. ...
Update IV -- Adam has found a much better cached version of Flea, with stupid throw-the-gauntlet-down boasting: "If the plaintiff's lawyer in Flea's upcoming trial is any good at all, she's already Googled Flea. Goodness knows Flea's Googled her. Flea knows where and when she went to high school, college and law school." etc. etc. ... Ha, ha, ha. Well, now you know she's good, Flea. ... Some people just ask for trouble.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
'Nation of deflation'
Two of the scariest words in the Boston Celtics lexicon: 'Ainge' and 'trade.' ... Reader No. 1 writes in with his thoughts on the lottery and Celts (pay close attention to the fourth point):
Two of the scariest words in the Boston Celtics lexicon: 'Ainge' and 'trade.' ... Reader No. 1 writes in with his thoughts on the lottery and Celts (pay close attention to the fourth point):
1- The cosmic law of averages is playing itself out. All the years of Rick Robey for Dennis Johnson, JB Carroll/Ricky Brown for Parrish/McHale, 10 championships in 11 years... still has a way to even itself out.
2- The Yankees went through a couple of rough patches too, one pre-Steinbrunner (late 60s/early 70s with CBS ownership) and one post (esentially, 1982-1995). The first Yankee recovery was largely the result of hitting the free agent market harder than other sleepy owners and GMs - and flamed out because money isn't everything.
The second recovery was sparked by home grown top talent (Jeter, Rivera, B. Williams) - and ironically, has not been sustained by the team again hitting the free agent market harder than others (because again, money isn't everything, although it sure helps)
3- Speaking of money, aren't the Celtics still making money for the partnership? And every year, there are fewer and fewer of us who remember the glory days...and more and more new fans who don't care. Sorry Bob Ryan.
4- I'll bet Trader Danny moves the #5 pick - for two more picks (with Sebastian Telfair thrown in). Or maybe one pick and‚ The New Theo Ratliff. The law of averages continues for awhile yet...
'Jumbled thinking,' Part II
Kevin emails in with a link to his Michael Yon interview and with the message: "I'm with you on the bumbling of team Bush when it comes to Iraq. I'm just not ready to declare defeat yet." ... FYI: Kev and I agree that 'victory,' if it's achieved, will in no way resemble what was envisioned in 2003, 2004, 2005 etc. FYI II: I deeply respect Michael Yon. I don't doubt the accuracy of his reports. But when I think of Iraq, the old squeezing-of-the-balloon effect comes to mind, similar to what's happened in the war on drugs. FYI III: I'm going to try to limit my posts on Iraq. I've gone way overboard on the subject.
Kevin emails in with a link to his Michael Yon interview and with the message: "I'm with you on the bumbling of team Bush when it comes to Iraq. I'm just not ready to declare defeat yet." ... FYI: Kev and I agree that 'victory,' if it's achieved, will in no way resemble what was envisioned in 2003, 2004, 2005 etc. FYI II: I deeply respect Michael Yon. I don't doubt the accuracy of his reports. But when I think of Iraq, the old squeezing-of-the-balloon effect comes to mind, similar to what's happened in the war on drugs. FYI III: I'm going to try to limit my posts on Iraq. I've gone way overboard on the subject.
Monday, May 28, 2007
'Jumbled thinking'
I thought the same thing. ... The irony is that those still defending the war (as opposed to those dolts like yours truly who initially supported the war) eagerly encouraged the terrorists-in-Iraq scenario that's now quite real. ... Some think the most famous/infamous/fatuous words of the war were 'Mission Accomplished.' I still insist the most famous/infamous/fatuous words were 'bring 'em on.' Think about it. They got what they wanted. In a land they wanted to stabilize. ... 'Phony, macho rhetoric' indeed. ... P.S. -- Tinkered with the post after first posting. Minor grammar and word changes etc.
I thought the same thing. ... The irony is that those still defending the war (as opposed to those dolts like yours truly who initially supported the war) eagerly encouraged the terrorists-in-Iraq scenario that's now quite real. ... Some think the most famous/infamous/fatuous words of the war were 'Mission Accomplished.' I still insist the most famous/infamous/fatuous words were 'bring 'em on.' Think about it. They got what they wanted. In a land they wanted to stabilize. ... 'Phony, macho rhetoric' indeed. ... P.S. -- Tinkered with the post after first posting. Minor grammar and word changes etc.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
'Just Jimmies'
Generally, I don't like slapping cute names on ice cream flavors. But Brigham's new 'Just Jimmies' is simply outstanding. The accompanying tiny pieces of crunchy chocolate-covered sugar cones are perfect. ...
Generally, I don't like slapping cute names on ice cream flavors. But Brigham's new 'Just Jimmies' is simply outstanding. The accompanying tiny pieces of crunchy chocolate-covered sugar cones are perfect. ...
'Pondering my responsibility for his death'
Boston University's Andrew J. Bacevich ponders what no parent should have to ponder. ... The op-ed was fine until it unfairly attacked Ted Kennedy, John Kerry and Stephen Lynch for allegedly being stooges of 'wealthy individuals and institutions' promoting the interests of 'big business, big oil, bellicose evangelicals and Middle East allies.' Yet I'll definitely cut Bacevich plenty of slack. I can't imagine what he's going through. The grief must be unbearable. ...
... On other Iraq issues, I see the White House is now looking at possible major troop withdrawals next year, i.e. 2008, a presidential election year. They also haven't consulted Gen. David H. Petraeus. Incredible. These guys have so politicized the war. Rumsfeld, who John McCain rightly described as one of the worst defense secretaries in history, gets dumped only after disastrous mid-term elections. Petraeus is then brought in to implement a counterinsurgency policy that should have been implemented years ago. Now that policy will probably be thrown to the side. Do you wonder why people like Bacevich are lashing out at this administration? His son effectively died for this 'surge.' Again, incredible. ... Jimmy Carter: You shouldn't have backed down from your 'worst in history' comments. ...
And in case you missed it: Interesting poll results on the war. Americans overwhelming now believe that launching the war in Iraq was a mistake. They're overwhelmingly against cutting funds -- as long as they're tied to benchmarks. They trust Democrats more than Republicans to handle the war. Gee, I wonder why. ...
Boston University's Andrew J. Bacevich ponders what no parent should have to ponder. ... The op-ed was fine until it unfairly attacked Ted Kennedy, John Kerry and Stephen Lynch for allegedly being stooges of 'wealthy individuals and institutions' promoting the interests of 'big business, big oil, bellicose evangelicals and Middle East allies.' Yet I'll definitely cut Bacevich plenty of slack. I can't imagine what he's going through. The grief must be unbearable. ...
... On other Iraq issues, I see the White House is now looking at possible major troop withdrawals next year, i.e. 2008, a presidential election year. They also haven't consulted Gen. David H. Petraeus. Incredible. These guys have so politicized the war. Rumsfeld, who John McCain rightly described as one of the worst defense secretaries in history, gets dumped only after disastrous mid-term elections. Petraeus is then brought in to implement a counterinsurgency policy that should have been implemented years ago. Now that policy will probably be thrown to the side. Do you wonder why people like Bacevich are lashing out at this administration? His son effectively died for this 'surge.' Again, incredible. ... Jimmy Carter: You shouldn't have backed down from your 'worst in history' comments. ...
And in case you missed it: Interesting poll results on the war. Americans overwhelming now believe that launching the war in Iraq was a mistake. They're overwhelmingly against cutting funds -- as long as they're tied to benchmarks. They trust Democrats more than Republicans to handle the war. Gee, I wonder why. ...
Friday, May 25, 2007
'Ex-Justice Aide Admits Politics Affected Hiring,' Part III
The reader below was right: I didn't grasp the significance of Monica Goodling's testimony. It wasn't about patronage per se. It was about the type of person doing the hiring. Check out this excellent op-ed. ... About 150 Regent University grads work in the White House? One hundred and fifty? Looking forward to reading Hanna Rosin's book 'God's Harvard.' ... Neo-Nixonite evangelicals. Yikes. ... Rosin in her op-ed: "They are part of the Washington establishment now and, much to Bill Maher's chagrin, they will be around long after Bush is gone." ...
The reader below was right: I didn't grasp the significance of Monica Goodling's testimony. It wasn't about patronage per se. It was about the type of person doing the hiring. Check out this excellent op-ed. ... About 150 Regent University grads work in the White House? One hundred and fifty? Looking forward to reading Hanna Rosin's book 'God's Harvard.' ... Neo-Nixonite evangelicals. Yikes. ... Rosin in her op-ed: "They are part of the Washington establishment now and, much to Bill Maher's chagrin, they will be around long after Bush is gone." ...
Thursday, May 24, 2007
'Ex-Justice Aide Admits Politics Affected Hiring,' Part II
Someone wrote in:
I thought it was pretty good too -- and said so earlier. I should have pointed that out this morning. The committee has done some good things. ... I still think, though, that yesterday's testimony focused on something both parties could be accused of: political hackery. Dems need to concentrate on the big stuff that the neo-Nixonites are up to. ...
Someone wrote in:
Uh, Jay ... I kind of thought the image of Gonzales and Card speeding off to Walter Reed in order to badger the almost-dying John Ashcroft into signing off on an illegal spying program he'd already rejected was pretty good. No?
I thought it was pretty good too -- and said so earlier. I should have pointed that out this morning. The committee has done some good things. ... I still think, though, that yesterday's testimony focused on something both parties could be accused of: political hackery. Dems need to concentrate on the big stuff that the neo-Nixonites are up to. ...
'Celts try to rebound'
This story rings true: I know a close friend who was prepared to buy season tickets if the Celts had landed No. 1 or 2. ... No matter. Time to move on: 'Al Horford, Brandan Wright, Corey Brewer, Jeff Green, Yi Jianlian and Al Thornton.' Not quite take your pick. But it's what we've got to play with. ... Well, at least we're talking about the Celts again. ... Last post on this for a while. I hope. ...
This story rings true: I know a close friend who was prepared to buy season tickets if the Celts had landed No. 1 or 2. ... No matter. Time to move on: 'Al Horford, Brandan Wright, Corey Brewer, Jeff Green, Yi Jianlian and Al Thornton.' Not quite take your pick. But it's what we've got to play with. ... Well, at least we're talking about the Celts again. ... Last post on this for a while. I hope. ...
'Ex-Justice Aide Admits Politics Affected Hiring '
You don't say. Really? ... Listen, Dems are going to have to do better than this in the U.S. Department of Justice probe. We already know about the Bush hackerama: Mike Brown and partronage hires in Iraq, etc., etc., etc. But the essense of the DOJ controversy is whether U.S. Attorneys were politically pressured to prosecute people before elections -- and whether they were fired for not prosecuting people before elections. Sure, it's important to expose the pathetic Monica Goodling as the Jane Swift of DOJ. But if the probe is about exposing hack politics, then Dems are vulnerable too. ...
Update -- Maybe the Washington Post could hire Howie Carr as a consultant to set up a 1-800-FED-HACK hotline. It probably would be more effective -- and cheaper -- than a Congressional committee. ... Hello? Fed Hack Hotline? Half the Macon County Republican Party Central Committee just landed jobs at the Department of Justice's Afghan judicial reconstruction unit. Click! ...
You don't say. Really? ... Listen, Dems are going to have to do better than this in the U.S. Department of Justice probe. We already know about the Bush hackerama: Mike Brown and partronage hires in Iraq, etc., etc., etc. But the essense of the DOJ controversy is whether U.S. Attorneys were politically pressured to prosecute people before elections -- and whether they were fired for not prosecuting people before elections. Sure, it's important to expose the pathetic Monica Goodling as the Jane Swift of DOJ. But if the probe is about exposing hack politics, then Dems are vulnerable too. ...
Update -- Maybe the Washington Post could hire Howie Carr as a consultant to set up a 1-800-FED-HACK hotline. It probably would be more effective -- and cheaper -- than a Congressional committee. ... Hello? Fed Hack Hotline? Half the Macon County Republican Party Central Committee just landed jobs at the Department of Justice's Afghan judicial reconstruction unit. Click! ...
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
'The worst possible scenario,' Part III
Not everyone is unhappy. ... At this point I'd take Yi Jianlin. But they're not going to get him at 5th. They have to move up. ... Where have I been? There's a Can Danny blog that, even before last night's debacle, was speculating about the future: "As for the next GM, Sam Presti of the San Antonio Spurs is one of the top young execs and also hails from Concord, Mass." He also speculates about a possible Celts trade. ... Oh now Stern talks about changes to the lottery. ... Finland's Petteri Koponen is worth watching. ... You know, if the Celts got Yi and Koponen, I'd almost be tempted to get excited. If they got Yi and Koponen and Presti, I'd be psyched. ...
Not everyone is unhappy. ... At this point I'd take Yi Jianlin. But they're not going to get him at 5th. They have to move up. ... Where have I been? There's a Can Danny blog that, even before last night's debacle, was speculating about the future: "As for the next GM, Sam Presti of the San Antonio Spurs is one of the top young execs and also hails from Concord, Mass." He also speculates about a possible Celts trade. ... Oh now Stern talks about changes to the lottery. ... Finland's Petteri Koponen is worth watching. ... You know, if the Celts got Yi and Koponen, I'd almost be tempted to get excited. If they got Yi and Koponen and Presti, I'd be psyched. ...
'After the attack ...'
They're not quite the defining photos like those from Vietnam (see here and here). But, sadly, the NYT photo at right and others bring home what our GIs are going through in Iraq. ... Story here. ... FYI: The insurgents are now countering our surge tactics with landmines on footpaths and back roads. One can't help but note they used to be called 'rice paddies.' ...
Update -- Harvard's Niall Ferguson sees three more acts in the Shakespearean tragedy. ... Via AS.
They're not quite the defining photos like those from Vietnam (see here and here). But, sadly, the NYT photo at right and others bring home what our GIs are going through in Iraq. ... Story here. ... FYI: The insurgents are now countering our surge tactics with landmines on footpaths and back roads. One can't help but note they used to be called 'rice paddies.' ...
Update -- Harvard's Niall Ferguson sees three more acts in the Shakespearean tragedy. ... Via AS.
'The worst possible scenario,' Part II
Bunko Squad is rightly concerned that 'Danny Ainge will trade the pick for Sebastian Telfair's brother and some ancient stiff who will come off the salary cap in 2012.' ... The Irish wake continues over at Jeff's blog. ... Bruce: 'The curse of David Stern continued.'
Bunko Squad is rightly concerned that 'Danny Ainge will trade the pick for Sebastian Telfair's brother and some ancient stiff who will come off the salary cap in 2012.' ... The Irish wake continues over at Jeff's blog. ... Bruce: 'The curse of David Stern continued.'
'The worst possible scenario'
Wyc needs to clean house. Danny has run the franchise into the ground. A team that a few years ago contended for an Eastern Conference title is now a bottom-dweller loser at Ping Pong roulette. ... Bob Kraft? Hello? Want to invest in a distressed franchise? Hello? ...
But of course. I focused on how the Celts had a 20 percent chance of getting the first pick in the NBA lottery. I forgot they had a 20 percent chance of getting the worst-case scenario pick in the NBA lottery. I deserve the bi-polar ride. ... Wyc says Danny is assuring him the draft is deeper than many believe. Tony reminds us of a prior example of Danny's vision:
The Celts should go after Atlanta's No. 3. Al Horford is worth it. Perhaps the No. 5 pick and Sebastian Telfair? After all it is Atlanta. Then again, it is the Celts. ...
Wyc needs to clean house. Danny has run the franchise into the ground. A team that a few years ago contended for an Eastern Conference title is now a bottom-dweller loser at Ping Pong roulette. ... Bob Kraft? Hello? Want to invest in a distressed franchise? Hello? ...
But of course. I focused on how the Celts had a 20 percent chance of getting the first pick in the NBA lottery. I forgot they had a 20 percent chance of getting the worst-case scenario pick in the NBA lottery. I deserve the bi-polar ride. ... Wyc says Danny is assuring him the draft is deeper than many believe. Tony reminds us of a prior example of Danny's vision:
The Celtics have made their share of bad maneuvers over the years, and maybe it is only fitting that Portland claimed the No. 1 pick. Representing the Blazers at the lottery, after all, was none other than NBA Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy, whom the Trail Blazers acquired as part of the three-way deal that sent Sebastian Telfair to the Celtics. In that way, the Celtics have no one to blame but themselves.
The Celts should go after Atlanta's No. 3. Al Horford is worth it. Perhaps the No. 5 pick and Sebastian Telfair? After all it is Atlanta. Then again, it is the Celts. ...
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
'Condescending to the voters'
Re Dan and John's posts on Bill Richardson's refusal to use hand sanitizers: Thank goodness he's not a doctor or restaurant employee with the same attitude. ... Now if he said, 'Sanitizers make your skin wrinkle,' I'd still disagree while acknowledging the logic. ...
Re Dan and John's posts on Bill Richardson's refusal to use hand sanitizers: Thank goodness he's not a doctor or restaurant employee with the same attitude. ... Now if he said, 'Sanitizers make your skin wrinkle,' I'd still disagree while acknowledging the logic. ...
Monday, May 21, 2007
'The leprechaun wasn’t working that day'
Let's hope Tommy Heinsohn has more luck tomorrow than M.L. Carr. ... Here's a great look at recent NBA drafts -- and the historic 'crapshoot' when it comes to the third pick in the first round. Personally, I wouldn't mind Al Horford. But Oden, especially, and Durant, a great No. 2, remain the prizes. ... I have this awful feeling Danny Ainge isn't high on Oden. Just a gut instinct. If the Celts get the No. 1 and Ainge doesn't go for Oden, Wyc should pull a Bob Kraft and overrule him. Or he sure the hell better. ... Yi Jianlian apparently intrigues Ainge. Just pointing it out. ... Thanks to Boston Sports Media for the roundup. ...
Let's hope Tommy Heinsohn has more luck tomorrow than M.L. Carr. ... Here's a great look at recent NBA drafts -- and the historic 'crapshoot' when it comes to the third pick in the first round. Personally, I wouldn't mind Al Horford. But Oden, especially, and Durant, a great No. 2, remain the prizes. ... I have this awful feeling Danny Ainge isn't high on Oden. Just a gut instinct. If the Celts get the No. 1 and Ainge doesn't go for Oden, Wyc should pull a Bob Kraft and overrule him. Or he sure the hell better. ... Yi Jianlian apparently intrigues Ainge. Just pointing it out. ... Thanks to Boston Sports Media for the roundup. ...
'Increasingly irrelevant'
The increasingly irrelevant Bush administration is calling Jimmy Carter "increasingly irrelevent," while the previously worst president in my lifetime is calling the current president the "worst" -- and they're both right. ... I'm telling you, I'm feeling those '70s vibes again. ...
The increasingly irrelevant Bush administration is calling Jimmy Carter "increasingly irrelevent," while the previously worst president in my lifetime is calling the current president the "worst" -- and they're both right. ... I'm telling you, I'm feeling those '70s vibes again. ...
'As a Neiman neo-Marxist ...' Part II
Brighton Reader answers the call with his non-thought thoughts on the changes in Brighton Center and Oak Square:
Brighton Reader answers the call with his non-thought thoughts on the changes in Brighton Center and Oak Square:
I do have some thoughts - mainly that I never thought about it all that much. The commercial areas of Brighton Center and Oak Square were never wonderful - although unlike Gen. Savin Hill, I loved the old Woolworth's, precisely for its trashed-by-a-crazy-monkey ambiance.
The biggest change is that the gin mills have all gone upscale, with the exception of Joey's in Brighton Center. Of course, hanging out in these locales is now acceptable, even if drinking before noon is not.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
'Anyone who says ...'
Kevin says no one knows what they're talking about when it comes to the new immigration bill. He has the photograph to prove it.
Kevin says no one knows what they're talking about when it comes to the new immigration bill. He has the photograph to prove it.
'Awestruck envy'
This is a heartwarming story about a pair of immigrant twins getting into college. But I have this strong feeling the story would never have been written, let alone receive such prominent placement, if the students had gotten into Bowdoin and Tufts, not Brown and Harvard. ... The 'awestruck envy' also resides deep within a certain newsroom, I strongly suspect. ... All right, all right. My disclosure. ... I'm looking at the calendar and see Memorial Day is around the corner. Do you know what that means? It's front-page Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and the Rich Really Are Different time! ...
Update -- It's also time to haul out the 'Nantucket Page 1 Watch' feature of Hub Blog. Not to be confused with the Cereals at Ivy League Schools Tracker. ... Always, always, always remember: 'The big question is why.'
Update II -- What's this? A story about Wentworth grads and construction jobs? We don't need no stinkin' stories about Wentworth grads and construction jobs. .... (But what if they're building homes on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket?-ed. Well, that's different.)
This is a heartwarming story about a pair of immigrant twins getting into college. But I have this strong feeling the story would never have been written, let alone receive such prominent placement, if the students had gotten into Bowdoin and Tufts, not Brown and Harvard. ... The 'awestruck envy' also resides deep within a certain newsroom, I strongly suspect. ... All right, all right. My disclosure. ... I'm looking at the calendar and see Memorial Day is around the corner. Do you know what that means? It's front-page Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and the Rich Really Are Different time! ...
Update -- It's also time to haul out the 'Nantucket Page 1 Watch' feature of Hub Blog. Not to be confused with the Cereals at Ivy League Schools Tracker. ... Always, always, always remember: 'The big question is why.'
Update II -- What's this? A story about Wentworth grads and construction jobs? We don't need no stinkin' stories about Wentworth grads and construction jobs. .... (But what if they're building homes on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket?-ed. Well, that's different.)
'So many potent forces'
Another JFK conspiracy book and a review that says that arguments that offer multiple theories without having real proof should nevertheless be read. Okaaay. ...
Another JFK conspiracy book and a review that says that arguments that offer multiple theories without having real proof should nevertheless be read. Okaaay. ...
Saturday, May 19, 2007
'The Lost Constitution'
I'm reading William Martin's latest set-in-Boston historical novel, 'The Lost Constitution.' I'm getting hooked on the tome. But I did find one major historical inaccuracy in the opening pages set in contemporary Boston. See if you can spot it:
The answer is here. Verified proof is here. ... Maybe Martin can fix the mistake in the paperback edition. ...
I'm reading William Martin's latest set-in-Boston historical novel, 'The Lost Constitution.' I'm getting hooked on the tome. But I did find one major historical inaccuracy in the opening pages set in contemporary Boston. See if you can spot it:
But there was no sign of life in the three-decker, just an old Plymouth minivan parked out front.
So Peter kept going down to the intersection, pulled into a Dunkin' Donuts, and bought half a dozen jelly crullers and raised glazed.
The answer is here. Verified proof is here. ... Maybe Martin can fix the mistake in the paperback edition. ...
Friday, May 18, 2007
'How he has always seen himself'
He thought he could transform the Middle East. He thought he could transform the World Bank. Wrong on both counts. ... Paul D. Wolfowitz was probably sincere in his desire to clean up the World Bank's high-minded hackerama. But I have little doubt that a.) he simply lost out in a complex game of ethical footsie played by both sides b.) he employed the same ham-handed tactics that may have worked at the Pentagon with the support of the secretary of defense -- but led to bureaucratic blowback at a World Bank where even the janitors were against him. He shouldn't have been appointed to the job in the first place. ...
As for international organizations in general, one has to see them up close and personal to truly appreciate how insulated they are from both accountability and reality. I was living in Cameroon when the World Bank was negotiating with Chad on funding for a new oil pipeline that would ultimately run through Cameroon. It seemed everyone on the streets in Cameroon knew the Chad government was about to take the World Bank to the cleaners. Sure enough, the oil and money started flowing-- and one of the first things the Chad government did with its new cash was buy military helicopters, not school books for the kids. The World Bank was outraged. But as one NGO type later put it to me, "Seriously, what were they expecting?" ... I bring this up only because the Chad fiasco is mentioned in the above article. ...
He thought he could transform the Middle East. He thought he could transform the World Bank. Wrong on both counts. ... Paul D. Wolfowitz was probably sincere in his desire to clean up the World Bank's high-minded hackerama. But I have little doubt that a.) he simply lost out in a complex game of ethical footsie played by both sides b.) he employed the same ham-handed tactics that may have worked at the Pentagon with the support of the secretary of defense -- but led to bureaucratic blowback at a World Bank where even the janitors were against him. He shouldn't have been appointed to the job in the first place. ...
As for international organizations in general, one has to see them up close and personal to truly appreciate how insulated they are from both accountability and reality. I was living in Cameroon when the World Bank was negotiating with Chad on funding for a new oil pipeline that would ultimately run through Cameroon. It seemed everyone on the streets in Cameroon knew the Chad government was about to take the World Bank to the cleaners. Sure enough, the oil and money started flowing-- and one of the first things the Chad government did with its new cash was buy military helicopters, not school books for the kids. The World Bank was outraged. But as one NGO type later put it to me, "Seriously, what were they expecting?" ... I bring this up only because the Chad fiasco is mentioned in the above article. ...
Thursday, May 17, 2007
'No legal basis'
David has an excellent post summarizing the testimony of James Comey in the domestic spying brouhaha. I'm not sure about the impeachment idea. But the whole affair -- including the frantic race to Ashcroft's hospital bed -- reminds me of the Nixon White House days. ... The current administration indeed seems to be refighting the political battles not of the '60s -- but of the '70s. From keeping Congress in the dark to asserting executive privilege in a time of war, the Nixon holdovers (you know who they are) seem obsessed with winning points against foes from decades past -- and they seem doomed to keep repeating the mistakes from decades past. ... I know they're well intentioned. They're trying to prevent terrorist strikes against their fellow citizens. But as Peggy Noonan once said of those in the administration: "One wonders if they shouldn't ease up, calm down, breathe deep, get more securely grounded." ... Don't forget her 'passions of the inaugural' piece. ... P.S. -- I know there are plenty of Dems reliving their own Vietnam-Watergate days. No need to point it out to me.
David has an excellent post summarizing the testimony of James Comey in the domestic spying brouhaha. I'm not sure about the impeachment idea. But the whole affair -- including the frantic race to Ashcroft's hospital bed -- reminds me of the Nixon White House days. ... The current administration indeed seems to be refighting the political battles not of the '60s -- but of the '70s. From keeping Congress in the dark to asserting executive privilege in a time of war, the Nixon holdovers (you know who they are) seem obsessed with winning points against foes from decades past -- and they seem doomed to keep repeating the mistakes from decades past. ... I know they're well intentioned. They're trying to prevent terrorist strikes against their fellow citizens. But as Peggy Noonan once said of those in the administration: "One wonders if they shouldn't ease up, calm down, breathe deep, get more securely grounded." ... Don't forget her 'passions of the inaugural' piece. ... P.S. -- I know there are plenty of Dems reliving their own Vietnam-Watergate days. No need to point it out to me.
'As a Neiman neo-Marxist ...'
I don't have a dog in this fight. But Armchair Gen. Savin Hill, a regular Hub Blog correspondent who's about to move back to Brighton, takes exception (see comment below Adam's post) to Redstar Perspective's fears about a changing Brighton Center. SH's point: Before the current romanticized Brighton Center-Oak Square, the neighborhood was a pit. ... From my own observations, the neighborhood is now in that sweet spot in between urban neglect and urban gentrification. It's recovered, but hasn't quite been discovered yet by chains that will ultimately destroy its non-chain charm. ... FYI: I remember when Oak Square was called 'Needle Park.' I'm sure Brighton Reader, an AWOL Hub Blog correspondent and long-time resident of the area, has thoughts on the matter. Where are you, Brighton Reader? ...
I don't have a dog in this fight. But Armchair Gen. Savin Hill, a regular Hub Blog correspondent who's about to move back to Brighton, takes exception (see comment below Adam's post) to Redstar Perspective's fears about a changing Brighton Center. SH's point: Before the current romanticized Brighton Center-Oak Square, the neighborhood was a pit. ... From my own observations, the neighborhood is now in that sweet spot in between urban neglect and urban gentrification. It's recovered, but hasn't quite been discovered yet by chains that will ultimately destroy its non-chain charm. ... FYI: I remember when Oak Square was called 'Needle Park.' I'm sure Brighton Reader, an AWOL Hub Blog correspondent and long-time resident of the area, has thoughts on the matter. Where are you, Brighton Reader? ...
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
'Poppy fields are now a front line'
The War on Terror morphs into the War on Drugs. Now I'm really worried about whether we'll win the former, based on our past success rate in the latter. ... I've read elsewhere that a counterintuitive approach might be just to buy Afghan poppies for medical purposes. But that would be thinking too far out of the box, apparently. ...
The War on Terror morphs into the War on Drugs. Now I'm really worried about whether we'll win the former, based on our past success rate in the latter. ... I've read elsewhere that a counterintuitive approach might be just to buy Afghan poppies for medical purposes. But that would be thinking too far out of the box, apparently. ...
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
'Peanut butter, pickle and mayonnaise sandwiches,' Part III
Ok, the last word from Bert:
Ok, the last word from Bert:
The thought of a peanut butter-mayo-pickle concoction makes me want to throw up in my mouth.
Here are two I like:
Peanut butter, jelly and a slice of cheese. The cheese adds a nice texture to the sandwich.
Or Peanut butter, jelly and potato chips. Pringles are good, but Ruffles are preferred. The more crunch the better.
That peanut butter bacon things sounds fantastic. Can’t wait to try it.
'A beloved son'
Jules has a sad post on the death in Iraq of Andrew J. Bacevich, son of BU professor Andy Bacevich. A terrible loss. ...
Jules has a sad post on the death in Iraq of Andrew J. Bacevich, son of BU professor Andy Bacevich. A terrible loss. ...
'Dynastification of American political life'
Interesting discussion here about how a Hillary victory could lead to 28 straight years of Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton. That might be great for the talking classes. But not for the nation. ... FYI: I mentioned the prospect of a dynastic era last month. But I got the years wrong. What's the old saying about journalists not being good at math? ... FYI II: Kevin Phillip's 'American Dynasty' explores the history of the Bush family's role in American politics. Not pretty. It won't get better with a Clintonian counter dynasty. ...
Interesting discussion here about how a Hillary victory could lead to 28 straight years of Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton. That might be great for the talking classes. But not for the nation. ... FYI: I mentioned the prospect of a dynastic era last month. But I got the years wrong. What's the old saying about journalists not being good at math? ... FYI II: Kevin Phillip's 'American Dynasty' explores the history of the Bush family's role in American politics. Not pretty. It won't get better with a Clintonian counter dynasty. ...
'Peanut butter, pickle and mayonnaise sandwiches,' Part II
The Cult of the Peanut Butter, Pickle and Mayonnaise Sandwich may be larger than we thought. From a reader:
As I emailed back, I use both, but mostly "sher bit." Certainly not "sher bay," BTW. ... From another reader:
Update -- The second reader, Jon, writes back in response to a theory that all red-blooded Americans who like bacon and peanut butter sandwiches also like creamed chipped beef:
The Cult of the Peanut Butter, Pickle and Mayonnaise Sandwich may be larger than we thought. From a reader:
My dad calls the Peanut Butter, Mayo (yes, miracle whip is prefered), and pickle sandwich a "Glop" sandwich. inherited from his father...but they often use the variation that involves velveta "cheese" and relish to substitute the pickle. ... and, a side note, when you say "Sherbet" do you pronounce it "sher bert" or "sher bit"?
As I emailed back, I use both, but mostly "sher bit." Certainly not "sher bay," BTW. ... From another reader:
PB and bacon. On toast. Delicious. One of the ultimate bachelor foods.
I feel compelled to pass along a concoction (there is no other word for it) that a former housemate passed along to me: chocolate chip ice cream, apple sauce and beer. Yes....beer. Not more than a bit of a dribble, and preferably Stroh's. And I would not have believed it if I hadn't tried it.
Update -- The second reader, Jon, writes back in response to a theory that all red-blooded Americans who like bacon and peanut butter sandwiches also like creamed chipped beef:
Chip beef on toast with hard boiled egg...of course.
And for the record - while I did try the ice cream/beer thing, it did not tickle my culinary senses.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
'What We Got Right In Iraq'
When you see the headline 'What we got right in Iraq' and the word 'by' and the name 'L. Paul Bremer,' you can't help but think, 'This is going to fun.' And, yes, Bremer is reacting to what George Tenet has written. ... Keep in mind: The now-battling Bremer and Tenet both received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bush. So at least one of them has to be wrong. Right? ... All we need now is Tommy Franks to jump into the fray to make it a Medal of Freedom threefer. ... Dougie Feith is there already! Hold on. He didn't win a Medal of Freedom. Never mind. ...
... Actually, Bremer, a good man, makes a decent case that the Iraqi army was already disbanded when he officially disbanded it -- though that argument leads to the obvious questions about why he felt compelled to disband something that was already disbanded and why he later brags in the op-ed about how the army was later rebuilt to 80 percent of its pre-invasion capacity. ... Maybe one day Bremer can explain and/or deny that, according to Tom Ricks in 'Fiasco,' he once told someone who warned him about a growing insurgency and how counterinsurgency measures learned from Vietnam might be in order, "Vietnam! I don't want to talk about Vietnam. This is not Vietnam. This is Iraq!" ...Nearly four years later, General Petraeus is now employing many of those same counterinsurgency measures learned from Vietnam. ...
When you see the headline 'What we got right in Iraq' and the word 'by' and the name 'L. Paul Bremer,' you can't help but think, 'This is going to fun.' And, yes, Bremer is reacting to what George Tenet has written. ... Keep in mind: The now-battling Bremer and Tenet both received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bush. So at least one of them has to be wrong. Right? ... All we need now is Tommy Franks to jump into the fray to make it a Medal of Freedom threefer. ... Dougie Feith is there already! Hold on. He didn't win a Medal of Freedom. Never mind. ...
... Actually, Bremer, a good man, makes a decent case that the Iraqi army was already disbanded when he officially disbanded it -- though that argument leads to the obvious questions about why he felt compelled to disband something that was already disbanded and why he later brags in the op-ed about how the army was later rebuilt to 80 percent of its pre-invasion capacity. ... Maybe one day Bremer can explain and/or deny that, according to Tom Ricks in 'Fiasco,' he once told someone who warned him about a growing insurgency and how counterinsurgency measures learned from Vietnam might be in order, "Vietnam! I don't want to talk about Vietnam. This is not Vietnam. This is Iraq!" ...Nearly four years later, General Petraeus is now employing many of those same counterinsurgency measures learned from Vietnam. ...
'Peanut butter, pickle and mayonnaise sandwiches'
I know the story is about a serious topic: contaminated foods. But my non-serious mind this morning was drawn to the mention of peanut butter, pickle and mayonnaise sandwiches. Huh? I happen to love bacon and peanut butter sandwiches. I accept the barbaric custom of peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I could even be convinced that pickle and peanut butter sandwiches are mutant second-cousin offshoots of the two aforesaid sandwiches. But mayonnaise and peanut butter? Please don't tell me it was Miracle Whip. Then I'd really gag. ...
Update -- Speaking of officially approved Hub Blog food, I'd like to make another recommendation: Hood's Rainbow Sherbet. Not sorbet. Sherbet. Yummy. And less fat than ice cream. ... Past junk recommendations: Frozen Mystic Pizza (all natural!) and, of course, Briggie's chocolate chip ice cream (no fancy-wancy names for me, just chocolate chip straight up by the quart). ...
I know the story is about a serious topic: contaminated foods. But my non-serious mind this morning was drawn to the mention of peanut butter, pickle and mayonnaise sandwiches. Huh? I happen to love bacon and peanut butter sandwiches. I accept the barbaric custom of peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I could even be convinced that pickle and peanut butter sandwiches are mutant second-cousin offshoots of the two aforesaid sandwiches. But mayonnaise and peanut butter? Please don't tell me it was Miracle Whip. Then I'd really gag. ...
Update -- Speaking of officially approved Hub Blog food, I'd like to make another recommendation: Hood's Rainbow Sherbet. Not sorbet. Sherbet. Yummy. And less fat than ice cream. ... Past junk recommendations: Frozen Mystic Pizza (all natural!) and, of course, Briggie's chocolate chip ice cream (no fancy-wancy names for me, just chocolate chip straight up by the quart). ...
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Et tu, Tufts?
Another university is cracking down on free speech, this time at Tufts University over a conservative student newspaper's depiction of Islam. Obviously, it's discouraging to see yet another one of these PC show-trial incidents unfold. But it's also discouraging to see how conservatives rally around the young ones without acknowledging that, well, what was said was in fact intellectually immature and meant to offend. Keep in mind the same conservative Tufts newspaper recently ran a carol called 'O Come All Ye Black Folk.' Can anyone really defend that? I'm sure some conservatives have tried. ... The really discouraging thing about these now predictable showdowns between righty student newspapers and Crucible-like lefty judges is that the same students often graduate to the National Review and Nation etc. -- and the never-ending left-right-paradigm feud continues, polluting the nation's political discourse in the process. ...
Another university is cracking down on free speech, this time at Tufts University over a conservative student newspaper's depiction of Islam. Obviously, it's discouraging to see yet another one of these PC show-trial incidents unfold. But it's also discouraging to see how conservatives rally around the young ones without acknowledging that, well, what was said was in fact intellectually immature and meant to offend. Keep in mind the same conservative Tufts newspaper recently ran a carol called 'O Come All Ye Black Folk.' Can anyone really defend that? I'm sure some conservatives have tried. ... The really discouraging thing about these now predictable showdowns between righty student newspapers and Crucible-like lefty judges is that the same students often graduate to the National Review and Nation etc. -- and the never-ending left-right-paradigm feud continues, polluting the nation's political discourse in the process. ...
'Wagnerian exit from the White House,' Part II
Is it deja vu all over again? Dick Cheney is talking tough again. The administration is divided again. Time to link to a prior post again: 'Why George Bush should resist a Wagnerian exit from the White House.' ... I simply don't trust this adminstration's ability to think through, let alone implement, policies. So I remain a Containment Man on Iran. ... Speaking of the inept, it's a Ghost of Katrina Past! Loved this line about Gov. Blanco: "Her performance during Katrina was roundly criticized and her approval ratings in Louisiana, which rival those of President Bush nationally, never recovered." The same miserable poll levels. How fitting. ...
Is it deja vu all over again? Dick Cheney is talking tough again. The administration is divided again. Time to link to a prior post again: 'Why George Bush should resist a Wagnerian exit from the White House.' ... I simply don't trust this adminstration's ability to think through, let alone implement, policies. So I remain a Containment Man on Iran. ... Speaking of the inept, it's a Ghost of Katrina Past! Loved this line about Gov. Blanco: "Her performance during Katrina was roundly criticized and her approval ratings in Louisiana, which rival those of President Bush nationally, never recovered." The same miserable poll levels. How fitting. ...
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Blogger war!
More like an implosion at a blogger munitions factory. But still ... Full Comp is apparently no more but a cached version can be found here. Comments about the site -- during its brief rise and fall -- can be found here. ...
Update, 5.11.07 -- Super Soigne speaks. ... Via Adam's site.
More like an implosion at a blogger munitions factory. But still ... Full Comp is apparently no more but a cached version can be found here. Comments about the site -- during its brief rise and fall -- can be found here. ...
Update, 5.11.07 -- Super Soigne speaks. ... Via Adam's site.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Monday, May 07, 2007
'Toast'
Wonder why Democrats are so optimistic these days? Read this post and then this one. ... The latter is largely the function of the former. ...
Wonder why Democrats are so optimistic these days? Read this post and then this one. ... The latter is largely the function of the former. ...
'The system doesn't work well'
Virginia authorities didn't even understand mental health laws -- let alone enforce them in the case of the Virginia Tech killer. ... Something needs to be done. Not a return to mass forced commitments. But something.
Virginia authorities didn't even understand mental health laws -- let alone enforce them in the case of the Virginia Tech killer. ... Something needs to be done. Not a return to mass forced commitments. But something.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
'One of my first brushes with greatness'
John could have been a star. ... BTW: Of course we remember Jaws 2, not to be confused with Jaws II. ...
Update -- Reader No. 1: "They never made 'Jaws 3, People 0'... which couldn't have been worse than what was actually made." ... The script for 'Jaws 3, People 0' sounds great to me. ...
John could have been a star. ... BTW: Of course we remember Jaws 2, not to be confused with Jaws II. ...
Update -- Reader No. 1: "They never made 'Jaws 3, People 0'... which couldn't have been worse than what was actually made." ... The script for 'Jaws 3, People 0' sounds great to me. ...
'Boston Anti-Bell Ringing Society'
Yet another thing banned in Boston. A short history of the word 'O.K.' is thrown in for good measure. ...
Yet another thing banned in Boston. A short history of the word 'O.K.' is thrown in for good measure. ...
'When Bonds hits his 756th, real fans ...'
Hank deserves to have his record broken by A-Rod, not Puffy Face. Here's why. ...
Hank deserves to have his record broken by A-Rod, not Puffy Face. Here's why. ...
Saturday, May 05, 2007
'Blogger & Podcaster'
Armchair Gen. Savin Hill sends in this link to a new trade magazine 'Blogger & Podcaster.' Sounds like an oh-so serious cross between 'Editor & Publisher' and 'Field & Stream.' ... Love the action photo of Robert Scoble on the cover. Yeah, that's who we are. Action bloggers! ... No bloggers in pajamas with bad morning hair and cups of coffee. We're action bloggers! ... The magazine reportedly is going after 'professional practitioners of digital media.' Professionals? In the blogosphere? I do believe they're starting out with a mighty small circulation base. ... Then again, it does say it's 'for aspiring new media titans.' In that case, we're talking about a HUGE potential circulation base. ...
Armchair Gen. Savin Hill sends in this link to a new trade magazine 'Blogger & Podcaster.' Sounds like an oh-so serious cross between 'Editor & Publisher' and 'Field & Stream.' ... Love the action photo of Robert Scoble on the cover. Yeah, that's who we are. Action bloggers! ... No bloggers in pajamas with bad morning hair and cups of coffee. We're action bloggers! ... The magazine reportedly is going after 'professional practitioners of digital media.' Professionals? In the blogosphere? I do believe they're starting out with a mighty small circulation base. ... Then again, it does say it's 'for aspiring new media titans.' In that case, we're talking about a HUGE potential circulation base. ...
'The action officer'
George Tenet's new book gets a very odd review from ... Bob Woodward, who acknowledges he urged Tenet to write a memoir and even spent a day with Tenet to 'suggest questions he should try to address.' Alas, George didn't follow Bob's advice, as we learn in the review. Alas, Bob also spends a lot of the review covering the 'slam dunk' remark that, surprise, he first unveiled in one of his books on the Bush administration. ... You don't get any more insiderish than this. ... Listen, I deeply admire Bob Woodward. But he really screwed up somewhere in his reporting on the Bush administration. Either 'Plan of Attack' and 'Bush at War' were fundamentally wrong in their largely favorable portrayals of the Bush admintration -- or 'State of Denial' is fundamentally wrong in its largely critical portrayal of the Bush administration. 'Repudiation' and 'mulligan' indeed. ... FYI: I happen to agree with Tenet that 'slam dunk' was used in a 'marketing' sense for justifying the war, not as the definitive argument for war. FYI II: I don't believe Bush made up his mind to go to war in Jan. 2003, as Woodward says in the review. Every non-Woodward book I've read makes clear that plans for war were clearly under way in 2001 -- and, sure enough, off to war we went. Frankly, I trust others' 'reporting' on this. ...
Update -- I tinkered with this post after I originally posted it. I initially got wrong when the 'slam dunk' remark was first published. So much for my 'reporting.' Everything else stands. ...
Update II -- If you haven't read Tom Ricks' 'Fiasco,' do so. Forget about George and Bob's books and inside squabbles over 'slam dunk.' The entire run-up to the war was profoundly and tragically screwed up. ...
George Tenet's new book gets a very odd review from ... Bob Woodward, who acknowledges he urged Tenet to write a memoir and even spent a day with Tenet to 'suggest questions he should try to address.' Alas, George didn't follow Bob's advice, as we learn in the review. Alas, Bob also spends a lot of the review covering the 'slam dunk' remark that, surprise, he first unveiled in one of his books on the Bush administration. ... You don't get any more insiderish than this. ... Listen, I deeply admire Bob Woodward. But he really screwed up somewhere in his reporting on the Bush administration. Either 'Plan of Attack' and 'Bush at War' were fundamentally wrong in their largely favorable portrayals of the Bush admintration -- or 'State of Denial' is fundamentally wrong in its largely critical portrayal of the Bush administration. 'Repudiation' and 'mulligan' indeed. ... FYI: I happen to agree with Tenet that 'slam dunk' was used in a 'marketing' sense for justifying the war, not as the definitive argument for war. FYI II: I don't believe Bush made up his mind to go to war in Jan. 2003, as Woodward says in the review. Every non-Woodward book I've read makes clear that plans for war were clearly under way in 2001 -- and, sure enough, off to war we went. Frankly, I trust others' 'reporting' on this. ...
Update -- I tinkered with this post after I originally posted it. I initially got wrong when the 'slam dunk' remark was first published. So much for my 'reporting.' Everything else stands. ...
Update II -- If you haven't read Tom Ricks' 'Fiasco,' do so. Forget about George and Bob's books and inside squabbles over 'slam dunk.' The entire run-up to the war was profoundly and tragically screwed up. ...
Friday, May 04, 2007
'Specifically, the young'uns seem to assume ...'
Mickey takes on the netroot 'whippersnappers,' who obviously have their own problems with deviators. But Mickey loses me when he says aging baby-boomer neolibs are merely being consistent with their youthful '60s principles. Mickey supporting the values of Tom Hayden and the Port Huron Statement? There must be sarcasm in there that I'm missing. ... Forgive me. I'm not overly familiar with the left-on-left battles of the '60s. I came of age during the '70s, when many of the 'problems of liberal orthodoxy became glaringly obvious' indeed. But didn't Port Huron out lefty the orthodox liberalism of JFK and LBJ? ... FYI: Though at opposite ends of the political spectrum, the Port Huron Statement and 'Wealth of Nations' do share one thing in common: They're both unreadable. ...
Mickey takes on the netroot 'whippersnappers,' who obviously have their own problems with deviators. But Mickey loses me when he says aging baby-boomer neolibs are merely being consistent with their youthful '60s principles. Mickey supporting the values of Tom Hayden and the Port Huron Statement? There must be sarcasm in there that I'm missing. ... Forgive me. I'm not overly familiar with the left-on-left battles of the '60s. I came of age during the '70s, when many of the 'problems of liberal orthodoxy became glaringly obvious' indeed. But didn't Port Huron out lefty the orthodox liberalism of JFK and LBJ? ... FYI: Though at opposite ends of the political spectrum, the Port Huron Statement and 'Wealth of Nations' do share one thing in common: They're both unreadable. ...
Thursday, May 03, 2007
'Tom "Benedict" Brady'
You've probably already seen this. But Hub Blog's Manhattan WMD Spy writes in about the 'traitor in our midst' and points to this site. ...
You've probably already seen this. But Hub Blog's Manhattan WMD Spy writes in about the 'traitor in our midst' and points to this site. ...
'There's only one problem'
I fell for it. Glenn, while linking to this column about the odd lack of good anti-communist movies, points out there's always 'Total Eclipse.' Reading about it, I thought, 'Wow! What a great movie. Should I watch it in the theaters or on DVD? When does it come out?' ... Alas. ... Robert Duvall did star in the made-for-TV 'Stalin.' It was pretty good. There's also the German-made 'The Lives of Others,' which I haven't seen. But I get the TCS point. ...
I fell for it. Glenn, while linking to this column about the odd lack of good anti-communist movies, points out there's always 'Total Eclipse.' Reading about it, I thought, 'Wow! What a great movie. Should I watch it in the theaters or on DVD? When does it come out?' ... Alas. ... Robert Duvall did star in the made-for-TV 'Stalin.' It was pretty good. There's also the German-made 'The Lives of Others,' which I haven't seen. But I get the TCS point. ...
'His greatest liability has been religious bias'
I don't hang around Republican evangelical types, so I can't say if Bob Novak is right or wrong when he asserts Mitt's Mormonism is his 'greatest liability.' I just assume everyone sees Mitt the same way I do: as a consummate empty-suit flip-flopper. But I find it more than just a coincidence that PBS and Hollywood have all of a sudden discovered Mormonism as a subject of serious examination and screen entertainment. Mitt's getting it from both the religious right and secular left. ... Not that I didn't like the recent PBS series on Mormons. It was quite good, though it was about an hour too long for my taste. Still, as I watched the show, I couldn't help but think, 'Couldn't a lot of this institutional wackiness be applied to just about any organized religion?' Religion is an important component of judging a candidate. I don't want a religious zealot anywhere near the red button or constitution. But if the Mountain Meadows Massacre is now fair game in the election, then the more recent Pedophile Scandal is also fair game. Do we really want to go down this road? ...
I don't hang around Republican evangelical types, so I can't say if Bob Novak is right or wrong when he asserts Mitt's Mormonism is his 'greatest liability.' I just assume everyone sees Mitt the same way I do: as a consummate empty-suit flip-flopper. But I find it more than just a coincidence that PBS and Hollywood have all of a sudden discovered Mormonism as a subject of serious examination and screen entertainment. Mitt's getting it from both the religious right and secular left. ... Not that I didn't like the recent PBS series on Mormons. It was quite good, though it was about an hour too long for my taste. Still, as I watched the show, I couldn't help but think, 'Couldn't a lot of this institutional wackiness be applied to just about any organized religion?' Religion is an important component of judging a candidate. I don't want a religious zealot anywhere near the red button or constitution. But if the Mountain Meadows Massacre is now fair game in the election, then the more recent Pedophile Scandal is also fair game. Do we really want to go down this road? ...
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
'And in Massachusetts the winners are ...'
Armchair Gen. Savin Hill notes Robert's post about popular baby names. And in Massachusetts the winners are ... well, let's just say it's not Ashley for girls, thank goodness.
Update -- And Armchair Gen. Savin Hill sends in this YouTube video with the comment, "Why Indians make terrible, terrible cowboys." ... I've never heard of a cow drop kick anything. ...
Armchair Gen. Savin Hill notes Robert's post about popular baby names. And in Massachusetts the winners are ... well, let's just say it's not Ashley for girls, thank goodness.
Update -- And Armchair Gen. Savin Hill sends in this YouTube video with the comment, "Why Indians make terrible, terrible cowboys." ... I've never heard of a cow drop kick anything. ...
Adam Gaffin is paranoid
Read this funny preemptive post by Adam and then Margery's column. Adam, you're: A.) Paranoid B.) Hip. Really! ... Adam's crack about Twitter -- “I just took a breath ... I just took another breath'' -- reminded me I haven't been to the Dullest Blog in the World for a while. It's Twitter on valium. It used to be Twitter on nitrous oxide when it first started out. But even dull blogs change. ...
Read this funny preemptive post by Adam and then Margery's column. Adam, you're: A.) Paranoid B.) Hip. Really! ... Adam's crack about Twitter -- “I just took a breath ... I just took another breath'' -- reminded me I haven't been to the Dullest Blog in the World for a while. It's Twitter on valium. It used to be Twitter on nitrous oxide when it first started out. But even dull blogs change. ...
