Saturday, November 27, 2004
Real Public Diplomacy
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead!
Saturday, November 20, 2004
An album worth the price
Warren Zevon was one of the great American songwriters. Every song told a story. They either hit you in the gut or make you laugh out loud. The evidence of Zevon’s genius has been proven by “Enjoy every Sandwich”, a compilation of Zevon songs done by other artists. From the Pixies to Dylan to the Boss himself, the songs are outstanding.
Adam Sandler sings “Werewolves of London.” Enough said.
Adam Sandler sings “Werewolves of London.” Enough said.
Thought and Action
The sentiment in my post regarding Target is real. There are things about life that extend beyond politics. I know this seems shocking. A company should not be impelled to support the Salvation Army for many reasons. But the human beings, who run that company should, in a moral sense, understand the role that they play in the community.
This is a thought I have not fleshed out yet. I am working on it. But I believe that there is something valuable about communities and traditions that we have lost in our current political debates.
As an example, if Boston’s Copley Plaza did not hang their gargantuan Christmas ornaments in their multi-story atrium action would be required. I would raise an Army from the hordes in Jesus Land, invade Boston, slaughter the Kennedys, and restore the right order of things.
Actually maybe I should start working on that immediately.
This is a thought I have not fleshed out yet. I am working on it. But I believe that there is something valuable about communities and traditions that we have lost in our current political debates.
As an example, if Boston’s Copley Plaza did not hang their gargantuan Christmas ornaments in their multi-story atrium action would be required. I would raise an Army from the hordes in Jesus Land, invade Boston, slaughter the Kennedys, and restore the right order of things.
Actually maybe I should start working on that immediately.
Thursday, November 18, 2004
To Hell with Target
Target banned the Salvation Army from their storefronts this year so that they can are not forced to choose between competing charities and to protect their customers from being harassed.
Is nothing worth preserving? The ringing bell and red kettle are always outside the stores and malls in December. They are a part of the texture of our holidays. And the charity itself is an excellent organization that descends from the great social gospel movement of the 1800s and early 1900s.
Our lives are not dictated by the past, but there is some value in our traditions.
Is nothing worth preserving? The ringing bell and red kettle are always outside the stores and malls in December. They are a part of the texture of our holidays. And the charity itself is an excellent organization that descends from the great social gospel movement of the 1800s and early 1900s.
Our lives are not dictated by the past, but there is some value in our traditions.
Notes on “I am Charlotte Simmons”
Wolfe immediately creates the perfect girl: brilliant and also beautiful without knowing it. The character has that quality, elusive in the Post-Modern Era, of purity. Not simply a virginal purity, which is there. She is also pure in a Kierkegaardian sense of being dedicated to one thing: the life of the mind. The tragedy of the book is that this type of purity is anathema to the social life in the universities of our day.
From my admittedly whiskey blurred memories, Wolfe nails the College Zeitgeist. We now see College as an Experience not as an education.
Wolfe writes compellingly. The dialogue is realistic. The story moves quickly. And we are talking about a monstrously huge book.
There are hints of Nietzsche throughout. This is fitting. The characters all deal with a crisis created by the clash of their values against a status driven, even uncivilized, morality that pervades their milieu. Nietzsche wrote that the Death of God would lead to the upheaval of the value systems of the past. Quite possibly we are living in the midst of that. But we live without Nietzsche's fantasy of becoming Super-Men.
The book is ultimately great not because of the ideas that so captivate your humble blogger. It is great because we see and feel this young woman slam into the social world of college. Her trials and transformations are heartbreaking. Wolfe forces us to understand the pain of a dumb jock realizing he is just a dumb jock, and of a geek fighting against his emasculated place in the world. The book illuminates the politicized university that acts as the backdrop to this story.
I will stop here without giving away anything more. Buy the book.
From my admittedly whiskey blurred memories, Wolfe nails the College Zeitgeist. We now see College as an Experience not as an education.
Wolfe writes compellingly. The dialogue is realistic. The story moves quickly. And we are talking about a monstrously huge book.
There are hints of Nietzsche throughout. This is fitting. The characters all deal with a crisis created by the clash of their values against a status driven, even uncivilized, morality that pervades their milieu. Nietzsche wrote that the Death of God would lead to the upheaval of the value systems of the past. Quite possibly we are living in the midst of that. But we live without Nietzsche's fantasy of becoming Super-Men.
The book is ultimately great not because of the ideas that so captivate your humble blogger. It is great because we see and feel this young woman slam into the social world of college. Her trials and transformations are heartbreaking. Wolfe forces us to understand the pain of a dumb jock realizing he is just a dumb jock, and of a geek fighting against his emasculated place in the world. The book illuminates the politicized university that acts as the backdrop to this story.
I will stop here without giving away anything more. Buy the book.
A hopefully excusable absence.
I spent the last week engrossed in Wolfe’s latest opus. I apologize for the lack of blogging that resulted from this.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Good gracious!
I almost missed it. I thought that I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe was being released on the 19th of November not the 9th. My penance will be to immediately leave my home, brave the cold and dark night, trek to the nearest bookstore, and buy a copy.
Within a few hours, I will curl up with the book and a glass of red wine. Wonderful.
Within a few hours, I will curl up with the book and a glass of red wine. Wonderful.
Goldberg Rocks!
To paraphrase Rushmore “Best G-File ever man.”
Jonah Goldberg is in rare form with dead on comments about the Left and atheism. He even makes a metaphor about Love work.
If I wrote like that maybe somebody would be reading this site.
Jonah Goldberg is in rare form with dead on comments about the Left and atheism. He even makes a metaphor about Love work.
If I wrote like that maybe somebody would be reading this site.
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Why stop Specter?
Why is Specter unacceptable as Chairman? He is unacceptable for reasons of both temperament and judicial philosophy.
Specter had the swing vote that destroyed Judge Bork’s nomination to the Supreme Court in the 1980s. Bork, who single-handedly brought sanity to our anti-trust laws, was a Yale Professor and Judge who had never had an opinion overturned by the Supreme Court. Although his opinions were very similar to Supreme Court Justice Scalia’s, he was personally attacked as a racist and a bigot. Agree or disagree with Bork, his rejection was vicious, personal, and destructive to our civic culture. Specter’s vote legitimized this process.
As for judicial philosophy, there are different ways to look at it. The animating idea on the Right is one of original intent, whereby a judge’s opinion should conform to the intention of the law as it was written. Most people who agree with this idea see Roe V. Wade as a horrendous example of judicial overreach. The issue is not abortion. The issue is that somehow the constitution guarantees abortion. And to get to that opinion the court had to have 20 years of decisions based on a specious “Living Constitution” doctrine.
Specter seems to agree that “rights” such as abortion must be protected judicially, regardless of the Constitution. I disagree. Whether we have legal abortions or not, is a matter for deliberative democracy, not a matter to be decided by the personal opinions of nine lawyers. And rights created by judicial fiat are not only arbitrary but they weaken society’s faith in the strength of our Constitution. The health of our civic society depends on nominating judges who Specter will oppose. He has to go.
Specter had the swing vote that destroyed Judge Bork’s nomination to the Supreme Court in the 1980s. Bork, who single-handedly brought sanity to our anti-trust laws, was a Yale Professor and Judge who had never had an opinion overturned by the Supreme Court. Although his opinions were very similar to Supreme Court Justice Scalia’s, he was personally attacked as a racist and a bigot. Agree or disagree with Bork, his rejection was vicious, personal, and destructive to our civic culture. Specter’s vote legitimized this process.
As for judicial philosophy, there are different ways to look at it. The animating idea on the Right is one of original intent, whereby a judge’s opinion should conform to the intention of the law as it was written. Most people who agree with this idea see Roe V. Wade as a horrendous example of judicial overreach. The issue is not abortion. The issue is that somehow the constitution guarantees abortion. And to get to that opinion the court had to have 20 years of decisions based on a specious “Living Constitution” doctrine.
Specter seems to agree that “rights” such as abortion must be protected judicially, regardless of the Constitution. I disagree. Whether we have legal abortions or not, is a matter for deliberative democracy, not a matter to be decided by the personal opinions of nine lawyers. And rights created by judicial fiat are not only arbitrary but they weaken society’s faith in the strength of our Constitution. The health of our civic society depends on nominating judges who Specter will oppose. He has to go.
Our Sisyphian Task
There is a movement to stop Sen. Arlen Specter from ascending to the Chairman position of the Senate Judiciary Committee. K-Lo at NRO seems to have started the battle. But it is a battle we should all consider joining. Listed below are the phone numbers, fax numbers, and e-mail addresses for the Republican Senators on the Judiciary Committee. Contact them and let them know that Specter is unacceptable as Chairman. After decisively winning the election the President deserves a Chairman who will support his nominees not undermine them.
Orrin G. Hatch
CHAIRMAN
Tel: (202) 224-5251 Fax: (202) 224-6331
Email
Charles E. Grassley
IOWA
Tel:(202) 224-3744 Fax: No number listed
Email
Jon Kyl
ARIZONA
Tel: (202) 224-4521 Fax: (202) 224-2207
Email
Mike DeWine
OHIO
Tel: (202) 224-2315 Fax: (202) 224-6519
Email: Under “Contacts” on Website.
Jeff Sessions
ALABAMA
Tel: (202) 224-4124 Fax: (202) 224-3149
Email
Lindsey Graham
SOUTH CAROLINA
Tel: (202) 224-5972 Fax: No number listed.
Email
Larry Craig
IDAHO
Tel: (202) 224-2752 Fax: (202)-228-1067
Email: Under “Contact Me” on homepage.
Saxby Chambliss
GEORGIA
Tel: 202-224-3521 Fax: 202-224-0103
Email
John Cornyn
TEXAS
Tel: 202-224-2934 Fax: 202-228-2856
Email
Orrin G. Hatch
CHAIRMAN
Tel: (202) 224-5251 Fax: (202) 224-6331
Charles E. Grassley
IOWA
Tel:(202) 224-3744 Fax: No number listed
Jon Kyl
ARIZONA
Tel: (202) 224-4521 Fax: (202) 224-2207
Mike DeWine
OHIO
Tel: (202) 224-2315 Fax: (202) 224-6519
Email: Under “Contacts” on Website.
Jeff Sessions
ALABAMA
Tel: (202) 224-4124 Fax: (202) 224-3149
Lindsey Graham
SOUTH CAROLINA
Tel: (202) 224-5972 Fax: No number listed.
Larry Craig
IDAHO
Tel: (202) 224-2752 Fax: (202)-228-1067
Email: Under “Contact Me” on homepage.
Saxby Chambliss
GEORGIA
Tel: 202-224-3521 Fax: 202-224-0103
John Cornyn
TEXAS
Tel: 202-224-2934 Fax: 202-228-2856
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
I was wrong.
Bush has won which means I was wrong. Kerry did not act as a great closer. I still say that the media’s campaign narrative has been about the Kerry comeback (Newsweek’s articles on Kerry’s surge after the first debate bordered on propaganda.) Fair is fair and I was wrong.
But it really doesn’t bother me.
But it really doesn’t bother me.
Self-Deception in Bloggerville
The gay Conservative Catholic pundit (wrap your mind around that one) Andrew Sullivan called the race for Bush around 1am. Read his post. This Kerry supporter now hopes that we can all rally around the President in the War on Terror. At this late date, how can he not see the fundamental differences? How does he not realize that the Democratic leadership does not see this as an ongoing war? Right or wrong, there is a basic difference of opinion that Sullivan has missed.
“Fight for every vote”
So Edwards the big bad lawyer is going to fight for every vote. That sounds like a promise to sue. Hey thanks buddy, be a bigger jerk than Nixon.
Note: A newspaper consortium recounted Florida in 2000, and stated that any way the votes could be counted Bush would have won. But the Democrats always seem to forget that.
Note: A newspaper consortium recounted Florida in 2000, and stated that any way the votes could be counted Bush would have won. But the Democrats always seem to forget that.
Post-Election Blues
At 5:06am I awake with a hangover to an undecided election. How unpleasant.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Off To The Bar
My Election Day blogging is over. I am going to D.C. to watch the election results over a few drinks with a friend. I’ll throw up some analysis in the wee hours of the morning. Thanks for reading. And have a good night.
Best rejection I ever got!
I sent an e-mail to K-Lo at National Review Online (NRO) asking why there wasn’t an NRO party in D.C. And she quoted me online and shot me down at the same time. How cool is that? Now she did not refer to me by name, but I still think it’s awesome.
A little too hopeful….
Andrew Sullivan has a great pledge on his website.
After the election results are in, I promise to:
: Support the President, even if I didn't vote for him.
: Criticize the President, even if I did vote for him.
: Uphold standards of civilized discourse in blogs and in media while pushing both to be better.
: Unite as a nation, putting country over party, even as we work together to make America better.
The lawyers will ensure that no one will live up to this creed.
After the election results are in, I promise to:
: Support the President, even if I didn't vote for him.
: Criticize the President, even if I did vote for him.
: Uphold standards of civilized discourse in blogs and in media while pushing both to be better.
: Unite as a nation, putting country over party, even as we work together to make America better.
The lawyers will ensure that no one will live up to this creed.
Evidence of My Illiteracy
The following has been pointed out to me regarding my post about Edwards.
...'a young boy or a young girl' is treated as a plural so don't is correct.
I think the “or” does not allow you to treat this as a plural. But as I do not have my Strunk and White handy, I am doomed to languish in ignorance.
And yes I know that W is a much worse speaker. But while I thought Edwards was pandering, I think W is genuinely incomprehensible. For some reason, I think one is better than the other.
...'a young boy or a young girl' is treated as a plural so don't is correct.
I think the “or” does not allow you to treat this as a plural. But as I do not have my Strunk and White handy, I am doomed to languish in ignorance.
And yes I know that W is a much worse speaker. But while I thought Edwards was pandering, I think W is genuinely incomprehensible. For some reason, I think one is better than the other.
Sign of the Times
What we have here is a problem.
I don’t know the validity of this blog, but would it surprise you that an Ivy League school would use school resources to support Kerry-Edwards? Or that in a college town they do not ask for an ID when you vote?
Maybe what we have is a whole bunch of problems.
HatTip: Ann Althouse on Instapundit
Maybe what we have is a whole bunch of problems.
HatTip: Ann Althouse on Instapundit
Voting Issues?
A friend just voted in Fairfax County, Virginia. It took her two hours. She went early and waited in line. But when they opened the doors, everyone was made to vote alphabetically.
On top of that, the only poll watchers were Democrats. Where were the Republicans? Rep. Davis’s office is going to hear from one irate young woman today.
On top of that, the only poll watchers were Democrats. Where were the Republicans? Rep. Davis’s office is going to hear from one irate young woman today.
An Election Day Plea.
While speaking in St. Paul, MN John Edwards said the following:
“They don’t hear the voice of a young boy or a young girl who don’t understand why they’re being treated differently just because of the color of their skin.”
I know all politicians pander. But on top of the usual democratic appeal to racial divisions in this country, this guy has to be grammatically incorrect so that he sounds more like regular folks. This just pisses me off.
Please America, do not elect this rich pretty-boy ambulance chasing lawyer to the Vice Presidency. If we have to have a Kerry Presidency, maybe we could have the whole race thrown to the House. The grand compromise could give us a Nader Vice-Presidency. At least he doesn’t suck.
“They don’t hear the voice of a young boy or a young girl who don’t understand why they’re being treated differently just because of the color of their skin.”
I know all politicians pander. But on top of the usual democratic appeal to racial divisions in this country, this guy has to be grammatically incorrect so that he sounds more like regular folks. This just pisses me off.
Please America, do not elect this rich pretty-boy ambulance chasing lawyer to the Vice Presidency. If we have to have a Kerry Presidency, maybe we could have the whole race thrown to the House. The grand compromise could give us a Nader Vice-Presidency. At least he doesn’t suck.
Missed Opportunity
Far too late in the campaign I just realized what would have been a great T-shirt. It would be great in the sense that it would have pissed off all the right people.
“VOTE CHENEY FOR EMPEROR”
“VOTE CHENEY FOR EMPEROR”
Monday, November 01, 2004
The dangers of the insta-reaction
I was going to react with instantaneous hostility to this piece. Who are these damn “world leaders” to demand a change to the U.S. approach with regards to North Korea? After undermining us on Iraq, these guys have some nerve.
And then I, quickly, remembered that the Asian countries backed us, or stayed out of the way in Iraq. It was only France and Germany, two middling former powers, who turned on the U.S.
For half a second I bought into the Media’s vision of who a world leader is. Wow, that was close. I think I need a Martini.
And then I, quickly, remembered that the Asian countries backed us, or stayed out of the way in Iraq. It was only France and Germany, two middling former powers, who turned on the U.S.
For half a second I bought into the Media’s vision of who a world leader is. Wow, that was close. I think I need a Martini.
How did this happen?
I voted on Thursday and promptly priority mailed my ballot to Massachusetts. One peculiar thing was that Ralph Nader was not on the ballot. I know we are the Kerry state this election, but Nader couldn’t get enough support in the Finland Station of the American Left to be on the ballot? What the hell.
When can we kill all the lawyers?
I pray that Jonah Goldberg is correct and that this election is decisively won. Even if Kerry wins, I don’t want it to be close. I don’t want the damn lawyers taking control of the process. We still live in a democracy, don’t we? (Ok, it is a republic, but you know what I mean.)
On the flip side, if the lawyers do take over maybe there will be a revolutionary backlash. Then we can throw out this living-constitution-unlimited-lawsuits-bullshit that is just a cover for exploiting judicial power. At that point we can get on with following Shakespeare’s dictum
On the flip side, if the lawyers do take over maybe there will be a revolutionary backlash. Then we can throw out this living-constitution-unlimited-lawsuits-bullshit that is just a cover for exploiting judicial power. At that point we can get on with following Shakespeare’s dictum
Election Tracking
Check out www.electoral-vote.com. It is a great site with a breakdown of state by state polls. They mesh a few different polls together to get aggregates. Everything seems kosher, but to be honest I haven’t dug down and tried to fisk their methodology.
And Kerry now has a resounding lead. Of course Bush had one on Friday. Florida keeps flipping in the polls, and the original northwest territories (Ohio, Michigan, etc.) are displaying ominous signs of multiple personality disorder.
And Kerry now has a resounding lead. Of course Bush had one on Friday. Florida keeps flipping in the polls, and the original northwest territories (Ohio, Michigan, etc.) are displaying ominous signs of multiple personality disorder.
That Passion guy is talking again
A well-reasoned political commercial is rare. And I love the underlying understanding of how a free market works. Who knew Mel Gibson was a free market guy (ok we all did, but it is still cool?)
BTW, I am somewhat agnostic on the cloning/stem cell issue. My agnosticism is purely one of ignorance, my interest being more foreign policy than domestic. As opposed to my agnosticism on abortion, which is probably just intellectual cowardice.
