Lighter colored roofs cut energy costs.
Most of us, of course, can barely afford our mortgages, let alone a new roof. But millions of people this year have to put on a new roof anyway, and lighter colored shingles will cut down energy costs substantially.
I had to get half of my roof replaced last year because of a leak, and the roofing guy talked me into getting light gray shingles instead of the dark brown ones that we had. Glad he did. Now, I just have to save up some money to do the other half of the roof...
Friday, July 31, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Why the free market can't fix the health care problem
Krugman on why the free market can't cure healthcare.
Krugman makes an important point (one that Obama is trying to now make) that the problem isn't health care per se, but health care insurance.
Krugman makes an important point (one that Obama is trying to now make) that the problem isn't health care per se, but health care insurance.
Friday, July 24, 2009
New Zealand earthquake makes the whole country bigger
No pithy comment here, just something I thought was interesting: Earthquake moves NZ closer to Australia.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Insurance coverage of abortions?
In the larger debate over health care reform, er, health insurance reform, the far right seems particularly focused on their belief that a government plan would force taxpayers to cover abortions. This is a particularly small argument to make, IMO, but it does raise the question: What percentage of current plans already offer abortion coverage? The answer? No one seems to know.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The identity politics of the Right
While McCain's pick of Sarah Palin as running mate was one of the more obvious examples of the Right playing its own brand of identity politics, James Kirchick is exactly right in his critique of Harry Alford in his post.
Monday, July 20, 2009
A Changeable Book
Hemingway classic coming out in a new, cleaned-up version.
I remember working at Macmillan many years ago when it owned Scribner. There was one book by Hemingway that we would not grant permission to reprint from, since each of the three heirs wanted 50% of the income from any sub-rights deals.
The Hemingway estate should be Exhibit A in the argument "Why we need a shorter copyright term in the United States."
I remember working at Macmillan many years ago when it owned Scribner. There was one book by Hemingway that we would not grant permission to reprint from, since each of the three heirs wanted 50% of the income from any sub-rights deals.
The Hemingway estate should be Exhibit A in the argument "Why we need a shorter copyright term in the United States."
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Frank McCourt, RIP
Frank McCourt, the American with deep Irish roots, passed away of cancer, at age 78. Yahoo reprints the AP story.
I typically never read biographies, but the grip of Angela's Ashes was tight and didn't diminish even after I finished it. A terrific, horrifying, and amazing book.
I typically never read biographies, but the grip of Angela's Ashes was tight and didn't diminish even after I finished it. A terrific, horrifying, and amazing book.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Lazy blogging
Many bloggers are lazy.
The flip side of the huge army of bloggers overlooking mounds of data is that many of the aren't really reading, understanding, and forming coherent opinions on the topic. They are skimmers. Most of them are just looking for stuff that matches their own biases--the internet is a sort of arms bazaar for those people, where they can go from table to table gearing up for the fight.
The problem (among many) is that these are the self-appointed "new news" people. And on complicated issues like climate change, health care, and the economy skimming for sound bites is a huge disservice all around.
I don't have an answer here, BTW. I'm just sayin'.
The flip side of the huge army of bloggers overlooking mounds of data is that many of the aren't really reading, understanding, and forming coherent opinions on the topic. They are skimmers. Most of them are just looking for stuff that matches their own biases--the internet is a sort of arms bazaar for those people, where they can go from table to table gearing up for the fight.
The problem (among many) is that these are the self-appointed "new news" people. And on complicated issues like climate change, health care, and the economy skimming for sound bites is a huge disservice all around.
I don't have an answer here, BTW. I'm just sayin'.
In the dead of night, Amazon comes creeping...
Amazon deletes George Orwell's 1984 from their Kindle catalog--and from individual customer's Kindles.
Obviously Amazon screwed up and thought they had rights. But their "fix" made it much worse for them from a PR standpoint.
Obviously Amazon screwed up and thought they had rights. But their "fix" made it much worse for them from a PR standpoint.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Media, left, right, and center, kissing ass
South Carolina's The State has pulled together sympathetic conservative media emails received by Sanford's office while he was out.
I don't think the story is so much about conservative media bias, because that has been self-evident all the time. I do think that the deeper story is how quickly media, of any sort, are willing to bend over in return for access. Glenn Greenwald has been all over that issue for years now, but it comes through very clearly in looking over this piece.
I don't think the story is so much about conservative media bias, because that has been self-evident all the time. I do think that the deeper story is how quickly media, of any sort, are willing to bend over in return for access. Glenn Greenwald has been all over that issue for years now, but it comes through very clearly in looking over this piece.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The mind of Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin decides to flex some policy muscle on cap-and-trade. Conor Clarke slaps her around a bit.
As has also been pointed out, Palin's piece (ostensibly about cap and trade) neglects to use any of the following words: pollution, emissions, carbon, or global warming.
As has also been pointed out, Palin's piece (ostensibly about cap and trade) neglects to use any of the following words: pollution, emissions, carbon, or global warming.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Good economic news?
Jobless claims take a dip.
Good news. Hard to tell, at this point, if this is a sign of recovery or not. But good news is good news.
Good news. Hard to tell, at this point, if this is a sign of recovery or not. But good news is good news.
No black kids in the pool!
A black kid can grow up to be president, but in 2009 black kids can't swim everywhere, it seems.
A report on Philly's FOX News 29.
Apparently they were unaware that the camping group was mostly black before they took their money to swim.
A report on Philly's FOX News 29.
Apparently they were unaware that the camping group was mostly black before they took their money to swim.
Friday, July 03, 2009
The nuclear option
I've been a big fan of making sure that nuclear energy is included in the mix when we talk about energy independence. Many liberals (and even Greens) are coming to agree. Taking tips from the French on reducing nuclear waste can only help matters.
Increase the bounties!
It doesn't work in, say, Afghanistan and Iraq, but perhaps securities fraud can be uncovered just by increasing the rewards for those who bring it to the attention of the SEC.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Judge blocks distribution of Salinger "sequel"
Word is that the author & publisher thought Salinger would come around once he read the book. Idiots.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Balance the California budget!
California is so screwed. Mostly because of the ease with which propositions can done and passed, tying the hands of politicians. But hey, maybe you can balance the budget!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Blackberries and meetings
Mind your Blackberry.
I'm sorry, but anyone who uses their Blackberry in a meeting who isn't looking up something for that meeting is a dick.
I'm sorry, but anyone who uses their Blackberry in a meeting who isn't looking up something for that meeting is a dick.
An end to the UBS tax case?
The United States has, for a few years now, been pushing hard against the Swiss bank UBS to disclose the names of accounts where it appears Americans have been stashing money in order to avoid US taxes.
As expected, the Swiss have been pushing back hard on the efforts, but it looks like a settlement might be around the corner.
Frankly, it sounds like the lawsuit already did much of the work in smoking out many of the account holders anyway, plus a fat fine that UBS already paid. Presumably they'll be writing the US Treasury another big check.
As expected, the Swiss have been pushing back hard on the efforts, but it looks like a settlement might be around the corner.
Frankly, it sounds like the lawsuit already did much of the work in smoking out many of the account holders anyway, plus a fat fine that UBS already paid. Presumably they'll be writing the US Treasury another big check.
The GOP's Southern Asshole Philosophy
Sen Bob Corker blows off meeting with hobbling Sotomayor because she was late.
Wonder what the topic of the next meeting was that it was more important that a SCOTUS nominee? Starting the next meeting early is a nice gesture, too. I'm guessing this stunt ends up in a future political ad for his next opponent.
Wonder what the topic of the next meeting was that it was more important that a SCOTUS nominee? Starting the next meeting early is a nice gesture, too. I'm guessing this stunt ends up in a future political ad for his next opponent.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
More far right wing violence
Anti-immigrant ringleader of Arizona murder so wacked, even the San Diego Minutemen didn't want her
And no, I don't think this woman is anti-illegal immigrantion. I think she's the fully monty anti-immigrant.
And no, I don't think this woman is anti-illegal immigrantion. I think she's the fully monty anti-immigrant.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Why the GOP is losing
South Carolina Republican activist kinda apologizes for calling Michelle Obama's ancestor's gorillas. Then blames her for it.
Oh dear. I don't even know where to start with this one.
Oh dear. I don't even know where to start with this one.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Warp drive setback?
Warp drive theoretical, though it might form a black hole.
That would definitely be a bug, not a feature. though perhaps the ending point need not be at the actual destination, but farther away....
That would definitely be a bug, not a feature. though perhaps the ending point need not be at the actual destination, but farther away....
Friday, June 12, 2009
Photoshop follies...
City of Toronto digitally adds black guy to magazine cover to add diversity.
As Andrew Sullivan points out, The Onion got there first.
As Andrew Sullivan points out, The Onion got there first.
PAYGO returns?
Obama urges a return to binding PAYGO rules.
This is great news, particularly if Congress follows through. There was no bigger act of fiscal responsibility than passing PAYGO in 1990, despite its inclusion in the Omnibus Budget of 1990 which cost Bush Republican support (and eventually, the Presidency in 1992).
This is great news, particularly if Congress follows through. There was no bigger act of fiscal responsibility than passing PAYGO in 1990, despite its inclusion in the Omnibus Budget of 1990 which cost Bush Republican support (and eventually, the Presidency in 1992).
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Railroading a college student for murder in Italy?
The "case" against Amanda Knox
Interesting how perspective can change everything about a case.
Sounds to me like a spacey college student, with little understanding of her circumstances, having everything so does and says twisted around.
Interesting how perspective can change everything about a case.
Sounds to me like a spacey college student, with little understanding of her circumstances, having everything so does and says twisted around.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Settlements
Coming late to the party, but not because I haven't read and thought about it. But this Eric Martin post on the settlement question (vis-a-vis Israeli sanctions against the US (!!)) seems spot on.
Holocause Museum
Worth a mention.
When does three far right wacko shootings make a trend? How about accompanied by the level of hatred that continues to spill out on the far right about Obama?
Shep Smith expresses his concern about the base.
Am I saying the GOP is violent? No--no way. Not for a moment. But I think the GOP in general, and some Republicans in particular, find that irresponsibly fanning the flames of citizen anger against their perceived political opponents to be about the only thing they know how to do anymore.
When does three far right wacko shootings make a trend? How about accompanied by the level of hatred that continues to spill out on the far right about Obama?
Shep Smith expresses his concern about the base.
Am I saying the GOP is violent? No--no way. Not for a moment. But I think the GOP in general, and some Republicans in particular, find that irresponsibly fanning the flames of citizen anger against their perceived political opponents to be about the only thing they know how to do anymore.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Train a comin'?
Sounds like it. Maybe some stimulus money can be used? Or gambling revenues? Seems to me a train to Mount Airy would be in their best interest as well.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Save Salt Publishing
The arts are getting hammered in the recession, all over the globe. A publisher I've long admired, Salt Publishing in the UK, typifies what is going on, and is struggling to keep it going. Some of their fans have worked to help save them, through a Just One Book campaign. Vince Gotera has the lowdown.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Another day in the "He's Not George W. Bush" Show
Not enough to quiet the Skull & Crossbones conspiracy theorists, but I'm really digging this.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Obama's Cairo speech
Many on the right are left, as we've seen time and time again after a very good Obama speech, as sputtering obstructionists.
Some are just making stuff up. Others (like Hewitt) are bemoaning that Obama has abandoned thuggish neo-con foreign policy so publicly. These people confuse the fact of Obama speaking on Muslim issues in a Muslim country with him seemingly agreeing with Islamists--they are looking for the codes, in other words.
His actual speech, however, lays out, to a Muslim audience very solid and non-controversial policies: The case for a two-state solution to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict (while taking a direct shot at Holocaust deniers), telling Muslims that they have a responsibility toward peace (loved this line: "America will align our policies with those who pursue peace"), telling Iran they cannot have nukes, and so on.
The difference Obama brings is the same one that got him elected: The willingness to negotiate through respectful interactions instead of pre-conditions, presidential war authority as a negotiating tactic, and the recognition that diplomacy works, by and large, by getting people to concentrate on the mutual goals rather than on the concessions to get there.
This speech, the latest of a series of speeches of the century by Obama, is one I'm thinking over in light of a fantastic Ambinder column I've been mulling over for the last day or so.
Some are just making stuff up. Others (like Hewitt) are bemoaning that Obama has abandoned thuggish neo-con foreign policy so publicly. These people confuse the fact of Obama speaking on Muslim issues in a Muslim country with him seemingly agreeing with Islamists--they are looking for the codes, in other words.
His actual speech, however, lays out, to a Muslim audience very solid and non-controversial policies: The case for a two-state solution to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict (while taking a direct shot at Holocaust deniers), telling Muslims that they have a responsibility toward peace (loved this line: "America will align our policies with those who pursue peace"), telling Iran they cannot have nukes, and so on.
The difference Obama brings is the same one that got him elected: The willingness to negotiate through respectful interactions instead of pre-conditions, presidential war authority as a negotiating tactic, and the recognition that diplomacy works, by and large, by getting people to concentrate on the mutual goals rather than on the concessions to get there.
This speech, the latest of a series of speeches of the century by Obama, is one I'm thinking over in light of a fantastic Ambinder column I've been mulling over for the last day or so.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Is Sotomayor a "reverse racist?"
Putting aside the linguistic tangling the phrase "reverse racist" brings to mind, the full data set of Sotomayor's rulings on race say "no."
Friday, May 29, 2009
The incredible shrinking economy
5.7% last quarter.
There appear to be some signs of recovery in the medium-term. But 5.7% in one quarter is stunning.
There appear to be some signs of recovery in the medium-term. But 5.7% in one quarter is stunning.
Painless way to save some energy costs?
Painting your roof white.
Won't work for a lot of people who can't paint their roof (!), and renters aren't helped. But I had half my roof replaced last year with much lighter colored shingles and it does seem a bit cooler on that side of the house where before the sun room there would get very, very warm in the summer.
Won't work for a lot of people who can't paint their roof (!), and renters aren't helped. But I had half my roof replaced last year with much lighter colored shingles and it does seem a bit cooler on that side of the house where before the sun room there would get very, very warm in the summer.
Iococca to lose pension and car in Chrysler bankruptcy
Executive plan is unsecured, it seems.
It does kind of suck, even though he's doing fine. One of the few cases of company executives not being first in line, however.
It does kind of suck, even though he's doing fine. One of the few cases of company executives not being first in line, however.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Smacking down the anti-Sotomayor rhetoric
Nate Silver is on the case. The best thing that Democrats are doing is letting the Republicans have a go at it, however.
Given the way many of the base have gone at it, you'd have thought that Obama appointed an outright socialist. Certainly the far-right, who were girding for this fight long before the actual appointment (with their fill-in-the-blanks talking points), are acting like Obama appointed Krugman or something. Most people, so far, realize at least that Obama did not actually nominate a far left wacko. Could he have? Sure, but he didn't.
And God forbid a judge should have empathy! For all the wackiness about empathetic judges, it was Robert Bork, during his nomination hearings, that tried to save himself by acknowledging the necessity for empathy by a judge for the people in the process.
Given the way many of the base have gone at it, you'd have thought that Obama appointed an outright socialist. Certainly the far-right, who were girding for this fight long before the actual appointment (with their fill-in-the-blanks talking points), are acting like Obama appointed Krugman or something. Most people, so far, realize at least that Obama did not actually nominate a far left wacko. Could he have? Sure, but he didn't.
And God forbid a judge should have empathy! For all the wackiness about empathetic judges, it was Robert Bork, during his nomination hearings, that tried to save himself by acknowledging the necessity for empathy by a judge for the people in the process.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Ruth Padel quits, admits to spreading dirt on Derek Walcott
Another day in the life of British academia.
I get the feeling that this was a much bigger (and deadlier) deal in the distant past.
I get the feeling that this was a much bigger (and deadlier) deal in the distant past.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day
As a father, these images still affect me very deeply.
I know it is anecdotal and all. But war always kills innocents. It is worth remembering, even on this memorial day.
I know it is anecdotal and all. But war always kills innocents. It is worth remembering, even on this memorial day.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Overheard in New York
I always laugh out loud (literally) when I read this blog.
This one tickled my "father of a five year old little girl" funny bone.
This one tickled my "father of a five year old little girl" funny bone.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Pelosi! Pelosi! Pelosi!
The woman the Right loves to hate, isn't she? Can't say I like her, but I do like how the Right gets themselves all twisted up trying to show how she's the anti-Christ.
On the "what she knew, when she knew it front" it doesn't appear that her story is straight, which has caused a tizzy among the GOP who sense blood in the water (not realizing, I think, that most of the blood in the water is theirs, and is self-inflicted). As a Democrat I would love to make this torture issue about Pelosi: It means the GOP concedes that torture is bad and is something that should have been confronted years ago.
And the more they go after Pelosi, the more effective the counterpunch will be: What did Bush know? When? And why didn't he do anything?
As it turns out, of all the people involved Pelosi is the only one asking for an independent Truth Commission. Seems hardly the thing a guilty person would call for. And in any case, the CIA records on this very issue isn't altogether trustworthy.
Remember those lost videotapes of torture sessions? Still trust the CIA over Pelosi? For some on the far Right, it is a tough call: Trust a torturing secret government group with a huge (growing) and unaccountable budget, over a San Francisco Democrat. Hmmmm.
On the "what she knew, when she knew it front" it doesn't appear that her story is straight, which has caused a tizzy among the GOP who sense blood in the water (not realizing, I think, that most of the blood in the water is theirs, and is self-inflicted). As a Democrat I would love to make this torture issue about Pelosi: It means the GOP concedes that torture is bad and is something that should have been confronted years ago.
And the more they go after Pelosi, the more effective the counterpunch will be: What did Bush know? When? And why didn't he do anything?
As it turns out, of all the people involved Pelosi is the only one asking for an independent Truth Commission. Seems hardly the thing a guilty person would call for. And in any case, the CIA records on this very issue isn't altogether trustworthy.
Remember those lost videotapes of torture sessions? Still trust the CIA over Pelosi? For some on the far Right, it is a tough call: Trust a torturing secret government group with a huge (growing) and unaccountable budget, over a San Francisco Democrat. Hmmmm.
Showing dinosaurs means you are un-American!
Or something like that. Hard to tell with the mumbling far Right these days.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Michael Steele: A Walking Democratic Ad
Michael Steele at the NRA: "Whenever they can, wherever they can, the Democrats want to take away the rights of law abiding citizens to own and purchase a gun - a right that is guaranteed under the United States Constitution. ..
This is so 2004, Michael "my man."
All the Dems have to do is act, well, human. A tough act at times, I know. But Steele set the bar so low for Democrats he might as well have left it on the floor.
This is so 2004, Michael "my man."
All the Dems have to do is act, well, human. A tough act at times, I know. But Steele set the bar so low for Democrats he might as well have left it on the floor.
Wayman Tisdale passes away of cancer
CBS Sportsline blurb
A very good college player who stuck around in the NBA a long time. But he made a new career for himself as a smooth jazz bassist. A good guy taken far, far too soon.
A very good college player who stuck around in the NBA a long time. But he made a new career for himself as a smooth jazz bassist. A good guy taken far, far too soon.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Misplaced apology
Oprah apologizes for James Frey incident--to James Frey (!!)
"I'm sorry I shamed you" to a guy who was a fraud. Jeez.
"I'm sorry I shamed you" to a guy who was a fraud. Jeez.
Pardon me, but your bias is showing...
Washington Times runs a photo of the Obama kids to accompany a story on murdered Chicago schoolkids
Update: "Wasn't us! It was our photo picking machine!"
Sad. The Washington Times, to get out of a charge of bias, admits it uses no editorial judgement at all in the use of accompanying images.
Update: "Wasn't us! It was our photo picking machine!"
Sad. The Washington Times, to get out of a charge of bias, admits it uses no editorial judgement at all in the use of accompanying images.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Irish student posts fake quote on Wikipedia
Not news, you say? How about the fact that hundreds of blogs and newspapers picked up the quote, most without attribution to Wikipedia, and published it as true?
Kudos to the Guardian, who not only corrected the mistake but owned up to it in the first place.
Kudos to the Guardian, who not only corrected the mistake but owned up to it in the first place.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Crist tosses his hat in
Charlie Crist running for Senate
I hope he gets the nod. Given the sad state of the GOP, the only way I can see to save the party (and allow a range of conservative voices on the national stage) is to hope for the success of the moderate GOP member campaigns.
Nothing breed success like success, as the Democrats found out when a moderate Southern Governor (Clinton) ran, won, and dominated Democratic politics for 10 years.
And no, I'm not of the mind that Charlie Crist is hoping for the evangelical bad speller vote.
I hope he gets the nod. Given the sad state of the GOP, the only way I can see to save the party (and allow a range of conservative voices on the national stage) is to hope for the success of the moderate GOP member campaigns.
Nothing breed success like success, as the Democrats found out when a moderate Southern Governor (Clinton) ran, won, and dominated Democratic politics for 10 years.
And no, I'm not of the mind that Charlie Crist is hoping for the evangelical bad speller vote.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Does the GOP need a little affirmation?
Maybe they need a Therapy Buddy.
I can just see Glen Beck clicking on the "Hear My Voice" link over an over during the course of the day.
I can just see Glen Beck clicking on the "Hear My Voice" link over an over during the course of the day.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Israel and the NPT
I, for one, had no idea that Israel was not a signatory to the Nuclean Non-proliferation Treaty. Well, for two.
Apparently the fact that Israel is a country with nukes is a wink-wink kind of thing--for years! From the Andrew Sullivan reader:
There is a very simple reason why we have to pretend that Israel does not possess nuclear weapons- the Non Proliferation Treaty. Under the treaty and US law, a non-signatory to the treaty (such as Israel) who acquires nuclear weapons is prohibited from receiving any foreign aid or military aid (the last estimates I saw were that Israel receives about a quarter of the US's entire foreign aid budget, and half of our foreign military aid budget). So there you go.
Damn, who knew?
I predict Israel's signing the NPT will be a precondition for negotations very, very soon. After all, if they won't sign, what incentive would other nations in the Middle East have to sign?
Apparently the fact that Israel is a country with nukes is a wink-wink kind of thing--for years! From the Andrew Sullivan reader:
There is a very simple reason why we have to pretend that Israel does not possess nuclear weapons- the Non Proliferation Treaty. Under the treaty and US law, a non-signatory to the treaty (such as Israel) who acquires nuclear weapons is prohibited from receiving any foreign aid or military aid (the last estimates I saw were that Israel receives about a quarter of the US's entire foreign aid budget, and half of our foreign military aid budget). So there you go.
Damn, who knew?
I predict Israel's signing the NPT will be a precondition for negotations very, very soon. After all, if they won't sign, what incentive would other nations in the Middle East have to sign?
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Monday, May 04, 2009
What's wrong with the GOP, part 5000
Anonymous Liberal with a nice piece.
[T]he problem is not the ideas, but the attitude. Republicans are coming across as a bunch of obnoxious, unreasonable a-holes
[T]he problem is not the ideas, but the attitude. Republicans are coming across as a bunch of obnoxious, unreasonable a-holes
Friday, May 01, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
New music notation helping special needs students
In Finland, a teacher develops a new notation system to help musically gifted special needs students.
Anything which unlocks the doors in the minds of these kids is a good thing. And this, in particular, is a great thing.
Anything which unlocks the doors in the minds of these kids is a good thing. And this, in particular, is a great thing.
Local view, swine flu
Mount Pocono is making some money off this, anyway
And down the road a few miles,
Sanofi is ready to get to work on a vaccine when they get the OK from the WHO and the viral strain itself.
Makes my blog title a little ironic, this thing does.
And down the road a few miles,
Sanofi is ready to get to work on a vaccine when they get the OK from the WHO and the viral strain itself.
Makes my blog title a little ironic, this thing does.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Arlen Specter, D-PA
Some responses from the De-Nile:
Jim DeMint: The GOP Lost PA Because of "Forced Unionization" (Rebuttal: Union membership in PA is flat or has dropped the last few years)
Losing is Winning!: Bill Kristol and Jim Inhofe, among others. (Rebuttal: None needed here, really. Let's make it a party of say, 25 dudes, then. Now that's winning!)
Michael Steele: Specter is ungrateful--his mamma would be embarrased. (Rebuttal: I guess the GOP thought Specter was their bitch forever.)
My own belief is that Specter looks out first for Specter, and he saw the writing on the wall. But the GOP made his switch awfully easy. Ths blocked quotes from Specter at this post about his press conference about sums it up. The far right GOP members worked very hard and were very up-front about getting rid of Specter. For them to be whining now about his switch just shows how amateur they all are.
Jim DeMint: The GOP Lost PA Because of "Forced Unionization" (Rebuttal: Union membership in PA is flat or has dropped the last few years)
Losing is Winning!: Bill Kristol and Jim Inhofe, among others. (Rebuttal: None needed here, really. Let's make it a party of say, 25 dudes, then. Now that's winning!)
Michael Steele: Specter is ungrateful--his mamma would be embarrased. (Rebuttal: I guess the GOP thought Specter was their bitch forever.)
My own belief is that Specter looks out first for Specter, and he saw the writing on the wall. But the GOP made his switch awfully easy. Ths blocked quotes from Specter at this post about his press conference about sums it up. The far right GOP members worked very hard and were very up-front about getting rid of Specter. For them to be whining now about his switch just shows how amateur they all are.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
How it should work when questioning people
First, no blood splatter, yes? That photo Andrew Sullivan uses all the time is just crazy gross.
How it should work.
How it should work.
Alec Baldwin writes!
Daniel Adel review:
“I never wanted to write this book,” he tells us at the outset, in a hangdog advisory that we shouldn’t expect too much. It was also a book I never wanted to read, but here we are, Alec and I, making the best of a bad situation.
HT: The Millions
“I never wanted to write this book,” he tells us at the outset, in a hangdog advisory that we shouldn’t expect too much. It was also a book I never wanted to read, but here we are, Alec and I, making the best of a bad situation.
HT: The Millions
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Barcelona!
Spent half my honeymoon there (one week). Beautiful town--one of the prettiest cities in the world. Nice piece in the NYT on it.
Time, dammit
Running for Mayor has sucked up nearly all my blogging time, sorry. Will work harder at it!
Friday, April 17, 2009
The story, from El Paso
The border city weighs in on the drug war, "border warriors," and media breathlessness.
I've always thought that we need to be listening to those who actually live on the border when developing border strategies. You know, kinda like listening the the Iraqis when developing Iraqi strategy, the economy when developing economic strategy, or science when developing climate strategy.
Silly me.
One would have thought giving local viewpoints a bigger voice in this issue would be right up the GOP alley, particularly coupled with obvious-to-point-out media overreach. Heh. Philosophical consistency isn't a GOP strongpoint, it seems.
I've always thought that we need to be listening to those who actually live on the border when developing border strategies. You know, kinda like listening the the Iraqis when developing Iraqi strategy, the economy when developing economic strategy, or science when developing climate strategy.
Silly me.
One would have thought giving local viewpoints a bigger voice in this issue would be right up the GOP alley, particularly coupled with obvious-to-point-out media overreach. Heh. Philosophical consistency isn't a GOP strongpoint, it seems.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Mall operator files for bankruptcy
Operates over 200 malls in the US.
This is all needed, but I'm hopeful we'll come out of all this with a change in how we view success in the economic sphere. No longer should success be defined by continuous and overexcited growth, but rather by steady returns and profits.
This is all needed, but I'm hopeful we'll come out of all this with a change in how we view success in the economic sphere. No longer should success be defined by continuous and overexcited growth, but rather by steady returns and profits.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Some counterintuitive information on trade deficits from PPI
Trade deficits are down (way down)--that's a good thing, right? Maybe not.
"Higher imports (and usually, therefore, higher trade deficits) have usually been indicators of falling unemployment, while lower imports and trade deficits [as in 1982, 1991 and 2001] go hand-in-hand with rising unemployment."
"Higher imports (and usually, therefore, higher trade deficits) have usually been indicators of falling unemployment, while lower imports and trade deficits [as in 1982, 1991 and 2001] go hand-in-hand with rising unemployment."
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Obama derangement syndrome
At least Democrats were behind Bush before they turned on him. The Republicans seem to have no trouble turning on a dime when a Democrat gets elected:
Jonah Goldberg taking some heat for mentioning Obama but not accompanying it by making a devil-warding sign and spitting.
Meanwhile, conservative media has already shot its wad over doomsday predictions.
Jonah Goldberg taking some heat for mentioning Obama but not accompanying it by making a devil-warding sign and spitting.
Meanwhile, conservative media has already shot its wad over doomsday predictions.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Future Glenn Beck quote: "I had no idea they'd take me seriously"
Glenn Beck has found his niche: Professional GOP Alarmist.
That whole "journalist" thing was a drag. Too much reading.
That whole "journalist" thing was a drag. Too much reading.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Monday, April 06, 2009
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