tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147516832011-07-14T01:10:42.523-04:00Wherein is described all manner of Politick, Physick, and Morology. It is an Undertaking Otiose; it is Palaver, Mummery, Flapdoodle, Taradiddle, Hokum, Hocus-pocus, and Horseshit.manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.comBlogger1151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-4768134042595286852007-06-19T12:07:00.000-04:002007-06-19T12:45:35.059-04:00

The Redistricting Game is designed to educate, engage, and empower citizens around the issue of political redistricting. Currently, the political system in most states allows the state legislators themselves to draw the lines. This system is subject to a wide range of abuses and manipulations that encourage incumbents to draw districts which protect their seats rather than risk an open

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059934556707359473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1149705280603317542006-06-07T14:33:00.000-04:002006-06-07T14:34:40.616-04:00

While the most powerful man in the world is focusing his attention and that of Congress on preventing equal citizens from getting married...Most of New Orleans' black population remains homeless. Iraq and Afghanistan descend further into anarchy. Oil prices soar on fears Iran will acquire nuclear weapons. Thousands of 9/11 emergency workers are dying from the effects of toxicity. US medical

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1146151323016581082006-04-27T11:17:00.000-04:002006-04-27T11:22:03.043-04:00

Judge Embeds a Puzzle in 'Da Vinci Code' RulingBy SARAH LYALLPublished: April 27, 2006LONDON, April 26 — Justice Peter Smith's 71-page ruling in the recent "Da Vinci Code" copyright case here is notable for many things: the judge's occasional forays into literary criticism, his snippy remarks about witnesses on both sides, and his fluent knowledge not only of copyright law but also of more

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1145483853726187772006-04-19T17:56:00.000-04:002006-04-19T17:57:33.746-04:00

RNC Ad Mischaracterizes Democratic Stance On ImmigrationSpanish-language ad says Democrats voted to "treat millions of hardworking immigrants as felons."April 19, 2006SummaryThe RNC mischaracterizes the Democratic stance on immigration legislation in a radio ad running in Arizona and Nevada and aimed at Hispanics. The Spanish-language ad says (as translated) that Democrats "voted to treat

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1145302187838899642006-04-17T15:26:00.000-04:002006-04-17T15:53:01.456-04:00

From www.pulitzer.org:"For a distinguished cartoon or portfolio of cartoons published during the year, characterized by originality, editorial effectiveness, quality of drawing and pictorial effect, in print or in print and online, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).Awarded to Mike Luckovich of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, for his powerful cartoons on an array of issues, drawn with a simple but

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1144450597761377922006-04-07T18:56:00.000-04:002006-04-07T18:56:37.810-04:00

Today's NY Times reported that the Department of Energy has abolishedits Science Advisory Board. The Secretary "judged the board to beunnecessary after President Bush set the department agenda in his Stateof the Union address."

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1144427460068291572006-04-07T12:22:00.000-04:002006-04-07T12:31:00.140-04:00

I agree with Molly Ivins on many of the points she raises in her recent editorial, but I still think if we (or they) could do something to improve the economy in Mexico, the problem would diminish to a point where it would become easily tolerable. Further, as I understand it, the issue here isn’t really immigration at all. The real issue is national security and to try to solve one problem by

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1141837050299312022006-03-08T11:53:00.000-05:002006-03-08T11:57:30.316-05:00

Many Couples Must Negotiate Terms of 'Brokeback' Marriages By KATY BUTLERPublished: March 7, 2006, www.nytimes.com"On June 1, 2000, [Amy Jo] Remmele, then 31, discovered her husband's profile on the Web site gay.com. The couple stayed up all that night weeping and talking. Soon afterward, 10 days before she gave birth to her second child, Mrs. Remmele's husband went off to spend a couple of

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1141745721114739252006-03-07T10:30:00.000-05:002006-03-07T10:38:24.216-05:00

Access to certain websites is censored by the military who wish to control what soldiers see and hear about the War.Allowed:Bill O'ReillyRush LimbaughABC News "The Note"G. Gordon LiddyDisallowed:Air AmericaAl Franken ShowDon & Mike ShowReason for filtering: "Forbidden, this page is categorized as: Internet Radio/TV, Politics/Opinion."

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1141745223492939542006-03-07T10:21:00.001-05:002006-03-07T10:30:03.223-05:00

Caption reads: (U.S. Representative) Marilyn Musgrave introduces Marine Sergeant Brandon Forsyth on Friday during the Larimer County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner.This a violation of both military and Federal law, and while it might seem a small thing in context, it represents a very dangerous practice that positions the military as an organ of one political party over another.Next year, how many

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1141235502124564202006-03-01T12:49:00.000-05:002006-03-01T12:51:42.140-05:00

"Two federal judges in Florida have upheld the authority of individual courts to use the Patriot Act to order searches anywhere in the country for e-mails and computer data in all types of criminal investigations, overruling a magistrate who found that Congress limited such expanded jurisdiction to cases involving terrorism."Sigh. Rights? Who needs'em? We have our Government to protect us!

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1139616655662527142006-02-10T19:09:00.000-05:002006-02-10T19:10:55.673-05:00

excerpt from the article:"Evangelical Christians seem sincere in their desire to help build healthy, lasting marriages. Well, if that's their goal, encouraging gay men to enter into straight marriages is a peculiar strategy. Every straight marriage that includes a gay husband is one Web-browser-history check away from an ugly divorce."

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1139332001070502722006-02-07T10:35:00.000-05:002006-02-07T12:20:59.683-05:00

This morning's New York Post has the following:"President Bush decided against allowing the National Security Agency to intercept purely domestic phone calls and e-mail messages after the Sept. 11 attacks in part because officials realized such a decision would provoke intense opposition if made public, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales testified Monday."What's missing in this admission? How

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1139233781544802242006-02-06T08:44:00.000-05:002006-02-07T12:15:58.916-05:00

The "official word" from Google, via its senior policy counsel, Andrew McLaughlin: "We are not happy about governmental restrictions on access to information, and we hope that over time everyone in the world will come to enjoy full access to information ... We believe that our continued engagement with China is the best (and perhaps only) way for Google to help bring the tremendous benefits of

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1138855220178988182006-02-01T23:36:00.000-05:002006-02-01T23:42:18.786-05:00

Dunno how many listened to the State of the Union. I didn't, but I've been hearing news about it on NPR and online, even on Slashdot about Bush's proposed ban on human-animal hybrids! I cried, I feel that my hope of one day having a tail has been destroyed.Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to prohibit the most egregious abuses of medical research, human cloning in all its forms, creating or

Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03059934556707359473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1138642874803128682006-01-30T11:50:00.000-05:002006-02-07T12:08:55.503-05:00

If Senator Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) has his way, all heretofore un-thought-of uses of digital media would be made illegal, before they even come into existence. A draft of new legislation Senator Smith is promoting on Capital Hill includes the following phrase to describe what features tomorrow's innovators can offer their users. New technologies must only allow features which mimic :"customary

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1138310148647418122006-01-26T15:48:00.000-05:002006-01-26T17:32:31.170-05:00

This Tuesday, the Senate Commerce Committee held hearings on government regulation of digital media, specifically in terms of the reintroduced "broadcast flag" and the newly envisioned "audio flag", both efforts to protect and control the use of intellectual property.These technologies embed a digital signal within any work that is used to encrypt its transmission from the moment your video or

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1138300003848932572006-01-26T13:10:00.000-05:002006-01-26T13:26:43.866-05:00

It appears Google's original mantra "Don't be evil" doesn't extend to censorship.It was announced today Google will accede to China's demands and restrict search results to only those approved by the Chinese government.I can imagine two, separate but equally believable, scenarios: Google...is just following their nose for cash, correctly assuming that, by not bowing to China's wishes, they risk

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1138298994336368392006-01-26T10:51:00.000-05:002006-01-26T13:09:54.406-05:00

Democracy in the Middle East? Yes, but only as long as we like the result.Hammas' stated goal is the complete obliteration of the State of Israel and based on the recent election, this is what the people of Palestine want. The populace has voted and the result isn't at all what we expected.I predict small anomolies will be discovered in the Palestinian electoral process and our court appointed

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1136999142487041052006-01-11T12:04:00.000-05:002006-01-11T12:05:42.506-05:00

On her radio show recently, Laura Schlessinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination, according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstance.The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura which was posted on the internet:Dear Dr. Laura:Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1136575270100148272006-01-06T14:01:00.000-05:002006-01-06T14:21:10.120-05:00

As we all know, the Whitehouse is trying to make its recent wiretapping woes go away amid a flurry of 9/11, national security, "I'm jus' doin' mah best to protect the citizens of these U-nited States!" handwaving. What I am not sure we appreciate is how this is perhaps the single greatest conspiracy we have ever seen to defraud the citizens of the United States of our Fourth Amendment rights.To

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1136523961522220522006-01-06T00:04:00.000-05:002006-01-06T00:06:01.543-05:00

A liberal group's ad says Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito didn't keep his word when he took part in cases he had promised to avoid while a conservative ad quotes a "respected" journalist calling Alito "widely admired" and "fair-minded."Both ads are accurate as far as they go, but there's more to it than either of these 30-second spots can tell. Factcheck.org supplies the details.[see

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1136404290827895622006-01-04T14:49:00.000-05:002006-01-04T14:54:26.993-05:00

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - Police in a Vancouver suburb reminded residents on Tuesday it was not a good idea to play with a loaded gun while using the bathroom, after a man accidentally shot himself.A 21-year-old North Vancouver man was facing numerous weapons charges after he shot off one of his fingers while apparently playing with a gun on New Year's Day, according to the Royal

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1136322012248510372006-01-03T15:49:00.000-05:002006-01-03T16:01:12.916-05:00

I've been thinking lately about the death penalty, and its application in such cases as Stanley "Tooky" Williams. And while I realize there are crimes which demand only the most severe punishment, it has occured to me that my feelings regarding this issue were formed in my early adolescence, at least as far back as my first reading of Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings:"Many that live deserve death.

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1136320562311737302006-01-03T15:34:00.000-05:002006-01-03T15:37:43.453-05:00

According to recent press reports, Pentagon officials have been spying on what they call "suspicious" meetings by civilian groups, including student groups opposed to the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual military personnel. The story, first reported by Lisa Myers and NBC News last week, noted that Pentagon investigators had records pertaining to April protests

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1136252264525012102006-01-02T20:37:00.000-05:002006-01-02T20:37:44.566-05:00

The Cute Factor - New York Times: "'Cute cuts through all layers of meaning and says, Let's not worry about complexities, just love me,' said Dr. Dutton, who is writing a book about Darwinian aesthetics."

Doug Beefermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07551600886679716851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1136000107389344382005-12-30T22:35:00.000-05:002005-12-30T22:35:07.426-05:00

So, Guy Walks Up to the Bar, and Scalia Says... - New York Times: "'Recently I lost my luggage,' Justice Kennedy said. 'I had to go to the lost and found at the airline, and the lady said has my plane landed yet.''[Laughter.]'"

Doug Beefermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07551600886679716851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1135133743454114222005-12-20T21:54:00.000-05:002005-12-20T21:55:43.470-05:00

(Originally posted on American Lobotomy earlier this evening.)I just experienced a weird act of courage a few minutes ago. On my part, strangelyenough.I was walking from my office to the Prudential Center (maybe 4 blocks down BoylstonSt.), to pick up a few things from the See's Candy kiosk. :-)As I passed by the Boston Public Library, I noticed a man lying on the sidewalk.I slowed down to check

grobeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16822032198253730673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1133929118629523242005-12-06T23:17:00.000-05:002005-12-06T23:18:38.643-05:00

maybe we aren't so good...Radio ads being run by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee refer to three Ohio Republicans as "rubberstamp Republicans" for initiatives supported by the President. In fact, their voting records are about average for Republican House members.The ads also say all three members cast "the" deciding vote for a budget bill. Actually, 217 House members voted for it,

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1132200514006844282005-11-16T23:06:00.000-05:002005-11-16T23:08:34.026-05:00

While in Asia, W remarked:I've consistentlySaid, as the Iraqis standUp, we will stand down.[Thanks to The Daily Show (November 16th, 2005) for pointing out the poetic side of our great leader.]

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1131746903161880802005-11-11T16:50:00.000-05:002005-11-11T17:08:23.173-05:00

Ok, so Sony BMG sells music it would rather not have stolen by "pirates", so they contract with a company to develop a DRM system to protect their content. However, rather than using the "standard" mechanisms (which are admittedly ineffective), Sony decides to use a new and untested technology called "Extended Copy Protection (XCP)" from a UK-based company called First 4 Internet.But XCP isn't

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1131399362249688922005-11-07T16:31:00.000-05:002005-11-07T16:36:31.093-05:00

Armed only with a $289 online DNA analysis, genealogical databases and Google, a 15-year-old boy--whose mother was artificially inseminated--locates his biological father.Brave New World, indeed.

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1131391426933039092005-11-07T14:12:00.000-05:002005-11-07T16:48:52.823-05:00

J. Craig Venter believes the future solution to our energy needs will be bioengineered organisms designed to produce hydrogen, non-polluting heating oil, or to break down greenhouse gasses.I love this. To imagine our miniscule, Kindergarten grasp of genetic bioengineering can be the solution to this problem strikes me as a truly breathtaking example of Man's neverending hubris. Today's Free

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1131379747725997762005-11-07T11:00:00.000-05:002005-11-07T11:11:06.106-05:00

The Wall Street Journal is running a story that begins this way: "Recent, surprising reports that generic Tamiflu can be made quickly and easily may have important implications for the global supply of the drug, which is seen as a hedge against a bird-flu pandemic. The reports also raise questions about why Roche Holding AG, Tamiflu's maker, said it would take years for its rivals to copy the

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1130775117961275002005-10-31T11:11:00.000-05:002005-10-31T11:11:57.986-05:00

Your government working on your behalf, at your direction, with your best interests at heart:Mr. Cheney is trying to persuade members of a House-Senate conference committee to adopt language that would not just nullify the McCain amendment but would formally adopt cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment as a legal instrument of U.S. policy.Lovely...*sigh*

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1130528098368594222005-10-28T15:28:00.000-04:002005-10-28T15:34:58.383-04:00

Count 1 (up to 10 years) Whoever corruptly, or by threats or force, or by any threatening letter or communication, endeavors to influence, intimidate, or impede any grand or petit juror, or officer in or of any court of the United States, or officer who may be serving at any examination or other proceeding before any United States magistrate judge or other committing magistrate, in the discharge

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1130264487906435642005-10-25T14:21:00.000-04:002005-10-25T14:21:27.926-04:00

Shingo - Google Video

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1129649349035775492005-10-18T11:23:00.000-04:002005-10-18T11:29:09.043-04:00

Washington Post article reveals FEMA emails showing an agency in disarray, one that has been "emaciated" by lack of funding, and a director unsure of exactly who is responsible for disaster response.The documents offer a glimpse of the disarray in preparations for and the response to Katrina, for which FEMA has been widely criticized. A misunderstanding of national disaster plan roles,

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1129403555970878452005-10-15T15:10:00.000-04:002005-10-15T15:12:35.980-04:00

Via Kevin Drum, from the L.A. Times:...If you're looking for a gift that bespeaks elegance and taste, you might try Spam. The luncheon meat might be the subject of satire back home in the U.S., but in South Korea, it is positively classy.

Erniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05312959085522625731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1128786661986701082005-10-08T10:41:00.000-04:002005-10-08T11:51:02.583-04:00

Via Josh Marshall, video of House Democrats very vocally protesting the extension of the extorting voting period for the G.A.S. Act. It's a tiny bit inspiring.

Erniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05312959085522625731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1128647485716738562005-10-06T21:08:00.000-04:002005-10-06T21:12:08.696-04:00

RNC's False EmailMehlman claims,"Before Ms. Miers was even announced many Democrat groups said they would oppose her." Actually, none did.SummaryRepublican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman sent out a mass "Dear Republican" email urging support for Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court, saying: "Before Ms. Miers was even announced many Democrat groups said they would oppose her."That's false.

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1128453760704263282005-10-04T15:22:00.000-04:002005-10-04T15:24:47.576-04:00

VATICAN CITY -- A senior cardinal reaffirmed yesterday the celibacy rule for priests and played down the shortage that has left many churches without clergymen to celebrate Mass, saying at the start of a meeting of the world's bishops that access to the Eucharist was a gift, not a right for Catholics.*chuckle* Don't you love it when an institution entirely dependent upon its members indicates

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1127928804619526252005-09-28T13:28:00.000-04:002005-09-28T13:37:47.446-04:00

This is a good piece on why the Catholic Church should not ban gay priests (as if it isn't obvious to begin with.) I especially liked this anecdote:Such a willful ignorance [of the abundance of gay priests] must exist. When I was in the seminary in the mid-1980s, a local bishop came to visit. The bishop dressed for mass in the rectory next door. We seminarians were a bit late in arriving and

Erniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05312959085522625731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1127417997770844362005-09-22T15:39:00.000-04:002005-09-22T15:41:26.850-04:00

From NBC Nightly News' Brian Williams' blog:"I am duty-bound to report the talk of the New Orleans warehouse district last night: there was rejoicing (well, there would have been without the curfew, but the few people I saw on the streets were excited) when the power came back on for blocks on end. Kevin Tibbles was positively jubilant on the live update edition of Nightly News that we fed to the

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126822074979370742005-09-15T18:02:00.000-04:002005-09-15T18:11:11.290-04:00

Sep 15, 2005Senator Edward KennedyUnited States Senate317 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510-0001Senator John KerryUnited States Senate304 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510-0001Representative Barney FrankUnited States House of Representatives2252 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515-0001Dear Senator Kennedy, Senator Kerry, and Representative Frank,As

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126797474639505482005-09-15T11:08:00.000-04:002005-09-15T11:17:54.646-04:00

Recently, several large ISPs and universities have implemented restrictions on what their users can or cannot do online.After all we have seen and experienced, have we learned nothing? Tell any reasonably sophisticated hacker they cannot do something and they will find more ways to get around your restriction then you can (not) imagine.Oh, you allow text messaging traffic on your network, but

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126669467947906712005-09-13T23:41:00.000-04:002005-09-13T23:48:00.536-04:00

Kurt Vonnegut was on The Daily Show tonight. Here are three of his quotes:"I do feel that evolution is being controlled by some sort of divine engineer, I can't help but thinking that...and this engineer knows just what he or she is doing and where evolution is headed...and that's why we've got giraffes, hippopotami, and the clap." "I think our planet's immune system is trying to get rid of us,

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126552331026999592005-09-12T15:06:00.000-04:002005-09-12T15:12:11.033-04:00

Aug 27:Bush on vacation in TX.Cheney on vacation in WY.Aug 28:Bush on vacation in TX.Cheney on vacation in WY.Aug 29:Bush to AZ to give speech. Back to TX.Cheney on vacation in WY.Aug 30:Bush to CA to give speech. Back to TX.Cheney on vacation in WY.Aug 31:Rice in NYC at "Spamalot" musical.Bush to DC.Cheney on vacation in WY.Sep 1:Rice in NYC, plays tennis, shops for shoes in Manhattan.Cheney

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126282216166447742005-09-09T12:06:00.000-04:002005-09-09T12:10:16.170-04:00

Reporter: Scott, does the president retain confidence in his FEMA director and secretary of Homeland Security?McClellan: And again, David, see, this is where some people want to look at the blame game issue, and finger-point. We're focused on solving problems, and we're doing everything we can --Reporter: What about the question?McClellan: We're doing everything we can in support --Reporter: We

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126279268314046482005-09-09T11:17:00.000-04:002005-09-09T11:21:08.323-04:00

The U.S. Postal Service has created a stamp with a picture of George W. Bush to honor his first-term achievements. In daily use, it has been shown that the stamp is failing to stick to envelopes.This has enraged the President, who demanded a full investigation. After a month of testing, a special presidential commission has made the following findings:The stamp is printed correctly and the paper

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126192312421337182005-09-08T10:52:00.000-04:002005-09-08T11:12:06.726-04:00

Do you detect a common thread here? Do we really want to live in a country where the media are controlled by the state? Where they are told what to report and what not to report? This is a natural disaster of epic proportions, and it's every newsperson's duty to report the full extent of the destruction. But instead of establishing guidelines over the publishing of personally identifying

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126144644351281132005-09-07T21:54:00.000-04:002005-09-07T21:57:24.356-04:00

I love how she draws the administration...www.anntelnaes.com

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126134482332194442005-09-07T18:17:00.000-04:002005-11-07T16:59:51.286-05:00

As the brave rescuers continue to wade through the ruins of New Orleans, fishing out bodies amid the toxic effluvia of governmental indifference...As we begin to think about reconstruction, about how to rebuild a once beautiful, vibrant, and idiosyncratic city, let us all consider what we want New Orleans to be and what I fear it will become...First, we (the taxpayers) will be tapped for the

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126119352376057032005-09-07T14:53:00.000-04:002005-09-07T14:55:52.380-04:00

Bob Schieffer signing off "Face The Nation":"Finally, a personal thought. We have come through what may have been one of the worst weeks in America's history, a week in which government at every level failed the people it was created to serve. There is no purpose for government except to improve the lives of its citizens. Yet as scenes of horror that seemed to be coming from some Third World

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126105907336558372005-09-07T11:11:00.000-04:002005-09-07T11:11:47.343-04:00

Regarding England's lack of preparation for World War II, Winston Churchill told the British Parliment "The responsibility of [government] for the public safety is absolute and requires no mandate. It is in fact, the prime object for which governments come into existence." MSNBC's Keith Olbermann gives the best editorial summation I have yet heard. Follow the link, read the transcript or watch

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126048288290186672005-09-06T19:11:00.000-04:002005-09-09T11:39:18.936-04:00

This is our government. This is nimble government, so small you can hold it in the palm of your hand, so small you can drown it in a bathtub. This is government that levels the playing field and provides the same opportunities to all. This is strong government, this is effective government.This is government that doesn't plan or coordinate. This is not a government run by one man; it's a

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126046285881422782005-09-06T18:38:00.000-04:002005-09-06T18:38:05.886-04:00

Senator Rick Santorum, (R) Pennsylvania, interviewed on television regarding the survivors of Hurricane Katrina:"I mean, you have people who don't heed those warnings and then put people at risk as a result of not heeding those warnings. There may be a need to look at tougher penalties on those who decide to ride it out and understand that there are consequences to not leaving."

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126042087186735142005-09-06T17:28:00.000-04:002005-09-06T17:28:07.190-04:00

Don't bother registering for disaster relief with FEMA if you use a Macintosh...In order to use this site, you must have JavaScript Enabled and Internet Explorer version 6. Download it from Microsoft or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to register.Safari, IE for MAC, and Firefox for both PC and MAC do not work.

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1126024437158862052005-09-06T12:33:00.000-04:002005-09-06T12:33:57.190-04:00

As usual, Molly Ivins tells it like it is. The whole article is worth reading, but the important bits include:One of the main reasons New Orleans is so vulnerable to hurricanes is the gradual disappearance of the wetlands on the Gulf Coast that once stood as a natural buffer between the city and storms coming in from the water. The disappearance of those wetlands does not have the name of a

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1125937386047169532005-09-05T12:23:00.000-04:002005-09-05T12:23:06.046-04:00

Rich Gay, Poor Gay - New York Times: "Friendly, flamboyant, overwhelmingly gay: Provincetown is still all these things and first impressions are not wrong. But stay for a bit and you'll find a less happy picture. A real estate boom has spread unease, pitting wealthy newcomers and developers against the townies, artists and free spirits who give the enclave its bohemian character and who now fear

Doug Beefermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07551600886679716851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1125897902142072562005-09-05T01:21:00.000-04:002005-09-05T01:25:02.143-04:00

FEMA is directing Katrina donations to none other than the Rev. Pat Robertson …Millions of Americans and people around the world have rushed to donate money to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, which is shaping up to be one of the worst U.S. disasters in history, if not the worst.FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is the lead federal agency in the rescue & recovery operation at work

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1125863406010655272005-09-04T15:45:00.000-04:002005-09-04T15:50:06.010-04:00

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La) issued a press release calling again for a cabinet level official to oversee the relief efforts in Louisiana. In commenting about Bush's tour of the devastation, Sen. Landrieu writes:"But perhaps the greatest disappointment stands at the breached 17th Street levee. Touring this critical site yesterday with the President, I saw what I believed to be a

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1125862465768150452005-09-04T15:32:00.000-04:002005-09-04T15:38:12.053-04:00

Biloxi Sun-Herald, Wednesday Aug 31st:....reporters listening to horrific stories of death and survival at the Biloxi Junior High School shelter looked north across Irish Hill Road and saw Air Force personnel playing basketball and performing calisthenics. .... When asked why these young men were not being used to help in the recovery effort, our reporters were told that it would be pointless to

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1125773733745432072005-09-03T14:55:00.000-04:002005-09-04T20:17:04.816-04:00

In this CNN clip, a tearful woman tells Bush her home has been destroyed and her son needs clothes, and the leader of the richest, most powerful nation on Earth tells her,"There's a Salvation Army Center that I want you to...we'll tell you where it is. They'll help you."What bugs me about this isn't Bush's ham-handed attempt to placate her...what really burns me up is how he sees this as a

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1125722751239170312005-09-03T00:45:00.000-04:002005-09-04T20:17:54.663-04:00

United States of Shame - New York Times: "Michael Brown, the blithering idiot in charge of FEMA - a job he trained for by running something called the International Arabian Horse Association - admitted he didn't know until Thursday that there were 15,000 desperate, dehydrated, hungry, angry, dying victims of Katrina in the New Orleans Convention Center."

Doug Beefermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07551600886679716851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1125638781734469112005-09-02T01:26:00.000-04:002005-09-02T01:26:21.763-04:00

A Can't-Do Government - New York Times: "At a fundamental level, I'd argue, our current leaders just aren't serious about some of the essential functions of government. They like waging war, but they don't like providing security, rescuing those in need or spending on preventive measures. And they never, ever ask for shared sacrifice."

Doug Beefermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07551600886679716851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1125596240963003102005-09-01T13:37:00.000-04:002005-09-01T14:16:32.306-04:00

64%!! SIXTY-FOUR FREAKING PERCENT of those polled believe creationism should be taught in schools. Now, to be fair, these are not the slavering Xtians who believe creationism is the one and only really true god-sanctioned truth. The majority believe creationism should be taught along with evolution. The problem with this is neither side would allow both views to be taught together, since

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1125537811677074192005-08-31T21:20:00.000-04:002005-08-31T21:24:07.290-04:00

Give me one good reason why every last national guard from Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi shouldn't be immediately returned home from Iraq. They've been training for a very long time to deal with exactly the kind of disaster we're facing now.

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1125444651940946262005-08-30T19:26:00.000-04:002005-08-30T19:30:51.946-04:00

I couldn't make this stuff up, even if I tried really hard. I'm so glad our tax dollars are going to such noble efforts. It makes me feel ever so warm and fuzzy when I recite my prayers at night.When FBI supervisors in Miami met with new interim U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta last month, they wondered what the top enforcement priority for Acosta and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales would be.Would

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1125415828339266072005-08-30T11:30:00.000-04:002005-08-30T11:31:05.400-04:00

In Malmö, Sweden, you can go to a library and check out a person for 45min to talk to about their lives, experiences, and ideas. In addition to a Muslim, a Lesbian and a Dane (!), there are several other "titles" available.Quoting the article: The people available to be "borrowed" also include a journalist, a gypsy, a blind man, and an animal rights activist. They will be available Saturday

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1125352342842354072005-08-29T17:52:00.000-04:002005-08-29T17:56:31.476-04:00

Marion "Pat" Robertson is certifiable. No question about it whatsoever.

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1125249356892169732005-08-28T13:15:00.000-04:002005-08-28T13:18:16.306-04:00

MPA: New Delhi warrant adds tool to piracy battleIn an unprecedented move, the Motion Picture Association (MPA) on Thursday (July 28th) announced that it has obtained a general "search and seize warrant" to cover the entire city of New Delhi, India. "The order permits police to search any premises suspected of containing pirated products, and permits officers to open locked premises without

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1125248804321643952005-08-28T13:06:00.000-04:002005-08-28T13:06:44.353-04:00

Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 112(b) "Whoever willfully -- (1) … threatens … a foreign official …, [or] (2) attempts to… threaten … a foreign official … shall be fined under this titled or imprisoned not more than six months, or both." Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 875(c): "Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1124980271395905082005-08-25T10:31:00.000-04:002005-08-25T10:32:28.176-04:00

I've been thinking about this a lot recently and what's amazing to me about the Intelligent Design crowd is: they really haven't any problem with evolution, per se. I reach this conclusion because, when presented with ongoing and irrefutable examples of speciation--like polyploidy in plants, Darwin's finches, or the Liverpudlian moths that changed from light to dark within a century when the

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1124810755816832052005-08-23T11:25:00.000-04:002005-08-23T11:25:55.820-04:00

It's rare I take the time to read SPAM these days, but recently someone has been using raisch.com as the "Return-path" for their refinancing scams, so I get a number of bounces every day. To confuse filters designed to quell the SPAM problem, these messages usually contain a collection of randomly generated phrases, typically within an unreadable portion of the message. And when tracking

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1124810028136683122005-08-23T11:13:00.000-04:002005-08-23T16:59:24.786-04:00

Subtitled: Pat Robertson Issues FatwahDon't you love it when we hear of someone who strives so mightily to be a pure example of the best teachings of Jebus? Sheesh.CNN.com - Robertson: U.S. should 'take out' Venezuela's Chavez - Aug 23, 2005CNN.com - Robertson: U.S. should 'take out' Venezuela's Chavez - Aug 23, 2005

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1124808494662756322005-08-23T10:48:00.000-04:002005-08-23T10:48:14.663-04:00

Ignoring the site's hyperbole for a moment, the final illusion is indeed astonishing. And to tie this into our political discussions, the meaning of most things is all about the "surrounding frame". ;) eChalk colour perception: This is the most amazing optical effect in the world

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1124579864552776422005-08-20T19:14:00.000-04:002005-08-20T19:17:44.553-04:00

A very trenchant and funny send-up of Intelligent Design from the Onion.

Erniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05312959085522625731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1124579319223600992005-08-20T19:03:00.000-04:002005-08-20T19:08:39.226-04:00

A cyncial ploy to please the conservative base or a cynical ploy to please the conservative base? From MSNBC:Echoing similar comments from President Bush, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said "intelligent design" should be taught in public schools alongside evolution.

Erniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05312959085522625731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1124378471679647372005-08-18T11:17:00.000-04:002005-08-18T11:21:11.686-04:00

No, reports the NYTimes citing a Princton study analyzing what affect, if any, FoxNews had on the 2000 and 2004 elections. It would appear Rupert's brand of news simply incites, but does not educate, people. See full story here.

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1124136230281223052005-08-15T16:02:00.000-04:002005-08-15T16:05:23.796-04:00

As a young government attorney, John Roberts advised the White House to support congressional efforts to allow school prayer, arguing that a Supreme Court ruling striking down the practice "seems indefensible".

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1123428998276059392005-08-07T11:34:00.000-04:002005-08-07T11:36:38.280-04:00

How the mighty fall and keep falling, this time with a BB gun attack.

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1123254500838541782005-08-05T11:01:00.000-04:002005-08-05T19:21:42.226-04:00

First paragraph of story:"Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts Jr. worked behind the scenes for gay rights activists, and his legal expertise helped them persuade the Supreme Court to issue a landmark 1996 ruling protecting people from discrimination because of their sexual orientation."full text here

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1123214112265245582005-08-04T23:50:00.000-04:002005-08-04T23:55:12.266-04:00

Ryan Lizza reveals the most frequent "sources close to the White House."

Erniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05312959085522625731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1123211608119599632005-08-04T22:22:00.000-04:002005-08-04T23:42:00.256-04:00

Kevin Drum has a good post summarizing the chain of events in the GSAVE vs. GWOT rhetorical smackdown.Short story shorter: There were noises coming from the administration a couple of months ago indicating a possible change in strategy towards international terrorism. Then, silence for two months. Then, last week a New York Times article suggested that the administration would no longer be using

Erniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05312959085522625731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1123207342726003752005-08-04T22:01:00.000-04:002005-08-04T22:02:22.733-04:00

"Man is the religious animal. He is the only religious animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion -— several of them. He is the only animal that loves his neighbor as himself and cuts his throat, if his theology isn't straight. He has made a graveyard of the globe in trying his honest best to smooth his brother's path to happiness and heaven."The trinity is complete.

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1123130716250396222005-08-04T00:44:00.000-04:002005-08-04T00:46:11.623-04:00

"Religion has caused more harm than any other idea since the beginning of time. There's nothing good I can say about it. People use it as a crutch."

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1123080025435068022005-08-03T10:30:00.000-04:002005-08-04T23:57:09.706-04:00

Linked? Nope, says "the writer who first told the thimerosal story in depth in the New York Times Magazine two and a half years ago":Bobby Kennedy Jr. ...recently discovered a new cause....he accuses government vaccine scientists and their academic advisers of covering up what for him is an uncontestable fact: the causal link between a mercury-containing preservative called thimerosal in

Erniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05312959085522625731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1123035097151366962005-08-02T21:31:00.000-04:002005-08-02T23:38:34.653-04:00

There is a very interesting analysis of the Bush Administration's foreign policy in The New Republic this week, arguing that the administration's ideology prevents it from dealing effectively with nuclear proliferation. The gist:...Indeed, of 15 scenarios discussed in a 2004 report by the Homeland Security Council--including terrorist attacks with chemical, biological, and radiological weapons--

Erniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05312959085522625731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1123010667354150042005-08-02T15:23:00.000-04:002005-08-02T16:12:23.623-04:00

"When are you people going to learn? It's not about who's right or wrong. No denomination's nailed it yet, and they never will because they're all too self-righteous to realize that it doesn't matter what you have faith in, just that you have faith. Your hearts are in the right place, but your brains need to wake up. I have issues with anyone who treats faith as a burden instead of a blessing.

stewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18066255777697768979noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1122997126216081052005-08-02T10:37:00.000-04:002005-08-02T16:59:30.230-04:00

On a mailing list I belong to, we're discussing the downsides of thermonuclear and geothermal energy production. Several recent points struck me:1. Solar isn't scalable because it costs more in energy to make an electricity producing solar-cell then it will recoup in its usable lifetime. This isn't expected to change in the near-term, based on what we know about the materials required.2. The

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1122951528962624502005-08-01T22:53:00.000-04:002005-08-02T00:00:28.396-04:00

I think prime numbers are like life. They are very logical but you could never work out the rules, even if you spent all your time thinking about them.It's from a book called, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, which I highly recommend. The book is written from the perspective of an autistic teenager, and while this simile may not be generally applicable, it

Erniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05312959085522625731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1122910920900847422005-08-01T11:28:00.000-04:002005-08-01T15:38:15.700-04:00

Are we, as a nation, being kept ignorant? I think so and (putting on my little tinfoil hat), I think it's entirely on purpose.On the cover of last Sunday's Boston Globe, there was a large investigatory article entitled "Beliefs drive research agenda of new think tanks" that explored so-called "conservative think tanks" and how they garner just as much support and have just as much credibility as

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1122909400599823752005-08-01T11:14:00.000-04:002005-08-01T11:21:22.100-04:00

Wireless Technology Turns Old-Fashioned Coin-Operated Device Into a Sophisticated Tool for Catching Scofflaws and Raising CashBy CHRISTOPHER CONKEYStaff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNALJune 30, 2005; Page B1 Technology is taking much of the fun out of finding a place to park the car.In Pacific Grove, Calif., parking meters know when a car pulls out of the spot and quickly reset to zero --

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1122621443688702652005-07-29T03:10:00.000-04:002005-07-29T14:27:15.680-04:00

Not quite the dodge I had anticipated, but a dodge nonetheless. Is the U.S. engaging in bilateral negotiations with North Korea, despite it's earlier pledge not to? Of course not! From the July 29th White House press briefing: Q Scott, the U.S. has now had three lengthy bilateral meetings in China with the North Koreans. Are you now having direct talks with the North Koreans? MR.

Erniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05312959085522625731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1122619793824096392005-07-29T02:30:00.000-04:002005-07-29T02:58:09.966-04:00

If what Arriana Huffington suggests in the post cited in Rob's post turns out to be true, this is bad news for those of us who would like to see the Bush administration tarnished by the Rove-Plame scandal. If Arriana's right, the conservative echo chamber will be able to chose from one of two tactics:1. It can try to distract from any accusations of wrongdoing by the Bush administration by

Erniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05312959085522625731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1122618164712475642005-07-29T02:19:00.000-04:002005-07-29T02:22:44.716-04:00

A cynical ploy to look moderate, or an act of conscience? From the NYT:In a break with President Bush, the Senate Republican leader, Bill Frist, has decided to support a bill to expand federal financing for embryonic stem cell research, a move that could push it closer to passage and force a confrontation with the White House, which is threatening to veto the measure.

Erniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05312959085522625731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1122595177375983202005-07-28T19:59:00.000-04:002005-07-28T19:59:37.386-04:00

Anyone remember "Telstar" by The Tornadoes? Well, this here's "The Robot"!

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1122593735251346462005-07-28T19:35:00.000-04:002005-07-28T20:00:40.856-04:00

Arianna Huffington has a very interesting perspective on Judith Miller. Is she a martyr to the cause of "pure journalism" or is she, as now seems possible, the source of the leak herself?!But a very different scenario is being floated in the halls. Here it is: It's July 6, 2003, and Joe Wilson's now famous op-ed piece appears in the Times, raising the idea that the Bush administration has "

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14751683.post-1122575402021897062005-07-28T14:26:00.000-04:002005-07-28T14:36:23.063-04:00

Who wrote this, where, when and about whom?The meaning of words had no longer the same relation to things, but was changed by them as they thought proper. Reckless daring was held to be loyal courage; prudent delay was the excuse of a coward; moderation was the disguise of unmanly weakness; to know everything was to do nothing. Frantic energy was the true quality of a man.A free pitcher to the

manhattanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01240905231372933509noreply@blogger.com4