January, 2012 archive
QOTD 0
Montesquieu, from the Quotemaster (subscribe here):
If I knew of something that could serve my nation but would ruin another, I would not propose it to my prince, for I am first a man and only then a Frenchman.
Naked Is the Best Disguise 3
El Reg:
The more of this sort of stuff I read about, the less I participate in social spybots networks.
I would not be surprised if someone starts selling call-home clothing without telling us.
Aside:
If you are reading this on Facebook, know that the posts are automated. I actually sign in less than twice a month unless I get a message in email (also automated).
Down Perryscope 0
Daniel Ruth pens a brilliant, acerbic obituary for Rick Perry’s candidacy.
Here’s a bit.
Perry didn’t run a presidential campaign. He ran as the poster child for civics illiteracy in America, and by the time he quit the race Thursday he had made the George W. Bush years look like the Age of Enlightenment. This was too much even for the voters of South Carolina.
Read the whole thing, not just for the bits about Perry, but for what it says about the clown car that the nominating process has become.
Making Amendments
0
Steve Chapman, writing at the Chicago Tribune, considers the frequency with which (mostly rightwing) candidates call for amendments to the Constitution, amendments to mandate a balanced budget, to outlaw abortion, even to repeal other amendments.
He finds them hollow, much like (this is my addition) those who propose them (emphasis added).
When a presidential candidate vows to amend the Constitution, he may be doing any number of things: dodging a tough issue, pandering to a bloc of voters or trying to sound bold. What he is not doing is telling the truth.
A Newt Is a Small Lizard 0
In a long post at Delaware Liberal, Delaware Dem sums up the appeal of Newt the Gingrinch:
Racism has been part of the underlying appeal of the Republican Party since Nixon’s odious Southern Strategy.
It is now becoming the overlying appeal, as the Republican Party continues to react to the election of a black President by morphing into the Dixiecrat Party.
It will be interesting to see whether Mitt the Flip and the Republican Party’s erstwhile corporate masters can flip the overlying back to the underlying, where they prefer it lie. Dick Polman thinks that Mitt the Flip has a chance to flip Florida.
SOPA/PIPA and World Domination 0
As atrios points out, the “anti-piracy” bills in Congress aren’t about piracy.
They are about putting Hollywood in charge of the internet.
Dan Gillmor discusses this in the Guardian. A nugget:
The Fee Shiv of the Market 0
How regulations are killing the Mafia:
New Dimensions in Selling Out 0
Frankly, I think this is a vile idea. I cannot look forward to driving the Pampers Highway.
If you’re interested, the governor may have a bridge you can make your own – or at least name.
As part of his 2012 transportation plan, Gov. Bob McDonnell has proposed selling naming rights to the state’s roads and bridges.
Are Republicans determined to sacrifice all dignity to Mammon?
Don’t Believe Everything You Read. 0
I met someone recently who thought “Santorum” actually means what Teh Google says it means (no, I’m not putting that definition here; Google it if you must).
Really and truly.
We explained the concept of “Google Bomb.”
The Gekko Flips for Mitt 0
Afterthought:
One would have expected a gekko to support a newt, simply out of family loyalty.
QOTD 0
Gore Vidal, from the Quotemaster (subscribe here):
The period of Prohibition–called the noble experiment–brought on the greatest breakdown of law and order the United States has known until today. I think there is a lesson here. Do not regulate the private morals of people.
