2011 archive
Clouds 0
We had some unusual clouds Monday night.
I understand rain was pouring down at the beach front, which is a ways from here (we got only a smattering), and I could see both the tops and bottoms of the thunderheads:
Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Think 0
At the Guardian, Hadley Freeman explores the confusing world of wingnut doublethink. A snippet:
(Incidentally, a version of this self-entitled mentality was echoed by Megyn Kelly on Fox News, the GOP mouthpiece, last week when she ferociously defended her right to maternity leave, despite having derided “entitled programmes” in the past. As Jon Stewart pointed out: “They’re really only entitlements when they’re something other people want. When it’s something you want, they’re a hallmark of a civilised society.”)
It’s Not the Candidate 0
Jonathan Bernstein points out that a “traditional” Republican doesn’t have a chance as a Republican candidate. A snippet from the article:
Bernstein link via Balloon Juice.
I Get Mail 0
Heh.
I can’t wait to see which Republican candidate will terrify me into voting for Obama again.
Cantor’s Cant 0
I was too young in 1961 to notice this cartoon, but the description of it really does capture the sense of entitlement central to Republicanism:
Follow the link to see the writer Cantorize the wound.
Afterthought:
In Republican world, there’s never enough money to help the poor and always enough money to help the rich.
QOTD 0
Napoleon Bonaparte, from the Quotemaster (subscribe here):
What then is, generally speaking, the truth of history? A fable agreed upon.
Grounded 0
Linda Clawson and Sam Seder analyze the Republican tactics and goals in the now-ended FAA funding hostage situation.
Stray Thought 0
Have you ever noticed that, when God talks to Republicans, he always tells them exactly what they want to hear, even though the answer to one contradicts the answer to the other?
Deficit Drumbeats along the Yongding 2
Through state media, China is taking advantage of the US financial situation to suggest that US military spending is too high. A snippet from the Asia Times report:
I tend to agree that US military spending is out of control, though I am certain my path to that conclusion is much different from China’s. As I heard today, nine days worth of military spending in Afghanistan would fill the budget hole at the US Post Office.*
I suspect China is primarily concerned with protecting their investments in US T-Bills.
Aside:
The Republican Party is not “deficit-phobic.” It is deficit prone, as a casual acquaintance with its track record shows. Its current “deficit-phobia” is a tactic, more three-card monte.
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*Next week, the show link will move from “Current Show” to the Show Archives. It’s kind of a screwy way to do it, but that’s how their website works.
Why I’ve Lost Interest in College Sports 0
Bob Molinaro, discussing rumors of another college conference reshuffle in my local rag:
(snip)
As you may have noticed, tradition in college sports doesn’t exist anymore. Unless you’re talking about the tradition of winking at ethics and decency.
Polarization 0
What the Booman said.
Site Redesign Update, Web Cerfing Dept. 0
This theme allows me to post the complete Bennett Cerf quotation that forms the motto of this blog.
Bennett Cerf was a genius, a scholar, a gentleman, and a lover of English, which he showed in his affection for puns, the horribler the better.
As a country boy who has become a city boy, I can attest to the accuracy of this particular quotation.
And Now for Something Completely Different 0
Seen on the Street 0
Or, more properly, on the CBBT.
I have the boid book out and am trying to figure out what they are. My very tentative guess so far is immature gulls.
