2014 archive
Throwing in the Tea Towel? 2
Shaun Mullen wonders whether the Republican Party has given up on winning the Presidency, settling instead on barricading itself in the individual states. I know it sounds crazy, since the all-horserace-all-the-time news industry seems to think that the Presidential election is the only one that matters (it isn’t–just ask the people of North Carolina, to pick one), but his argument deserves a hearing.
Here’s a nugget:
Follow the link for his full discussion, including the math.
Americans the Ugly 0
Moved below the fold because it rudely autoplays on some systems.
Aside:
When I wrote this post, I was using Slackware Linux (once you Slack, you never go back–Slackware, the purest Linux, the Distro of Iron). The video does not autoplay on Slackware, but does autoplay on Mageia Linux, which I use on another computer because I like to explore different distros (“distributions”) of Linux operating systems.
I have a Windows computer, but it’s dual boot with Linux and is usually booted into the Linux side of the house, because, frankly, Linux just works better than Windows. Windows users, please use either the email link on the sidebar or the comments to let me if something is autoplaying, so I can deal with it accordingly.
Autoplaying is rude and obnoxious.
“The East Sea” 0
Virginia mandates a seachange (follow the link for details).
As hundreds of Korean-Americans watched intently, the House of Delegates passed legislation mandating that any new textbooks approved by the state Board of Education, when referring to the Sea of Japan, must note that it is also referred to as the East Sea.
I don’t really have an opinion about this.
Korean-Americans clearly feel very strongly and I do not. Wikipedia has a long article about the dispute over the name; the dispute itself seems fairly recent, though the names in question are ancient. I’m used to the term, “Sea of Japan,” because, well, it’s what I’m used to, but that’s not a reason.
In the larger picture, though, it seems to me that, if Texas can subvert the nation’s textbooks by mandating what is, ultimately, bullshit, I cannot criticize Virginia for recognizing a legitimate difference of opinion.
Full disclosure:
I have recently been reading a lot of Japanese history, because something–I forget what–got me interested in unlearning Western stereotypes and learning about Japan, which has a long, rich, and complex story.
I’m inclined towards “Sea of Japan,” but I think that’s because of the reading I’ve been doing and of what I’m used to.
Maybe next I should bone up on the history of Korea.
Bridging the Future 0
This is good news.
(snip)
Last spring Puglisi (the owner–ed.) contracted with Jim Woltz of Roanoke-based Woltz and Associates to auction the property, but told him that he wanted the national historic landmark to become a national or state park.
“He didn’t want it to be a carnival. He didn’t want to see a zip line off the bridge,” Woltz said.
If you have never seen it, it’s worth a trip.
The Rich Are Different from You and Me 0
Money makes them special. Just ask them.
(Moved below the fold because it autoplays on some systems. That’s just rude.)
The Quadrennial Winter Athletic Marketing Event: Snooze You Can Use 0
Reg Henry is not impressed. A nugget:
(snip)
The sports that make up the Winter Games are also a little suspect. You will note that they tend to be activities most people do for fun in the winter out of a sheer boredom, not a sense of competition. People have skated for centuries, but originally when they leaped about in imaginative ways it was just called showing off, not a perfect 10 on the judges’ scorecards.
Follow the link, then watch an NCIS rerun.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” (Updated) 0
Politeness begins at home.
Addendum:
More, from C&L.
Parenting columnist. Yeah.
Flat Earth Society 0
When Pat Robertson thinks you are a joke, does that mean you are a joke squared?
Makers and Takers 0
My friend and I were talking yesterday about what it would be like to have no heat when the temperature is in the 20s and you have no fireplaces or other sources of heat and, likely, because of frozen pipes, no water. I don’t want to imagine.
I used to live on the Main Line, where it seems all cold Hell is breaking lose. It really was a nice place to live; I feel for the persons freezing in their dwellings.
But I have been made cynical, I guess because I pay attention.
When I read this story, all I could think was that here’s yet another wingnut governor who decries the evul fedrul guvmint except when his hand is out.
Not nice people.
The Quadrennial Winter Athletic Marketing Event Begins Today 0
Listen to the words of a veteran Olympic athlete:
The socialization of my allegiance to Verizon began the moment I was selected—as an 11-year-old—for the US development team. The culture within the US Luge Association viewed brand loyalty as integral to the survival of the organization. All of my clothing was plastered with the Verizon logo. I was not allowed near any camera without giving a visual and verbal statement of thanks to Verizon for making all of my dreams come true. I went through intensive media training each year to reinforce this allegiance—to learn how to be a better spokesperson for Verizon.
Read the rest, then watch a Castle rerun.
Talking Points uber Alles 0
I once overheard one of my neighbors say to someone, “[Redacted], every other word out of your mouth is a lie.” (And he was correct, but that’s another story.)
And that person wasn’t even a Republican.
Hostage Takers 0
Bayer’s slogan is “Science for a Better Life.”
By the way, you can’t blame this one on American corporate culture. Bayer is a German outfit.
Blame corporate culture as a whole.