Some of the email messages sent by former FEMA director Michael Brown have been released. They do not make Brown, who is currently acting as a “consultant” and still receiving money from FEMA equivalent to his salary as chief of the agency, look as if he had a sense of the scope or urgency of the disaster in the wake of hurricane Katrina, nor does Brown come across as the “strong leader” he presented himself to be in the Congressional hearings after the disaster. While political...

…formerly reserved to strictly secular organizations, the question arises: Is it important to consider the source when giving disaster aid? One faith-based organization apparently felt it was, and acted accordingly.

Cross-posted to Random Fate. — I have a post in the works on the entire “Pajamas Media” story, but at the moment, this email I received today encapsulates the hypocrisy: Subject: NY Launch Invite For New “Citizen Journalism” News Service – Pajamas Media Hi Jack, On November 16th, 2005 Pajamas Media will launch a new publishing medium that brings together some of the top online influencers and personalities, under one banner, to help evolve and expand journalism....

From MSNBC.com: WASHINGTON – President Bush is nominating Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, The Associated Press has learned, choosing a long-time federal judge embraced by judicial conservatives to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Bush plans to announce the nomination at 8 a.m. EST, officials said. The story continues with an observation that this choice may mend fences within the Republican Party after the nomination of Harriet Miers, who apparently was chosen because...

A short, personal take on the reactions to the outcome of the investigation by Patrick Fitzgerald can be found at my personal weblog Random Fate. Perhaps my photo-walk in a graveyard today was unintentionally appropriate.

…interim definitions have to take the place of the more complete treatise that one would prefer.

While I try to assemble thoughts on the withdrawal of the Harriet Miers nomination to the US Supreme Court, instead of saying something incoherent in an attempt of an immediate reaction that is typical of blogworld I offer two observations that seem particularly apropos of the moment at my personal weblog, Random Fate.

Harriet Miers has withdrawn her nomination to the US Supreme Court. According to CNN.com: President Bush on Thursday accepted the withdrawal of Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers, according to a statement from the White House. In her letter to the president, Miers said she was “concerned that the confirmation process presents a burden for the White House and its staff and it is not in the best interest of the country.” “It is clear that senators would not be satisfied until they...

…in any indictments that may occur this week. For my personal take on “fitzmas,” you can see my weblog, Random Fate.

…regarding what may or may not happen this week in political matters, you can turn to my weblog, Random Fate, where I have posted some photos from Grenoble, France, and I have some ruminations on the technology of the cassette tape.

Taking a short break from the politics of the day: This site (from Australia, the first line of which is, “Welcome to my site about the Energia Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLLV). ) makes a compelling case for the superiority of the Energia/Buran system over the US Space Shuttle. The only improvement I can see would be in putting the Buran shuttle on the top of the stack rather than the side to completely eliminate the possiblity of ice or insulation falling off to damage the shuttle component. Ironcially,...

…by the administration that “the terrorists” are the greatest threat to the United States. Are they, really, when examined with an eye not solely focused upon winning the next election?

At my weblog, Random Fate, I have a post that was written in the context of a USA Today article on the reaction of FEMA to the conditions at the New Orleans Superdome in the wake of hurricane Katrina. The post is titled “Absolution is not granted through the errors of others” because it is intended to convey a message to those using the revelations of exactly how overwrought the reporting issued at the time of the disaster was as a stick to beat critics of the response made by those...

…one must take care that the results of the ephemeral victory do not return to bite one in the ass.

…are beginning to resemble the early stages of a very ugly divorce. One wonders who will be changing their name?

Cross-posted to Random Fate. Given the recent imbroglio over the “unstaged but rehearsed” discussion between President George W. Bush and some members of the Armed Forces stationed in Iraq, along with the widening investigation of the Armstrong Williams/Department of Education matter, the following question arises that is worthy of discussion: When does “spin” become propaganda? Leave your answer in the comments, or trackback from your weblog.

…I have written, as someone who is a self-described moderate but who does have strong, definite opinions and deeply held beliefs. Actions versus words… The lesson taught was not the one intended Not everything is linked There are patterns in the white noise of the endless media deluge, if we are willing to take the time to think, instead of merely react.

Cross-posted to Random Fate. — The nomination of Harriet Miers to fill the seat of retiring Associate Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner has created something of a furor among those who lean to the right-wing, almost resembling internecine war in some aspects. I do understand and appreciate the points made by those for whom there are fundamental principles at stake, principles of competence, qualifications, the problem of at least the appearance of cronyism (if not the actual fact,...

…body language speaks volumes. Could this story have been published 12 months ago? Somehow, I think it would not have. Often times, stories that reinforce the apparent trends gain the headlines. Read that as you will.

…since not everything in life revolves around them, I have posted a few photos at Random Fate, one of a church doorway and two others of street-side advertisments that likely would not be considered “appropriate” in the United States. I also discovered a portfolio from the past showing “how to draw the nude from example,” assuming I translated the French title correctly. I have a few of the examples posted. Enjoy!