Today's literary quote of the day is from William Somerset Maugham's Of Human Bondage: People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise. H/t S.L. As always share your thoughts on today's literary quote in the comment section of this post. P.S. … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: William Somerset Maugham
Nonviolent Communication
Yesterday, commenter Christine Stanley linked to websites about 'nonviolent communication', wondering what commenter Chuck and yours truly (and everyone else of course) thought of the concept. For those interested, here are the links as provided by Christine: nonviolent communication website Wikipedia on nonviolent communication Wikipedia article on the creater of this … [Read more...] about Nonviolent Communication
(Updated) New Baghdad Security Sweep Is Underway
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki may have been the last to know, but Operation Baghdad, the new security sweep promised in President Bush's "surge" strategy is officially underway. The New York Times reports that: “It is ongoing as we speak,â€? said Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell, a spokesman for the American military. “The implementation of the prime minister’s … [Read more...] about (Updated) New Baghdad Security Sweep Is Underway
Pot As a ‘Gateway’ Drug and Other Fictions
Not a month goes by without a new study on the evils or benefits – or beneficial evils – of marijuana. USA Today has entered the fray with an interesting story on how millions of baby boomers smoked pot in their youth and quit with little effort, while their kids are having a tougher time kicking the reefer habit. The story states that: [S]tudies have shown that … [Read more...] about Pot As a ‘Gateway’ Drug and Other Fictions
Haggard the Happy Heterosexual
I don't have too much to add to the whole sordid Ted Haggard affair beyond what I wrote back in November, which included this: The drug use, the closeted homosexuality, the solicitation of prostitution -- a life of hypocrisy, of empty moralism, of fear and self-loathing. And then the initial denials and subsequent admissions. And now the confession. It's such a good story, … [Read more...] about Haggard the Happy Heterosexual
Open Thread
Play nice. … [Read more...] about Open Thread
Reality Check
The Senate is locked in stalemate, a great deliberative body ground down by procedural minutiae, but, beyond the immediate politics of resolutions, debates on resolutions, and debates on debates on resolutions, where do the one hundred members of that august body stand on Iraq? As MyDD's Chris Bowers is reporting, The Politico has conducted a survey of all senators, asking … [Read more...] about Reality Check
The Event Club
I linked to chapter 6 of The Event yesterday, right after Mick LaSalle published it. A week ago, we had a long and passionate debate about The Event, some people liked it, some people didn't. Anyway, from now on I will link to the new chapter whenever it is published and, the next day, after everybody read the chapter, I thought it would be a good / fun idea to publish … [Read more...] about The Event Club
Joe Lieberman: The Lorax
With John Kerry out of the picture, it is difficult to find a Democrat whose political stock has fallen more than Joe Lieberman. There is much to admire about Lieberman, but much to dislike, and the portrait that Jeffrey Goldberg paints of the self-described “independent Democratâ€? from Connecticut in a New Yorker profile titled “The Loraxâ€? (after the Dr. Seuss … [Read more...] about Joe Lieberman: The Lorax
Who’s the Man?
John McIntyre wrote an interesting article for Real Clear Politics in which he deals with the 'conventional wisdom' that Rudy Giuliani "is un-nominatable as a Republican for President given his less than conservative positions on many social issues." In McIntyre's opinion... this conventional wisdom is wrong: Not only can Giuliani win the GOP nomination, but as the Republican … [Read more...] about Who’s the Man?
Arab Newspaper: U.S. Finally Realizes It Must Use Overwhelming Force
From the indispensible site Watching America, comes this translation from Kuwait's Arab Times that in effect says the U.S. has finally realized it must use "overwhelming force" (the Powell Doctrine) in Iraq:FOUR years after invading and occupying Iraq, allowing thousands to drown in lakes of blood and forcing huge numbers to migrate to other countries to escape sectarian … [Read more...] about Arab Newspaper: U.S. Finally Realizes It Must Use Overwhelming Force
Five More Reasons To Love Global Warming
From moderate cartoonist Tom Briscoe: … [Read more...] about Five More Reasons To Love Global Warming
We’re the Government — and You’re Not
A video that shows you how to be a good citizen: Special thanks to moderate cartoonist Tom Briscoe for the tip. … [Read more...] about We’re the Government — and You’re Not
Politics Is Hell
GOP Fears Hillary Clinton Has “Big Mo”
The Politico reports that top GOPers have begun to fear that New York Senator Hillary Clinton may have what George Bush I called "Big Mo" -- big momentum that will not only win her the 2008 Democratic nomination but propel her into the White House:What many conservatives regard as the nightmare scenario -- President Hillary Rodham Clinton -- is increasingly seen by veteran … [Read more...] about GOP Fears Hillary Clinton Has “Big Mo”
Litter in Space
When I watched the Mercury & Gemini blastoffs as a child in Ohio, this problem was not much contemplated. NY Times: Orbiting Junk, Once a Nuisance, Is Now a Threat … [Read more...] about Litter in Space
Unity08 Now Enrolling “Founding Delegates”
You can now sign up over at Unity08 to be a "Founding Delegate" for their 2008 national presidential primary. More information here. UPDATE Sam Waterston on Unity08 … [Read more...] about Unity08 Now Enrolling “Founding Delegates”
Rudy Giuliani
The Event: Chapter 6
People: Mick LaSalle just e-mailed me that he published the sixth chapter of The Event. I - being addicted to it - read it immediately and... it's a great chapter. President Lyle B. East is... starting to act more and more "scary". Some people are seeing him for what he really is: the beast. The one who attacks East most aggressively, however, is not someone people would have … [Read more...] about The Event: Chapter 6
So Rudy’s In (almost)
Yes -- as the other Michael reported earlier -- it looks like Rudy Giuliani is running for president after all. (Maybe.) (By the way, did you know he was actually the mayor of New York on 9/11? Huh. I had no idea. I mean, he could have told us or something.) He polls well -- vague memories of heroism and all -- but I'm with Kevin Drum on this: "The average voter has … [Read more...] about So Rudy’s In (almost)