The always hilarious Jon Swift writes that reading books is - in his opinion - greatly overrated and... that's exactly why he supports the librarians of Fairfax County, Virginia who 'have reinvented the idea of the library for the 21st century. "A book is not forever," says Sam Clay, the director of the system. "If you have 40 feet of shelf space taken up by books on tulips and … [Read more...] about Books Schmooks!
Center of Attention
Sorry for not doing a Center of Attention yesterday. Yesterday I had (and still have) a fever, headache, cold, etc. so I was not in the best of shapes to post... anything. Anyway, here is today's Center of Attention: A Newer World gives us the first ten bills of the 110th Congress. Brad DeLong: In Condemnation of One-Equation Economics. For those who don't know what … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Democrats Oppose Useless Surge
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have sent George W. Bush a letter in which they urge him to "reject his reported plan to escalate the war in Iraq by increasing troop levels and delaying the ability of the Iraqi government take control of their own future." From the letter: "We want to do everything we can to help Iraq succeed in the future but, like many of our senior military … [Read more...] about Democrats Oppose Useless Surge
Rearranging the Deck Chairs
There has been a furious rearranging of the deck chairs on the Ship of State of late, but you're not being given the whole story. Nosiree. Not to worry. Your Faithful Correspondent is here to tell you what's gotting lost in the translation: What You're Being Told: General George Casey is losing his job as the top military commander in Iraq because President Bush thinks he … [Read more...] about Rearranging the Deck Chairs
Classic Comedy: Curly Howard
The Three Stooges' Jerome "Curly" Howard (the baby brother of fellow stooges Moe and Shemp) was a comedy genius who had a sad and short life. Here's a classic courtroom scene: … [Read more...] about Classic Comedy: Curly Howard
Attention Bill O’Reilly:
You might avoid saying everyone at NBC hates George Bush because you're mad at Keith Olbermann. You're getting conservative MSNBC talk show host Joe Scarborough mad -- so mad he has challenged you to a debate. … [Read more...] about Attention Bill O’Reilly:
White House Changes Rules On Visitor Records
The words "cover up" are likely be heard due to this development:The White House and the Secret Service quietly signed an agreement last spring in the midst of the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal declaring that records identifying visitors to the White House are not open to the public. And the true devil is in the details:The Bush administration didn't reveal the existence … [Read more...] about White House Changes Rules On Visitor Records
This Just In!!
THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz:God Denies Talking to Pat Robertson Supreme Being Calls Televangelist ‘Delusional’ Just days after the Rev. Pat Robertson claimed on his “700 Clubâ€? program that God warned him of “mass killingsâ€? in the U.S. late in 2007, God held a rare press conference today to deny having spoken to the controversial … [Read more...] about This Just In!!
The Internet Game You KNEW Would Appear
It's Rosie Versus Trump. … [Read more...] about The Internet Game You KNEW Would Appear
Oliver North Nixes Bush’s Iraq “Surge” Plan
More bad news for President George W. Bush. If this keeps up, the only people strongly endorsing his impending plan for a "surge" (escalation) of troops in Iraq will be Rush, Sean, John Mc and Joe L: For months, advisers to President George W. Bush have been trying to convince the commander in chief that more U.S. troops in Iraq will improve prospects for victory. Senators … [Read more...] about Oliver North Nixes Bush’s Iraq “Surge” Plan
The Next President Up Close and Personal
If the presidential election were held today, John McCain would win despite Democratic inroads in the mid-term election. When the presidential election is held, John McCain will win unless fate intervenes. In my view, the presidential election is McCain's to lose. Other than that torture thing (as in McCain tacitly supporting its use by U.S. intelligence officers despite … [Read more...] about The Next President Up Close and Personal
Barney Frank Accuses Bush of “Ethnic Cleansing”
Really, couldn't the whack-a-doo wing of the Democratic Party have tried to keep the promises of their more sane-minded members: bipartisanship, a reasonable debate, and so on? they, they, they let the hurricane do the ethnic cleansing, because then they’re, all they’re doing is not resisting it, that’s why I call ethnic cleansing by inaction, and I know that there are … [Read more...] about Barney Frank Accuses Bush of “Ethnic Cleansing”
Superman Goes Away
John Cole's review of Superman Returns: "Rather than giving this movie two thumbs down, I instead choose to give it the finger. This movie was clearly made to make the Hulk remake revival look good by comparison. Don’t buy it. Don’t rent it. Don’t watch it. And if anyone tells you it was good, remember their names and ignore their movie advice in the future." … [Read more...] about Superman Goes Away
Nancy Pelosi’s Speech
As per a reader's request, here's the You Tube of her speech: Housekeeping matter: We're also posting this because some of our You Tube embeds vanish after we post them. This is going onto this site with the proper code. If it vanishes it won't be by us. … [Read more...] about Nancy Pelosi’s Speech
Trent Lott Suggests He Might Oppose Iraq Escalation
Minority Whip Trent Lott says he may oppose a troop escalation in Iraq. Details here. If you take Democrat opposition and couple it with clear and mounting signs of unease it's clear that if President George Bush does come out for a "surge" -- a political protection word to avoid at all costs using the alarming word "escalate" -- in Iraq, any policy Bush puts into place … [Read more...] about Trent Lott Suggests He Might Oppose Iraq Escalation
Podcasting the 110th Congress
On the first episode of my Zenith Podcast, I opine on the first day for Pelosi & Co. Some good, some disappointment. Later in the episode, it morphs into a rant about the idea of "majority vs. minority" in American politics that focuses on the maxim if Americans elect a mix, we want a mix, and extends beyond parties or current circumstances. Give it a listen! … [Read more...] about Podcasting the 110th Congress
The Media: Another Funeral in Philadelphia
They had another funeral at the once mighty Philadelphia Inquirer this week, this time the layoffs of 71 reporters and editors. I worked 21 years for the Inky’s rival, the Philadelphia Daily News, but my heart is just as broken as if I had lost a dear friend – or in this case nearly six dozen of them. Joe Gandelman, the maestro of this fine blog, can relate. Joe also … [Read more...] about The Media: Another Funeral in Philadelphia
Big Painting, Big Effort, Big Save
Beginning at 4 this afternoon, visitors to the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be able to see something that only a couple of months ago seemed impossible -- "The Gross Clinic," one of the great masterpieces of American realism -- which was about to be snatched from the city where it was painted and had been on display for 128 years. The Thomas Eakins painting had been … [Read more...] about Big Painting, Big Effort, Big Save
Big Apple, Big Values, Big Hero
There was a time when I was afraid to go into New York City, let alone bring my children along. But after bottoming out during the 80s, an era characterized by rampant crime, filth and graffiti, The Big Apple is back and better than ever. My first forays back to New York City were in the late 90s when I was a road manager for a rock band. In stops from the Bronx to Greenwich … [Read more...] about Big Apple, Big Values, Big Hero
Jamil Hussein Does Exist?
The AP reports. The Interior Ministry acknowledged Thursday that an Iraqi police officer whose existence had been denied by the Iraqis and the U.S. military is in fact an active member of the force, and said he now faces arrest for speaking to the media. Ministry spokesman Brig. Abdul-Karim Khalaf, who had previously denied there was any such police employee as Capt. Jamil … [Read more...] about Jamil Hussein Does Exist?