Palintology
A new level of moronism from the likely 2012 Republican presidential nominee: “I thought about how much fun other governors have as lame ducks. They maybe travel around their state, travel to other states, maybe take their overseas international trade missions. I’m not going to put Alaskans through that.” At the moment, pretty much all governors are struggling to keep their budgets afloat without drastic cuts in vital services during a recession. She should ask Arnold Schwarzenegger how much “fun” he’s having as a lame duck. Fucking idiot.
Things from my childhood that are still around, but probably not for too much longer: the Declaration of Independence reprinted on the back page of the front section of the NY Times on July 4.
Bing sorta beats Google to real-time Twitter search integration.
Which the world has been crying out for.
Steve Martin, “The Ethicist,” The New Yorker, 3/5/01:
I am a sixth-grade teacher and would like to hang the Ten Commandments on the wall of my classroom. However. I am told that this is illegal. I’m not sure whether I should honor the Great God Jehovah, Lord of the Universe, or the Constitution of the United States. What should l do?
Easy. Change all the “Thou shalt nots” to “Don’ts.” Cut the one about coveting your neighbor’s wife (now regarded as “too little too late”). Change the word “Commandments” to “Suggestions.” You now have “The Nine Suggestions.” This should make everyone happy.
Temptation Island in reverse.
(Newser Summary) – This was probably only a matter of time: A Turkish game show starting this fall will bring on 10 atheists per show and give holy men from four faiths the chance to convert them, the Guardian reports. A Muslim imam, a Greek Orthodox priest, a rabbi, and a Buddhist monk will do their best. Contestants who are persuaded to choose a religion will win a pilgrimage to Mecca, Jerusalem, or Tibet.
The makers of Tovbekarlar Yarisiyor—Penitents Compete—say the aim is to “turn disbelievers on to God,” and to help educate Turkey’s overwhelmingly Muslim population about other faiths. Contestants will be vetted before the show to make sure they are genuine disbelievers, then monitored afterward to make sure they’ve actually converted and are not just faking it to get a free vacation. God forbid.
Source: Guardian (UK)
And, specifically, the cuts in aid to states (money that would have found its way back into the economy very quickly) demanded by centrists were especially destructive. This is not the right time to be a deficit hawk.
“U.S. Blues,” Grateful Dead. Wave that flag, wave it wide and high. Happy Independence Day!
Merle Travis and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, “Dark As A Dungeon” (via Young Manhattanite). Just thinking about miners.
Re: Twitter trademarking the word “Tweet”
A. They can have it. B. If they think they can encourage some companies who use it the way they want and only go after the “damaging” uses, they may be on shaky legal ground. To win trademark infringement cases you have to show you are actively protecting your exclusive rights; if you tolerate some usage it can be argued you aren’t.
Are you a political wife whose husband has just confessed to a sexual indiscretion? Never fear: Maureen Dowd is here to mock you as you struggle to cope with your abrupt public humiliation.
Dowd’s scolding, caustic hectoring is all the more appalling because the material she is working with — the loony musings of the latest Republican Party rising star to faceplant — is comedic gold. But no, she’d rather register her arch disapproval of Elizabeth Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Jenny Sanford, etc. It’s not funny, or well-done, in the kind of way that would justify such nastiness aimed at fallible human beings who didn’t choose to have their families fall apart in front of the whole world; it’s just a collage of condescending put-downs:
No matter how revolting your husband’s behavior is, don’t be passive-aggressive in public. Refrain from making any remarks that have a veneer of dignity but derogatory subtexts… Even if you’re a clever, competent woman, you risk sounding like a stereotypical harridan if you use the kids as a bludgeon… Don’t slam his girlfriend for lying when you know she’s telling the truth. Don’t refer to the baby your rival had with your husband as “it.” Don’t trash a mistress, as Hillary and Elizabeth did, as a wacky stalker.
I thought Emily Gould was being too harsh when she said that Dowd “can be such a ladder-pulling-up cow sometimes,” but now I’m rethinking that.
Cops pepper-spray crowd at Democratic fundraiser in California
House Race Hotline:
A fundraiser for ‘04/’06 nominee Francine Busby (D) “ended in chaos” 6/26 when sheriff’s deputies “responded to a noise complaint, pepper-sprayed some of the guests and arrested the party’s hostess.” The “catered affair, which included valet parking,” was to support Busby’s ‘10 bid. The “minimum suggested donation” was $50. Busby: “I have never seen anything like it. Most of the people were stunned.”
Deputy Marshall Abbott first went to the home to “issue a warning” after a neighbor called and complained about the “loud party” (Davis/Lee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/28). That call was made around 9:30. Busby said she spoke on a microphone from 8-8:30 to a group of “middle-aged” supporters. Event host Shari Barman added that during Busby’s speech, a “male at a house behind hers shouted disparaging remarks about Busby and gays” (Lau, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/28).
Deputies “returned later when the party hadn’t quieted down, and one deputy asked for” Barman’s date of birth “so he could file paperwork alerting the city to the noise complaints.” Sheriff’s officials said Barman “refused” to give the info, “and that’s when things got out of control.” They say a crowd “of about 30 to 50 partygoers surrounded” Barman when the deputy tried to arrest her, and they were able to “separate her from the deputy.” Pepper spray was dispersed on the crowd, and the deputies were able to reach her again. At one point, a person “refused to let go of Barman’s leg so the deputy could take her away. Barman also allegedly punched” Abbott, according to police (Davis/Lee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/28).
Busby and the event’s guests offer a different story. Busby: “He was pepper-spraying the faces of anyone who tried to talk to him.” In a statement, Barman said she asked the deputy “why he needed” her birthdate. Barman: “He told me I was under arrest, grabbed my right arm, twisted it behind me and threw me on the ground.” When Barman’s partner “asked the deputy to be careful because Barman had recently had shoulder surgery,” Barman said the deputy “knocked her to the ground as well.”
Sgt. Thomas Yancey: “The place got out of hand. If Francine Busby was there, why not take a leadership role?” Busby said she couldn’t intervene because Abbot “was pepper-spraying people indiscriminately” (Lau, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/28).
