Jonathan Last has a great piece in today's Wall Street Journal (available to all) on the dubious merits of J-schools:
Those of us saddened by the declining fortunes of the newspaper industry had hoped that shrinking newspaper staffs would have at least one salutary effect: fewer journalism-school graduates. This has not proved to be the case. In 2005, newspapers cut 2,000 jobs; this spring more people graduated from journalism schools than ever before.
On the education of young journalists, there has been much recent debate. There is one argument over whether or not journalists should aspire to objectivity and another about the liberal bias that permeates journalism programs. But the problem isn't that journalists are being taught improperly; it's that the foundations of journalistic education are faulty.
The notion of a special program for journalists first surfaced at the turn of the century, when Joseph Pulitzer dreamed of founding a school of journalism at Columbia. In 1902, he offered the university $2 million to establish one. The administration wavered; Pulitzer's peers thought the idea ludicrous. As Michael Lewis once reported in The New Republic, a New York newspaper editor "suggested that one might as well set up a graduate school in swimming."
Last goes to suggest that instead of teaching students how to be journalists, schools should focus on providing them with real knowledge:
Instead of educating future journalists on the nuts and bolts of journalism--because let's be honest, it isn't rocket science or even carpentry--it would make more sense simply to teach them things. Facts, it turns out, are useful.
Most people can write a nut graph after 30 minutes of practice, but comparatively few people can explain, say, econometrics, or fluid dynamics, or the history of the French Revolution. Aspiring journalists don't need trade-craft--they need a liberal-arts education that gives them a base of mastery in actual academic subjects.
Such knowledge might help journalists avoid such embarassing mistakes as not being aware of the political views of John Kenneth Galbraith or knowing that the American military decoration for being wounded or killed in action is the Purple Heart, not the Purple Star (to cite two recent examples from the corrections page of the "paper of record").
Friday, May 19, 2006
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Book Learnin'
Since the coffers here at Fraters Libertas Inc. have been relatively flush of late, the executive board decided to reinvest a bit of our hard earned filthy lucre. Several untraceable transactions between accounts in the Cayman Islands, Switzerland, and Dubai later, an order was placed with Amazon for purposes of continuous learning. Once the shipment arrived at an undisclosed location and was signed for by a Joe E. Sixpack, the contents were distributed by means of dead drops to the relevant parties.
Each of us has been presented with a book to read, review, and pass on.
Saint Paul was given first dibs and chose, Guests of the Ayatollah: The First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam by Mark Bowden. Given Saint Paul's usual reading pace and the prodigious amounts of time he spends watching C-SPAN, I would expect his review to be posted no later than the end of the first quarter 2007.
JB Doubtless has been tasked with Imperial Grunts : The American Military on the Ground by Robert D. Kaplan. Once "American Idol" wraps up, I expect JB to knuckle down and knock his assignment off shortly thereafter.
Atomizer has been asked to digest Knowing the Enemy: Jihadist Ideology and the War on Terror by Mary Habeck. Barring any unexpected binges, a resurgence of the Twins, or a sudden reoccurrence of the gout, Atomizer will likely have something to say on the book very soon. Whether he'll ever post it here is an entirely different matter.
Lastly, I am plowing my way through Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife: Counterinsurgency Lessons from Malaya and Vietnam by John A. Nagl. The main thesis of Nagl's book is that the British counterinsurgency effort in Malaysia succeeded because the British Army was a learning organization, while the US Army was not such an organization in Vietnam and thus was unable to win the war. Nagl spent a year in Iraq as well and shares a few thoughts on what lessons of those two conflicts are applicable there as well as some reasons why Iraq is different. He believes that the US has the opportunity to be victorious in Iraq because the current Army is able to learn and adapt. We certainly better hope that is the case.
An interesting side note in Nagl's book is a discussion on how it was Jomini much more than Clausewitz who proposed that the only way to win a war was to destroy the enemy's army on the battlefield. Over the years, that view has often been incorrectly attributed to Clausewitz, despite the fact that he, much more than Jomini, recognized the importance of the government and the people in ultimate victory, factors which became crucial to the revolutionary war concept espoused by Mao and adapted by many insurgencies in the 20th century. [Editor's note: The preceding paragraph was penned solely for the benefit of JB Doubtless and his buddies at the Claremont Institute.]
Each of us has been presented with a book to read, review, and pass on.
Saint Paul was given first dibs and chose, Guests of the Ayatollah: The First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam by Mark Bowden. Given Saint Paul's usual reading pace and the prodigious amounts of time he spends watching C-SPAN, I would expect his review to be posted no later than the end of the first quarter 2007.
JB Doubtless has been tasked with Imperial Grunts : The American Military on the Ground by Robert D. Kaplan. Once "American Idol" wraps up, I expect JB to knuckle down and knock his assignment off shortly thereafter.
Atomizer has been asked to digest Knowing the Enemy: Jihadist Ideology and the War on Terror by Mary Habeck. Barring any unexpected binges, a resurgence of the Twins, or a sudden reoccurrence of the gout, Atomizer will likely have something to say on the book very soon. Whether he'll ever post it here is an entirely different matter.
Lastly, I am plowing my way through Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife: Counterinsurgency Lessons from Malaya and Vietnam by John A. Nagl. The main thesis of Nagl's book is that the British counterinsurgency effort in Malaysia succeeded because the British Army was a learning organization, while the US Army was not such an organization in Vietnam and thus was unable to win the war. Nagl spent a year in Iraq as well and shares a few thoughts on what lessons of those two conflicts are applicable there as well as some reasons why Iraq is different. He believes that the US has the opportunity to be victorious in Iraq because the current Army is able to learn and adapt. We certainly better hope that is the case.
An interesting side note in Nagl's book is a discussion on how it was Jomini much more than Clausewitz who proposed that the only way to win a war was to destroy the enemy's army on the battlefield. Over the years, that view has often been incorrectly attributed to Clausewitz, despite the fact that he, much more than Jomini, recognized the importance of the government and the people in ultimate victory, factors which became crucial to the revolutionary war concept espoused by Mao and adapted by many insurgencies in the 20th century. [Editor's note: The preceding paragraph was penned solely for the benefit of JB Doubtless and his buddies at the Claremont Institute.]
Summer School
There's a new conservative organization in Minnesota that's been formed to attempt to counter the political efforts of liberal groups such as Wellstone Action (or should that be Wellstone! Action or maybe Wellstone Action!), TakeAction Minnesota, etc.. It's called the Minnesota Academy for Conservative Leadership:
Minnesota Academy for Conservative Leadership is a 501(c)(4) political education and training organization dedicated to advancing the conservative movement in Minnesota through electoral politics. The Academy was created to meet the challenges that conservatives face here in Minnesota from the burgeoning amount of liberal grassroots organizations pouring millions of dollars to reverse the recent trend of conservative electoral victories.
Among others, the MACL board includes notable names such as Ronald Eibensteiner, Chris Georgacas, Brian LeClair, and former Congressman Vin Weber. They've even included the man least happy to pay for a better Minnesota, David Strom, head of the Taxpayer's League and bete noire of local liberals.
And they've got a campaign tactics seminar set up for this summer:
MACL's kick-off training seminar will be held July 21-23 in St. Paul. Open to conservative candidates, campaign leadership and activists, this training will combine intensive campaign tactics with issue breakout sessions, where attendees can get up-to-the-minute information on current issues facing Minnesota in the coming election.
You've probably heard about Camp Wellstone. Just wait 'til you get a load of Camp Strom. Make that Kamp Strom to really rile the local lefties.
Minnesota Academy for Conservative Leadership is a 501(c)(4) political education and training organization dedicated to advancing the conservative movement in Minnesota through electoral politics. The Academy was created to meet the challenges that conservatives face here in Minnesota from the burgeoning amount of liberal grassroots organizations pouring millions of dollars to reverse the recent trend of conservative electoral victories.
Among others, the MACL board includes notable names such as Ronald Eibensteiner, Chris Georgacas, Brian LeClair, and former Congressman Vin Weber. They've even included the man least happy to pay for a better Minnesota, David Strom, head of the Taxpayer's League and bete noire of local liberals.
And they've got a campaign tactics seminar set up for this summer:
MACL's kick-off training seminar will be held July 21-23 in St. Paul. Open to conservative candidates, campaign leadership and activists, this training will combine intensive campaign tactics with issue breakout sessions, where attendees can get up-to-the-minute information on current issues facing Minnesota in the coming election.
You've probably heard about Camp Wellstone. Just wait 'til you get a load of Camp Strom. Make that Kamp Strom to really rile the local lefties.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Eden Prairie Parks Not Safe?
Here
is the story I saw last night on channel 5 regarding the sad state of the parks in Eden Fuggin' Prairie.
Eden Prairie residents are becoming concerned about an increase in crime in area parks.
Residents near Nesbitt Park Preserve tell police teens from outside the community are causing problems such as fistfights and graffiti.
"It's almost like they take it over," says Ken Hallonquist of the Nesbitt Park Homeowners Association. "They almost kind of chase you away."
A crowd of nearly 20 youths caused a melee a few weeks ago. Police eventually arrested one young man threatening others with a baseball bat.
Not MPLS. Not even Hopkin(s). Eden Fuggin' Prairie. Not exactly what comes to mind when you think of roving packs of youts (Herman Muster to Joe Pesci in My Cousin Vinny: "Did you just say 'yout'?") brawling and grafitting a formally nice area.
If you read the small story you will find no details that give any clue to what is actually going on, but the piece last night did get into it. Eden Prairie is home to 700-800 Somali families who are running into problems with youts from MPLS who are apparently reverse-commuting to play basketball at the parks.
It is not clear if it is MPLS Somalis fighting Eden Prairie Somalis or MPLS blacks fighting Eden Prarie Somalis, but there has been a history of bad blood between the latter groups.
For whatever reason, American blacks and Somalis do not get along. Here is an article saying that the biggest problem Somalis are facing is not "Racism" from whites but rather discriminatory behavior by blacks.
"As a general trend, the two groups are having tensions," said Jacqueline Copeland-Carson, a scholar with the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and author of the book, "Creating Africa in America."
Mr. Doerue says his children were picked on and targeted simply because they speak differently.
Accents can also target immigrants as people less familiar with the system and thus more vulnerable to scams, robbery or attack.
Some of the 30 to 40 Somalian families in town have faced other hostilities from black Americans.
It would be interesting to hear from some Eden Prairie residents who have seen the park situation first hand because it sounds like things are out of control.
is the story I saw last night on channel 5 regarding the sad state of the parks in Eden Fuggin' Prairie.
Eden Prairie residents are becoming concerned about an increase in crime in area parks.
Residents near Nesbitt Park Preserve tell police teens from outside the community are causing problems such as fistfights and graffiti.
"It's almost like they take it over," says Ken Hallonquist of the Nesbitt Park Homeowners Association. "They almost kind of chase you away."
A crowd of nearly 20 youths caused a melee a few weeks ago. Police eventually arrested one young man threatening others with a baseball bat.
Not MPLS. Not even Hopkin(s). Eden Fuggin' Prairie. Not exactly what comes to mind when you think of roving packs of youts (Herman Muster to Joe Pesci in My Cousin Vinny: "Did you just say 'yout'?") brawling and grafitting a formally nice area.
If you read the small story you will find no details that give any clue to what is actually going on, but the piece last night did get into it. Eden Prairie is home to 700-800 Somali families who are running into problems with youts from MPLS who are apparently reverse-commuting to play basketball at the parks.
It is not clear if it is MPLS Somalis fighting Eden Prairie Somalis or MPLS blacks fighting Eden Prarie Somalis, but there has been a history of bad blood between the latter groups.
For whatever reason, American blacks and Somalis do not get along. Here is an article saying that the biggest problem Somalis are facing is not "Racism" from whites but rather discriminatory behavior by blacks.
"As a general trend, the two groups are having tensions," said Jacqueline Copeland-Carson, a scholar with the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and author of the book, "Creating Africa in America."
Mr. Doerue says his children were picked on and targeted simply because they speak differently.
Accents can also target immigrants as people less familiar with the system and thus more vulnerable to scams, robbery or attack.
Some of the 30 to 40 Somalian families in town have faced other hostilities from black Americans.
It would be interesting to hear from some Eden Prairie residents who have seen the park situation first hand because it sounds like things are out of control.
Appeasement In Our Time
Politicians, scientists, and writers fleeing Europe and coming to America to escape oppression and threats to their very lives? Sounds like 1938.
Try 2006. From today's WSJ (sub. required), Islamist Threats To Dutch Politician Bring Chill at Home:
Three weeks after a Dutch court ordered her out of the building in response to complaints from Mr. Verhagen and other residents, she resigned from Parliament and said she would leave Holland altogether. Her decision follows a cascade of problems: angry neighbors, a government threat to revoke her citizenship and, more generally, growing public disenchantment with her denunciations of both radical Islam and more conventional Muslim doctrines.
The travails of Ms. Hirsi Ali, 36 years old, raise questions about how Europe, seeking calm rather than confrontation, is grappling with the challenges posed by Islamic extremism in its midst. Born in Somalia and raised in Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Kenya, Ms. Hirsi Ali says the attitude of her neighbors smacks of World War II-style "appeasement." Others say they sympathize with her predicament but fault her for polarizing society with her attacks on Islamic custom as backward and incompatible with Western values.
Let me get this straight:
- Hirsi Ali says that Islam is backward and incompatible with Western values.
- As a result, Islamists threaten her with death, drive her underground, and eventually force her to leave the country, conclusively proving her original assertion.
- And now, SHE is criticized for "polarizing" society?
I fear for the future of Holland.
She's not the only one either:
Across Europe, dozens of people are now in hiding or under police protection because of threats from Muslim extremists. Dutch police say politicians reported 121 death threats last year. The number this year will likely be much higher. Geert Wilders, a right-wing member of parliament who also lives in a high-security apartment owned by the state, says he has received 120 menacing emails and letters since January. One of the latest reads: "Oh you cursed infidel! Don't think you are safe from our mighty organization....It is our wish to kill you by decapitation. Your infidel blood will flow freely on cursed Dutch streets!"
In Germany, several researchers, journalists and members of Parliament receive police protection because of threats by radical Muslims. Hans-Peter Raddatz, an Islamic-studies expert under police protection, recently moved to the U.S.
Flemming Rose, the culture editor of the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, is also mulling a move to America, at the urging of friends and security contacts. He set off a global storm by publishing cartoons of the prophet Muhammad. Twelve Danish cartoonists who drew the caricatures are staying out of public for fear of attack.
Mr. Rose complains that Europe is going wobbly. At the height of the cartoon furor in February, Danish businessmen who criticized their publication were denounced as traitors to free speech. Since then, a segment of the public, eager for a return to calm, has favored a more conciliatory approach toward Muslim anger, Mr. Rose says.
Peace (calm) at any price? It really is starting to sound like 1938 all over again.
Try 2006. From today's WSJ (sub. required), Islamist Threats To Dutch Politician Bring Chill at Home:
Three weeks after a Dutch court ordered her out of the building in response to complaints from Mr. Verhagen and other residents, she resigned from Parliament and said she would leave Holland altogether. Her decision follows a cascade of problems: angry neighbors, a government threat to revoke her citizenship and, more generally, growing public disenchantment with her denunciations of both radical Islam and more conventional Muslim doctrines.
The travails of Ms. Hirsi Ali, 36 years old, raise questions about how Europe, seeking calm rather than confrontation, is grappling with the challenges posed by Islamic extremism in its midst. Born in Somalia and raised in Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Kenya, Ms. Hirsi Ali says the attitude of her neighbors smacks of World War II-style "appeasement." Others say they sympathize with her predicament but fault her for polarizing society with her attacks on Islamic custom as backward and incompatible with Western values.
Let me get this straight:
- Hirsi Ali says that Islam is backward and incompatible with Western values.
- As a result, Islamists threaten her with death, drive her underground, and eventually force her to leave the country, conclusively proving her original assertion.
- And now, SHE is criticized for "polarizing" society?
I fear for the future of Holland.
She's not the only one either:
Across Europe, dozens of people are now in hiding or under police protection because of threats from Muslim extremists. Dutch police say politicians reported 121 death threats last year. The number this year will likely be much higher. Geert Wilders, a right-wing member of parliament who also lives in a high-security apartment owned by the state, says he has received 120 menacing emails and letters since January. One of the latest reads: "Oh you cursed infidel! Don't think you are safe from our mighty organization....It is our wish to kill you by decapitation. Your infidel blood will flow freely on cursed Dutch streets!"
In Germany, several researchers, journalists and members of Parliament receive police protection because of threats by radical Muslims. Hans-Peter Raddatz, an Islamic-studies expert under police protection, recently moved to the U.S.
Flemming Rose, the culture editor of the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, is also mulling a move to America, at the urging of friends and security contacts. He set off a global storm by publishing cartoons of the prophet Muhammad. Twelve Danish cartoonists who drew the caricatures are staying out of public for fear of attack.
Mr. Rose complains that Europe is going wobbly. At the height of the cartoon furor in February, Danish businessmen who criticized their publication were denounced as traitors to free speech. Since then, a segment of the public, eager for a return to calm, has favored a more conciliatory approach toward Muslim anger, Mr. Rose says.
Peace (calm) at any price? It really is starting to sound like 1938 all over again.
OutVoxed (again)
It seems like Vox Day has once again managed to stir up a quite a shiite storm. If you've been hiding under a rock lately and missed the fun, just go to his site and start scrolling through the many posts on the controversy.
I'm not going to get into a detailed debate on the matter, but I would like to offer a little advice to the hyperventilating critics who have been harrumphing and thumping their chests in righteous indignation for the last few days.
1. Read the WHOLE piece that started the scrum. If you want to disagree with the comparison Vox employed because you believe that it's not relevant or appropriate, feel free. But don't read more into the article than what he wrote and don't attribute motives or viewpoints to him that are not in evidence.
2. Consider the source. Vox is a master provocateur. He loves to say the things that you're not supposed to say and knows how to push peoples' buttons. Don't think for a moment that he didn't know that his article would elicit exactly this sort of response. He wanted it to and by reacting to what he wrote in the manner that you have, you're playing right into his game. He's laughing at your ill-conceived outrage.
3. Vox Day is not a Nazi. In fact, he's an uber-libertarian and may be the farthest thing from a National Socialist that you could imagine. He likely believes that the only proper role for government is national defense and, if there was a way for each citizen to have their own F-22, he'd probably abolish it entirely. You can accuse him of being tactless and crude at times, but calling him a Nazi only demonstrates your own ignorance.
That is all.
UPDATE-- Rose e-mails to advise:
WND has edited out the Nazi reference. You might want to post an update.
If you want to read the original, unedited version of the article that started the firestorm, you can still find it here.
I'm not going to get into a detailed debate on the matter, but I would like to offer a little advice to the hyperventilating critics who have been harrumphing and thumping their chests in righteous indignation for the last few days.
1. Read the WHOLE piece that started the scrum. If you want to disagree with the comparison Vox employed because you believe that it's not relevant or appropriate, feel free. But don't read more into the article than what he wrote and don't attribute motives or viewpoints to him that are not in evidence.
2. Consider the source. Vox is a master provocateur. He loves to say the things that you're not supposed to say and knows how to push peoples' buttons. Don't think for a moment that he didn't know that his article would elicit exactly this sort of response. He wanted it to and by reacting to what he wrote in the manner that you have, you're playing right into his game. He's laughing at your ill-conceived outrage.
3. Vox Day is not a Nazi. In fact, he's an uber-libertarian and may be the farthest thing from a National Socialist that you could imagine. He likely believes that the only proper role for government is national defense and, if there was a way for each citizen to have their own F-22, he'd probably abolish it entirely. You can accuse him of being tactless and crude at times, but calling him a Nazi only demonstrates your own ignorance.
That is all.
UPDATE-- Rose e-mails to advise:
WND has edited out the Nazi reference. You might want to post an update.
If you want to read the original, unedited version of the article that started the firestorm, you can still find it here.
"Okay ladies now grip the axe with your toes"
I was Googling for some info about a story on channel 5 last night about how parks in Eden Prairie (!) are not safe because of fights and came across a little gem about female firefighters.
Apparently a fire fightin' gal is trying to recruit more dames into the departments of Minnetonka, Bloomington, Chanhassen, Edina and Hopkin(s) by holding a Fire Service Expo on June 10.
But what of minor details like brute strength that women generally lack and is generally needed for the fighting of fires? Oh, that. Well, she's got a solution:
Female firefighters can do the job, Hanlon said, but they might use different techniques from male firefighters.
For example, using an axe to ventilate a burning building requires, from males, significant upper-body strength. But women can learn different ways to hold the axe and use strength from their lower body to do the same task, Hanlon said.
"We still have to do the job," Hanlon said, "but we can find other ways to do it."
Like holding the axe with their toes? (Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces: "I want you to hold it between your knees!")
Carrying an unconscious, 225 pound man from a burning building requires (from anyone) strength. Upper AND lower body strength. How would this fire fightin' gal suggest women approach this task? Perhaps they could grab an axe and (using lower body strength) chop the legs and arms off the victim making him easy to carry in pieces.
They still got the job done (they can sew the pieces on later) they just found another way to do it. It's the same thing.
But in case any of you MEN thinking about becoming firefighters were considering attending this fair, you are not welcome:
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 10.
Where: The fire training tower at 7252 Braemar Blvd., Edina.
For whom: Women who live or work in Eden Prairie, Edina, Bloomington, Minnetonka, Hopkins or Chanhassen who are considering becoming firefighters. This program is not open to men; males who wish to inquire about firefighting may do so at their local departments.
Apparently a fire fightin' gal is trying to recruit more dames into the departments of Minnetonka, Bloomington, Chanhassen, Edina and Hopkin(s) by holding a Fire Service Expo on June 10.
But what of minor details like brute strength that women generally lack and is generally needed for the fighting of fires? Oh, that. Well, she's got a solution:
Female firefighters can do the job, Hanlon said, but they might use different techniques from male firefighters.
For example, using an axe to ventilate a burning building requires, from males, significant upper-body strength. But women can learn different ways to hold the axe and use strength from their lower body to do the same task, Hanlon said.
"We still have to do the job," Hanlon said, "but we can find other ways to do it."
Like holding the axe with their toes? (Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces: "I want you to hold it between your knees!")
Carrying an unconscious, 225 pound man from a burning building requires (from anyone) strength. Upper AND lower body strength. How would this fire fightin' gal suggest women approach this task? Perhaps they could grab an axe and (using lower body strength) chop the legs and arms off the victim making him easy to carry in pieces.
They still got the job done (they can sew the pieces on later) they just found another way to do it. It's the same thing.
But in case any of you MEN thinking about becoming firefighters were considering attending this fair, you are not welcome:
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 10.
Where: The fire training tower at 7252 Braemar Blvd., Edina.
For whom: Women who live or work in Eden Prairie, Edina, Bloomington, Minnetonka, Hopkins or Chanhassen who are considering becoming firefighters. This program is not open to men; males who wish to inquire about firefighting may do so at their local departments.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Play Ball
Hugh Hewitt is a long suffering Cleveland Indians fan (all now pause to pity him). While the local nine have given the fans here in Minnesota very little to cheer about this year, I can't imagine the indignity of having to muster support every year for a team that hasn't won a World Series since the Truman administration. Add to that the fact that their current crew just got swept by the Kansas City Royals and you've got a fan base that is absolutely starved for nostalgia.
All of that pent up frustration must have been the compelling force behind Hugh's on-air plea last Thursday for an audio file of his beloved Tribe's futile attempt at capturing The Commissioner's Trophy in 1995. Since World Series rings are rarer in Cleveland than joy is in Mudville, I guess the next best thing for Hugh was the Indians' triumph over the Seattle Mariners in the A.L.C.S. eleven years ago.
This was the file I sent to him. He was not too pleased.
So, in the interest of restoring harmony with The Blogfather and forestalling his frequently irrational wrath, I present to Hugh...the Indians winning the '95 A.L. pennant
You're welcome.
All of that pent up frustration must have been the compelling force behind Hugh's on-air plea last Thursday for an audio file of his beloved Tribe's futile attempt at capturing The Commissioner's Trophy in 1995. Since World Series rings are rarer in Cleveland than joy is in Mudville, I guess the next best thing for Hugh was the Indians' triumph over the Seattle Mariners in the A.L.C.S. eleven years ago.
This was the file I sent to him. He was not too pleased.
So, in the interest of restoring harmony with The Blogfather and forestalling his frequently irrational wrath, I present to Hugh...the Indians winning the '95 A.L. pennant
You're welcome.
Miami Vice, Minnesota Nice
Survey looks at road rage across nation:
Stressed Miami drivers speed, tailgate and cut off other drivers so frequently that the city earned the title of worst road rage in a survey released Tuesday.
AutoVantage, an automobile membership club offering travel services and roadside assistance, also listed Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles and Boston among the top five cities for rude driving.
Minneapolis, Nashville, St. Louis, Seattle and Atlanta were rated as the cities with the most courteous drivers, who were less likely to change lanes without signaling or swear at other motorists.
Having driven in a number of cities around the United States, as well as a few in foreign countries, I would have to concur with the assessment on Miami drivers. I never experienced the rage as much as the complete disregard for any road rules and the utter lack of courtesy for other drivers. Driving in Miami is a Darwinian challenge and only the fittest survive.
Stressed Miami drivers speed, tailgate and cut off other drivers so frequently that the city earned the title of worst road rage in a survey released Tuesday.
AutoVantage, an automobile membership club offering travel services and roadside assistance, also listed Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles and Boston among the top five cities for rude driving.
Minneapolis, Nashville, St. Louis, Seattle and Atlanta were rated as the cities with the most courteous drivers, who were less likely to change lanes without signaling or swear at other motorists.
Having driven in a number of cities around the United States, as well as a few in foreign countries, I would have to concur with the assessment on Miami drivers. I never experienced the rage as much as the complete disregard for any road rules and the utter lack of courtesy for other drivers. Driving in Miami is a Darwinian challenge and only the fittest survive.
Book Drive
Got too many books and magazines cluttering up you house? Scott Johnson has a grand idea of how you can put them to better use:
Sergeant David Thul writes that he is serving with the Minnesota National Guard in Iraq. He asks a simple favor. If you have conservative books or magazines sitting around the house that you'd be willing to part with, he asks that you send them to him for his unit in Iraq. He says that the unit is short of reading material -- he read Sean Hannity's Let Freedom Ring about three months ago and it is still being passed around and read again. He says that books and magazines can be sent directly to the USO or to him:
SGT Dave Thul
Weapons Company 1-133
APO AE
09333-0000
It isn't enough that these brave soldiers are risking their lives in trying conditions to serve their country, they now also have to put up with reading Hannity? Our troops deserve better than this. Show how much you really support them by sending some spare reading material today. Some good reading material.
UPDATE-- Tim e-mails to inquire:
One question: If I sent my copy of "If It's Not Close They Can't Cheat" to the MN National Guard, would I receive thanks, or would I receive a knock at the door in the middle of the night and be the recipient of a blanket party?
Sergeant David Thul writes that he is serving with the Minnesota National Guard in Iraq. He asks a simple favor. If you have conservative books or magazines sitting around the house that you'd be willing to part with, he asks that you send them to him for his unit in Iraq. He says that the unit is short of reading material -- he read Sean Hannity's Let Freedom Ring about three months ago and it is still being passed around and read again. He says that books and magazines can be sent directly to the USO or to him:
SGT Dave Thul
Weapons Company 1-133
APO AE
09333-0000
It isn't enough that these brave soldiers are risking their lives in trying conditions to serve their country, they now also have to put up with reading Hannity? Our troops deserve better than this. Show how much you really support them by sending some spare reading material today. Some good reading material.
UPDATE-- Tim e-mails to inquire:
One question: If I sent my copy of "If It's Not Close They Can't Cheat" to the MN National Guard, would I receive thanks, or would I receive a knock at the door in the middle of the night and be the recipient of a blanket party?
Monday, May 15, 2006
Heartbreaker
Simpson's Episode 9F13 "I Love Lisa":
After Lisa gives Ralph a valentine out of pity, he falls for her. He invites her to the Krusty 29th Anniversary Show (Chief Wiggum got the tickets after "busting" Krusty at an adult movie explaining, "Krusty knows how to play ball") and, even though she thinks of him as nothing more than a pathetic paste eater, Lisa agrees to go with him. At the show, it all falls apart:
It's the dreaded "Talk with the audience" part. As Krusty wanders the audience in search of a victim, Lisa quietly pleads, "Oh no, don't show me with Ralph." Too late. Ralph professes his love for Lisa and promises to marry her when he grows up. Unable to stand it any longer, Lisa lets out a prolonged yell and adds, "I don't like you. I never liked you. And the only reason I gave you that valentine is that nobody else would!"
Watching a videotape of the incident, Bart narrates the scene frame-by-frame. "Watch this, Lis. You can actually pinpoint the second when his heart rips in half." He does so. Lisa covers her face.
I thought of that scene as I listened to Hugh Hewitt's show last night. After Bush's speech, Hugh was doing his darnedest to put the best possible face on it. And since the proposals were not big on specifics, they left some wiggle room for positive interpretation.
Then Hugh had Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Julie Myers on to follow up. He asked about her for details about what sort of fencing the President had in mind. She replied by rehashing the well-worn excuse, "If we build a fence, they'll just build tunnels."
Hugh was stunned, "staggered" is the word he uses to describe it, and momentarily fell silent. He came to back Myers again, unable to believe that she had really uttered those words. But she stood by them. We can't build a fence, we won't build a fence, stop talking about fences.
If you listen to the show again, you can actually pinpoint the second when Hugh's political heart rips in half.
After Lisa gives Ralph a valentine out of pity, he falls for her. He invites her to the Krusty 29th Anniversary Show (Chief Wiggum got the tickets after "busting" Krusty at an adult movie explaining, "Krusty knows how to play ball") and, even though she thinks of him as nothing more than a pathetic paste eater, Lisa agrees to go with him. At the show, it all falls apart:
It's the dreaded "Talk with the audience" part. As Krusty wanders the audience in search of a victim, Lisa quietly pleads, "Oh no, don't show me with Ralph." Too late. Ralph professes his love for Lisa and promises to marry her when he grows up. Unable to stand it any longer, Lisa lets out a prolonged yell and adds, "I don't like you. I never liked you. And the only reason I gave you that valentine is that nobody else would!"
Watching a videotape of the incident, Bart narrates the scene frame-by-frame. "Watch this, Lis. You can actually pinpoint the second when his heart rips in half." He does so. Lisa covers her face.
I thought of that scene as I listened to Hugh Hewitt's show last night. After Bush's speech, Hugh was doing his darnedest to put the best possible face on it. And since the proposals were not big on specifics, they left some wiggle room for positive interpretation.
Then Hugh had Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Julie Myers on to follow up. He asked about her for details about what sort of fencing the President had in mind. She replied by rehashing the well-worn excuse, "If we build a fence, they'll just build tunnels."
Hugh was stunned, "staggered" is the word he uses to describe it, and momentarily fell silent. He came to back Myers again, unable to believe that she had really uttered those words. But she stood by them. We can't build a fence, we won't build a fence, stop talking about fences.
If you listen to the show again, you can actually pinpoint the second when Hugh's political heart rips in half.
He Turned Me Into A Newt (supporter)
The idea of Newt Gingrich as a viable candidate for President in 2008 had always struck me as nothing more the Quixotic dream of people who spend too much time watching C-SPAN in their boxers. But after catching Newt's command performance on Meet The Press yesterday morning (full transcript here), I'm suddenly open to the possibility.
Gingrich appeared to be on top of his game. He was well-spoken, engaging, and thoughtful as he delivered a stinging critique of the Congressional GOP's drift from conservative principles along with a few well-aimed barbs at particular Bush administration policies. His attacks were not designed to bring down Republicans, but rather to prod them to actions more likely to help them retain power.
He also delivered a sterling defense of the decision to go to war in Iraq (it should be noted that he definitely has issues with the way the occupation has been handled):
Iraq has been painful, we have learned some very difficult lessons, we are better prepared today if we have to do something than we were four years ago. But if you were to say, again, because all of history is looking forward. I would--I read the--as you know I'm on the Defense Policy Board--and I went--I read the initial report, the 100-page report the president got. Knowing what the intelligence community--not in the U.S., in Russia, in France, in Italy, in Britain--knowing what they believed in 2003, it would have been irresponsible not to have eliminated Saddam's regime in 2003.
Every thrust by Russert was deftly parried by Gingrich, who calmly and confidently defended his own past actions, unabashedly defended conservative views, and articulated his positions in a manner sure to get the blood flowing among the most anemic members of the conservative base.
Gingrich is in the unique position of being a Republican insider who's been outsider long enough to avoid being negatively associated with the party's recent struggles. He harkens back to the "good ol' days" of the Nineties when conservative Republicans could still be proud of the party's control of Congress.
He does carry some baggage with him of course and I don't know how "electable" he'd be in a national race, but when you listen to him and then consider the alternatives, a "Gingrich in 2008" campaign starts looking awfully appealing. And realistic.
Gingrich himself remains coy on the subject:
MR. RUSSERT: But you're not, you're not ruling out running?
MR. GINGRICH: I'm not ruling out running, but I'm also saying we have real things to do in '06. We have real things to do in '07. And it'll be nice to have a couple of years of talking about solutions, not just talking about ambitions.
But I don't think he's running around Iowa because he likes to collect feed hats. Run Newt run.
UPDATE: Kurt at Writing History was already on the bandwagon.
Gingrich appeared to be on top of his game. He was well-spoken, engaging, and thoughtful as he delivered a stinging critique of the Congressional GOP's drift from conservative principles along with a few well-aimed barbs at particular Bush administration policies. His attacks were not designed to bring down Republicans, but rather to prod them to actions more likely to help them retain power.
He also delivered a sterling defense of the decision to go to war in Iraq (it should be noted that he definitely has issues with the way the occupation has been handled):
Iraq has been painful, we have learned some very difficult lessons, we are better prepared today if we have to do something than we were four years ago. But if you were to say, again, because all of history is looking forward. I would--I read the--as you know I'm on the Defense Policy Board--and I went--I read the initial report, the 100-page report the president got. Knowing what the intelligence community--not in the U.S., in Russia, in France, in Italy, in Britain--knowing what they believed in 2003, it would have been irresponsible not to have eliminated Saddam's regime in 2003.
Every thrust by Russert was deftly parried by Gingrich, who calmly and confidently defended his own past actions, unabashedly defended conservative views, and articulated his positions in a manner sure to get the blood flowing among the most anemic members of the conservative base.
Gingrich is in the unique position of being a Republican insider who's been outsider long enough to avoid being negatively associated with the party's recent struggles. He harkens back to the "good ol' days" of the Nineties when conservative Republicans could still be proud of the party's control of Congress.
He does carry some baggage with him of course and I don't know how "electable" he'd be in a national race, but when you listen to him and then consider the alternatives, a "Gingrich in 2008" campaign starts looking awfully appealing. And realistic.
Gingrich himself remains coy on the subject:
MR. RUSSERT: But you're not, you're not ruling out running?
MR. GINGRICH: I'm not ruling out running, but I'm also saying we have real things to do in '06. We have real things to do in '07. And it'll be nice to have a couple of years of talking about solutions, not just talking about ambitions.
But I don't think he's running around Iowa because he likes to collect feed hats. Run Newt run.
UPDATE: Kurt at Writing History was already on the bandwagon.
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