To be ‘appalled’ implies a degree of moral outrage combined with being surprised. I cannot say, therefore, that I am appalled at what is happening with people discussing health care reform — because quite frankly, I expected the debate to… Continue Reading
In a word, it’s because even though the host and his writers are all overtly liberal-with-libertarian leanings, if you go on the show, you get a fair chance to express yourself in your own words. Yes, it’s a comedy show… Continue Reading
A group of nonbelievers in Des Moines, the Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers (“IAF”), took out out some advertisements for the sides of busses run by the Des Moines Area Rapid Transit District (“DART”). The advertisements looked like this: DART received… Continue Reading
Just because you disagree with the Democrats’ proposal about health care reform does not make you a Nazi. No one is wearing swastikas to town hall meetings, Madam Speaker. Reductio ad Hitlerum does not sit on you very well. The… Continue Reading
By a vote of 68-31, the United States Supreme Court is back up to its full roster of nine Justices. Sonia Sotomayor has attained the pinnacle of the American legal profession, and all of the Republican hand-wringing about her didn’t… Continue Reading
Let’s say that deficit spending is like speeding while driving. You shouldn’t be doing it at all, but sometimes maybe you just can’t help yourself. George W. Bush was a leadfoot. So was Ronald Reagan and George Bush the Elder… Continue Reading
I found another free book for download on my Kindle: Weapons of Choice. It’s apparently the first of three books in an alternative-history trilogy that has acquired a cult following by an Aussie journalist named John Birmingham. The idea is… Continue Reading
I’ve been really, really busy with that trial so I haven’t done a ton of writing here these past several days. But I look back on the news of this week and last, and I see a lot of hand-wringing… Continue Reading
The bad news is, I need to find some more work to fill up my billable hour dance card. But that’s a problem I don’t mind having at all. After getting seriously bummed and stressed out about my upcoming jury… Continue Reading
Bearing in mind the biases of its author, this Juan Cole essay is nevertheless interesting in its analysis of populist politics. The point is that there are substantial similarities between the political tactics, strategy, appeal, and goals of Sarah Palin… Continue Reading