"The Daily Show" Does the Speaker's Race February 4, 2011 – Look, I enjoy making fun of Texas Republicans as much as the next libr’l citizen of the People’s Republic of Austin. but this is a long stretch for a joke. Several points: 1) Joe Strauss had to fight for re-election primarily because he is not as conservative as the Tea Party red meaters he now serves with, and because he has not ruled with an iron fist. In other words, a few people saw a guy they didn’t like anyway and added his religion to the baggage they believed…
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Republicans Vote To Repeal Obama-Backed Bill That Would Destroy … (The Onion) February 2, 2011 Search begins for new head of NPR News February 2, 2011 – Pick me. Pick me. Architecture speak: An essay on the ridiculous way architects talk. February 2, 2011 – I once served on a city board with a bunch of architects. I didn’t get the jargon thing so much as a sort of weird mixture of professional poise and artsy spaciness. Architects, especially in a group, are weird.
Tea Party Democrats? Claire McCaskill and other senators get bullish on the deficit. February 2, 2011 – McCaskill is a genuine reformer; has been since she got elected. She’s been working on reform of the military contracting proces, systemic campaign finance reform, and a meaningful process for cutting the deficit and the debt. Reid is doing the Dem version of the kind of political line-drawing that Republicans have used so effectively to establish their conservative bonafides. Even in the few cases that McCaskill has taken positions I don’t personally agree with, I have found her to be much less prone…
Narcissus Regards a Book – The Chronicle Review – The Chronicle of Higher Education February 1, 2011 Shelly’s Podcast: 1-31-11 (voicemail: 512-394-4624) January 31, 2011 8 Essential Longform Reads About Egypt January 30, 2011 Fernet For Life January 27, 2011
Coverage of Egypt tainted by America's narcissism January 31, 2011 – This is sort of snarky and jumbly, and makes some good points, even if they are obscured by the tone. What I would like to see from American coverage of Egypt is some reporting on what our government is likely doing behind the scenes. Heck, I would be satisfied with some acknowledgement that public statements aimed at the American public are far less consequential than the actual work of diplomacy, military communication, and intelligence-gathering.
All-time greatest Oscar heists January 28, 2011 The Envelope Please…. January 29, 2011 – I like to point out the limitations of blogging/new media when I see them. I also like to point out its strengths. Here is an awesome feature that would never, ever apear in your local newspaper. But it’s great. Beer News: Jester King Grand Opening This Weekend January 28, 2011
Governor Rick Perry Urges Republican Voters to Abandon Public Schools January 28, 2011 – I am speechless. There is amazing stuff all through here. But here is my very favorite part: ” Do we really need free school bus service, Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, ESL, special needs and enrichment programs like music, art or math Olympiad? I think we should get back to the basics of the three Rs, reading writing and arithmetic” Even if you aren’t a fan of the out-of-control budget juggernaut that IS Black History month, are you actually suggesting we should…
Blind Orangutan Gives Birth To Twins In Indonesia (PHOTOS) January 27, 2011 – I am sincerely confused. What am I missing here? Is the news that the mother is blind, or that she had twins? Because blind mother orangoutangs can’t see where to drop their babies…or whut? Atlas chugged: The Black Star Co-op experience January 27, 2011 – Black Star is great, and despite the Atlas Shrugged (huh?) references I do get, and the TV personality ones I don’t, this is a good review. Kim Clijsters Beats Vera Zvonareva, To Play Li Na In Australian Open Final January 27, 2011…
Benetech Announces New Accessible e-Book Reader for Apple iOS devices… January 26, 2011 Courts Judge Rules White Girl Will Be Tried As Black Adult | The Onion – America's Finest News Source | Onion News Network January 26, 2011
Democrats and Republicans may sit together for Obama's speech, but partisanship won't budge. January 25, 2011 – I’m your classic Mr. Smith Goest to Washington/GooGoo type, and so I like the idea of our lawmakers sitting together at the SOTU. But honestly, the main thing we’ll get tonight is a frenzy of camera-shots and media commentary about facial expressions and body language. Think awards show or high-profile criminal court case. Study: Men are distracted by attractive news anchors January 25, 2011 – Wait, REALLY? Keith Olbermann's MSNBC Exit, Presented In Glorious Taiwanese Animation (VIDEO) January 24, 2011 Report: George W.…