December 05, 2008
Ziegler vs. Silver, Part 37
A show called The B Cast has an episode in which John Ziegler and Nate Silver debate Ziegler's recent polls that Ziegler claims prove Obama supporters are not well-informed about some of the negative aspects of Obama's past (e.g. Ayers, Wright, etc.). The episode is quite long, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. The bickering is kind of hilarious.
An interesting note on Ziegler: he was profiled in The Atlantic by David Foster Wallace in April of 2005. "Host," the profile, was later included in Ira Glass' The New Kings of Non-Fiction. I really enjoyed the descriptions of why he is a fantastic talk-radio host.
An interesting note on Ziegler: he was profiled in The Atlantic by David Foster Wallace in April of 2005. "Host," the profile, was later included in Ira Glass' The New Kings of Non-Fiction. I really enjoyed the descriptions of why he is a fantastic talk-radio host.
Animals!
None of these deserve their own post, so I decided to do a list of links. Enjoy.
The Pug Head Tilt.
The stealth cat.
Panda sneeze.
Laser kitty.
Octopus escaping through a one-inch hole.
Cute puppy howling.
Panda escape.
Raccoon steals carpet.
Best friends (duckling and puppy).
Cat eats with fork and chopsticks.
Tired cat one.
Tired cat two.
Sleepy bear in China.
Pathetic baby panda.
Puppies vs. cat.
Christian the Lion.
Jessica the Hippo.
That's all for now. My main goal was to ensure that I was not regularly posting animal videos, which can become quite annoying for the recipients. Congratulations to anyone who makes it through all of these.
The Pug Head Tilt.
The stealth cat.
Panda sneeze.
Laser kitty.
Octopus escaping through a one-inch hole.
Cute puppy howling.
Panda escape.
Raccoon steals carpet.
Best friends (duckling and puppy).
Cat eats with fork and chopsticks.
Tired cat one.
Tired cat two.
Sleepy bear in China.
Pathetic baby panda.
Puppies vs. cat.
Christian the Lion.
Jessica the Hippo.
That's all for now. My main goal was to ensure that I was not regularly posting animal videos, which can become quite annoying for the recipients. Congratulations to anyone who makes it through all of these.
As if the world didn't hate the US enough...
Well done, Burger King. Finally we can have those who have no frame of reference when it comes to hamburgers tell us which fast food brand they would buy if presented the opportunity (and enough money to make it worthwhile to spend a few dollars on US junk food). This is like having Nell judge an intellectual debate and claiming that because she can't speak English she is an impartial judge. Even if one ignores the annoying paternalism of this ad campaign it is impossible to ignore the waste that went into the production of these ads and the documentary that will premiere in a few days. Bragging about the use of "13 planes, 2 dogsleds, and 1 helicopter," comes across as ignorant and irresponsible in a time of economic difficulties and a looming energy crisis. All of that said, I hope the Whopper wins.
A Little Overzealous
Dear Missouri,
We know you feel bad. You've gotten it right all but twice since 1900, and the second time you got it wrong, it was against our generation's JFK or FDR or Jesus. That's a pretty big screw up, and we know you want to make it up.
This time, however, I think you've gone a little too far. Now, I like Barack Obama. I think he's a cool guy. And St. Louis has a decent tradition of naming stuff after presidents, like Washington University and the terribly-named Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (better known as "The Arch"). But I don't think that already naming streets for Barack Obama, let alone streets that are (1) pivotal in my life and (2) named by some crazies as one of the 10 best streets in America is the answer. I mean, you can't even say he's a better president than George W. Bush. So let's chill on the accolades and let him try governing first.
Sincerely,
Everyone except Chris Matthews
We know you feel bad. You've gotten it right all but twice since 1900, and the second time you got it wrong, it was against our generation's JFK or FDR or Jesus. That's a pretty big screw up, and we know you want to make it up.
This time, however, I think you've gone a little too far. Now, I like Barack Obama. I think he's a cool guy. And St. Louis has a decent tradition of naming stuff after presidents, like Washington University and the terribly-named Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (better known as "The Arch"). But I don't think that already naming streets for Barack Obama, let alone streets that are (1) pivotal in my life and (2) named by some crazies as one of the 10 best streets in America is the answer. I mean, you can't even say he's a better president than George W. Bush. So let's chill on the accolades and let him try governing first.
Sincerely,
Everyone except Chris Matthews
Online shopping
I am curious to find out what websites you all use to shop online. Here's my list:
BookFinder.com
Overstock.com
PriceGrabber.com
BigLots.com
Woot.com (and Wine.woot and Shirt.woot)
I also use CurrentCodes.com to seek out coupons and discounts before making any purchases. I have had great experiences with BookFinder, particularly when searching for textbooks. Overstock isn't fabulous, but it can be good. I don't know PriceGrabber and BigLots well, but have heard good things.
BookFinder.com
Overstock.com
PriceGrabber.com
BigLots.com
Woot.com (and Wine.woot and Shirt.woot)
I also use CurrentCodes.com to seek out coupons and discounts before making any purchases. I have had great experiences with BookFinder, particularly when searching for textbooks. Overstock isn't fabulous, but it can be good. I don't know PriceGrabber and BigLots well, but have heard good things.
December 04, 2008
Interesting Article
Also in reference to Colbert...written by a guest he had the other night.
Jeffrey Goldberg's The Things He Carried
It's a great article. In my "line of work" we often use airports as the benchmark for effective security. In reality, this just is not the case. We need a new approach to security, not these ineffective band aids implemented to make the general public feel better. Rather, security has to be a state of mind, embraced by all. And then maybe we can free up some of those funds for better intelligence...
Jeffrey Goldberg's The Things He Carried
It's a great article. In my "line of work" we often use airports as the benchmark for effective security. In reality, this just is not the case. We need a new approach to security, not these ineffective band aids implemented to make the general public feel better. Rather, security has to be a state of mind, embraced by all. And then maybe we can free up some of those funds for better intelligence...
Liberal media hypocrisy
So I don't know if you guys watch The Daily Show and Colbert Report as religiously as I do, but if you didn't see it you should check out last night's episode on comedycentral.com.
Firstly, there was a great, funny but half-serious Stewart/John Oliver bit about the Mumbai attacks. Just worth watching.
But then, Ariana Huffington was the guest, proving what I knew from previous interviews with her but always manage to forget: Bitch is crazy. Just crazy accent (not her doing, obviously, just adds to the effect), crazy mannerisms, crazy awkward quasi-flirting with Jon. The whole segment is essentially her call for everyone to "blog your secret passions" and, rather than mulling over and refining your random thoughts before putting them out in the world, immediately posting them on the internet. And using it to form intimate relationships without that pesky face-to-face contact. Not what I want to read, but I guess I have no real problem with people doing that, but if that's what the head of The Huffington Post considers the standard, my respect for it has lowered considerably.
But that's just her wackiness. The part I'm really pissed off at this: The night or two previous, Jon had done a great segment comparing MSNBC to Fox News (kind of obvious, but still funny and worth checking out). Chris Matthews is Bill O'Reilly, Joe Scarborough is Combs, etc., including Keith Olbermann as Sean Hannity ("partisan ideologue who fears for the world if it's in any way touched by the hands of his political enemies"). So Ariana was clearly offended by it and says something to the effect of "liberal bloggers are blogging very angrily about that." Jon seems genuinely surprised ("don't people have better things to do?"), as was I: I mean, it was a comedy bit, right? So I went to HuffPo to check it out, and indeed, people are mighty pissed that Jon defiled their god, Olbermann, but putting him the same sentence with the devil, Hannity.
I hate Hannity as much as anyone - more for being an ignorant asshole than a conservative - and I tend to agree with Olbermann's positions more often, but Jon's assessment was correct: they're both over-the-top partisan ideologues. And this is the part that pisses me off: All over liberal blogs, especially HuffPo, and even in real-life conversation, I hear people blasting Bill O'Reilly, Fox, & Co. for their spin tactics, selective information, and misleading, out-of-context quotations, and lauding Olbermann as a hero. He's exactly the same, just on the other side. It frustrates me to no end that these people hide behind the argument of journalistic integrity, when that's clearly not what's important to them - it just sounds better than "he's a jerk whom I disagree with."
Ok, sorry, this has turned into a rant. But I find lack of logic among the people I agree with much more frightening than any amount of power, misinformation, or pure evil in the hands of those I don't.
Firstly, there was a great, funny but half-serious Stewart/John Oliver bit about the Mumbai attacks. Just worth watching.
But then, Ariana Huffington was the guest, proving what I knew from previous interviews with her but always manage to forget: Bitch is crazy. Just crazy accent (not her doing, obviously, just adds to the effect), crazy mannerisms, crazy awkward quasi-flirting with Jon. The whole segment is essentially her call for everyone to "blog your secret passions" and, rather than mulling over and refining your random thoughts before putting them out in the world, immediately posting them on the internet. And using it to form intimate relationships without that pesky face-to-face contact. Not what I want to read, but I guess I have no real problem with people doing that, but if that's what the head of The Huffington Post considers the standard, my respect for it has lowered considerably.
But that's just her wackiness. The part I'm really pissed off at this: The night or two previous, Jon had done a great segment comparing MSNBC to Fox News (kind of obvious, but still funny and worth checking out). Chris Matthews is Bill O'Reilly, Joe Scarborough is Combs, etc., including Keith Olbermann as Sean Hannity ("partisan ideologue who fears for the world if it's in any way touched by the hands of his political enemies"). So Ariana was clearly offended by it and says something to the effect of "liberal bloggers are blogging very angrily about that." Jon seems genuinely surprised ("don't people have better things to do?"), as was I: I mean, it was a comedy bit, right? So I went to HuffPo to check it out, and indeed, people are mighty pissed that Jon defiled their god, Olbermann, but putting him the same sentence with the devil, Hannity.
I hate Hannity as much as anyone - more for being an ignorant asshole than a conservative - and I tend to agree with Olbermann's positions more often, but Jon's assessment was correct: they're both over-the-top partisan ideologues. And this is the part that pisses me off: All over liberal blogs, especially HuffPo, and even in real-life conversation, I hear people blasting Bill O'Reilly, Fox, & Co. for their spin tactics, selective information, and misleading, out-of-context quotations, and lauding Olbermann as a hero. He's exactly the same, just on the other side. It frustrates me to no end that these people hide behind the argument of journalistic integrity, when that's clearly not what's important to them - it just sounds better than "he's a jerk whom I disagree with."
Ok, sorry, this has turned into a rant. But I find lack of logic among the people I agree with much more frightening than any amount of power, misinformation, or pure evil in the hands of those I don't.
King of Kong
Saw this movie again last night. Didn't like it the first time - not sure why. It was great the second time. I think maybe some of you saw it. It's a documentary about the Donkey Kong high score record and I thought it was a scripted mockumentary for a while, but it's all true. Anyway, aside from that I saw that one of the guys in the film broke 16 arcade video game records in one day in 2007. That is just amazing.
Beards!
I highly recommend everyone check out the slightly disturbing Daily Beast article that includes a gallery of Obama with beards of different styles.
And for those of you uninformed on the matter of beards I submit The World Beard and Moustache Championships.
And for those of you uninformed on the matter of beards I submit The World Beard and Moustache Championships.
Quick Links
Life is putting a whole bunch of pictures on Google. Some say these pictures are "important" or "historical."
Minnesota recount data. With 98.67% recounted, Franken leads Coleman 1,188,736 to 1,177,465. In my mind this is a lead of 11,271 votes, but since no media outlet is reporting it that way, I must be missing something.
Presidential portrait morph. Exactly what it sounds like.
Eisenhower's Wiki article. Random, I know, but I'm reading it. Did you know his grandson married Nixon's daughter? Because I didn't.
There's lots of cute animals on the internet, but this is the most endearing thing I've ever seen involving pets.
Minnesota recount data. With 98.67% recounted, Franken leads Coleman 1,188,736 to 1,177,465. In my mind this is a lead of 11,271 votes, but since no media outlet is reporting it that way, I must be missing something.
Presidential portrait morph. Exactly what it sounds like.
Eisenhower's Wiki article. Random, I know, but I'm reading it. Did you know his grandson married Nixon's daughter? Because I didn't.
There's lots of cute animals on the internet, but this is the most endearing thing I've ever seen involving pets.
December 03, 2008
Fairness Doctrine
A little anti-climactic here ... I just read an article or two about it (one was in the LA Times) and it seems this is largely the right wing presenting a straw man in which they try to scare their audience with these terrible things the Democrats will do that they really don't seem too interested in (although the LAT article did say Chuck Schumer was for it - eww.)
Why do we have the USPS?
(Wiki - USPS)
Excuse me if my thoughts are disorganized.
OK, so according to Wiki, USPS is the 3rd-largest employer in the United States (I thought it was first). While there are of course costs to the sender of a regular piece of first-class mail, the essential mission of the USPS is to provide daily delivery of mail to every U.S. citizen for free.
This doesn't make any sense.
Let me put it another way. If you had to pay the actual cost to receive your mail every day, would you? For most people, three times a week would probably be plenty.
And then there's another issue. Let's imagine Mike in Montana who lives five miles from his nearest neighbor, and Nick from New York City who lives in a 50-story high rise. Let's assume that every American in the country receives daily mail service except these two. What is the cost facing the postal service to start delivering to Mike? To Nick? It's clearly ludicrous that these two have the same access to mail delivery for the same price.
Now, I'll be honest - a lot of my frustration has come from the fact that clearly taxpayers are paying a huge price for this service to which many are probably indifferent (at least in terms of getting mail 1-3 times a week instead of six). The Wiki article, however, seems to imply that it operates independently of the government, although this was also true of Fannie and Freddie, in that no taxpayer money went directly into the company, but that taxpayers implicitly held responsibilities if their liabilities got out of hand, which is exactly what happened. So I don't know to what extent it is the case that we all have to subsidize this service, but what I do know is that it is by government mandate that USPS, no matter how private or public it is, must deliver mail every day, and that from a cost-benefit perspective, this is clearly ludicrous.
I hope this ended up cohesive, albeit rambly and lacking a conclusion.
PS - I understand, and am not opposed to, government-guaranteed mail service for the 19th century and even parts of the 20th. Also, I guess in the back of my mind when I think about this stuff is "for what reason is it better to have USPS do Task X than to have FedEx or UPS do it?"
Excuse me if my thoughts are disorganized.
OK, so according to Wiki, USPS is the 3rd-largest employer in the United States (I thought it was first). While there are of course costs to the sender of a regular piece of first-class mail, the essential mission of the USPS is to provide daily delivery of mail to every U.S. citizen for free.
This doesn't make any sense.
Let me put it another way. If you had to pay the actual cost to receive your mail every day, would you? For most people, three times a week would probably be plenty.
And then there's another issue. Let's imagine Mike in Montana who lives five miles from his nearest neighbor, and Nick from New York City who lives in a 50-story high rise. Let's assume that every American in the country receives daily mail service except these two. What is the cost facing the postal service to start delivering to Mike? To Nick? It's clearly ludicrous that these two have the same access to mail delivery for the same price.
Now, I'll be honest - a lot of my frustration has come from the fact that clearly taxpayers are paying a huge price for this service to which many are probably indifferent (at least in terms of getting mail 1-3 times a week instead of six). The Wiki article, however, seems to imply that it operates independently of the government, although this was also true of Fannie and Freddie, in that no taxpayer money went directly into the company, but that taxpayers implicitly held responsibilities if their liabilities got out of hand, which is exactly what happened. So I don't know to what extent it is the case that we all have to subsidize this service, but what I do know is that it is by government mandate that USPS, no matter how private or public it is, must deliver mail every day, and that from a cost-benefit perspective, this is clearly ludicrous.
I hope this ended up cohesive, albeit rambly and lacking a conclusion.
PS - I understand, and am not opposed to, government-guaranteed mail service for the 19th century and even parts of the 20th. Also, I guess in the back of my mind when I think about this stuff is "for what reason is it better to have USPS do Task X than to have FedEx or UPS do it?"
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
"Swedish researchers presented evidence that the brain, when tricked by optical and sensory illusions, can quickly adopt any other human form, no matter how different, as its own."
Basically, they use VR and the power of suggestion to "trick" people into believing they're in another body - to the point that the subjects actually flinch when the external body is poked.
Pretty cool.
Basically, they use VR and the power of suggestion to "trick" people into believing they're in another body - to the point that the subjects actually flinch when the external body is poked.
Pretty cool.
Best reporting ever.
Apparently it is not hard for one to steal skyscrapers in New York (at least temporarily). Seriously. The Daily News stole the Empire State Building in about an hour and a half.
Well done, shitty newspaper.
Well done, shitty newspaper.
The Big Three Killed My Baby
Reason 8,756 I love The White Stripes: Occasionally topical songs! (Very rare, as Jack White doesn't believe in political music as an effective means of creating change.)
"The Big Three Killed My Baby" is a song that rips into the Big Three, with some fairly entertaining lines like, "Better ideas are stuck in the mud," and, "Don't let 'em tell you the future's electric/ 'cause gasoline's not measured in metric."
If you would like the song just email me.
Lyrics:
The big three killed my baby
No money in my hand again
The big three killed my baby
Nobodys coming home again
Their ideas make me wanna spit
A hundred dollars goes down the pit
Thirty-thousand wheels a rollin
And my stick shift hands are swollen
Everything involved is shady
The big three killed my baby yeah yeah yeah
The big three killed my baby
No money in my hand again
The big three killed my baby
Nobodys comin home again
Why don't cha take the day off and try to repair
A billion others don't seem to care
Better ideas are stuck in the mud
The motor's runnin on tucker's blood
Don't let 'em tell you the future's electric
'cause gasoline's not measured in metric
Thirty-thousand wheels a spinnin
And oil company faces are grinnin
And now my hand are turnin red
And i found out my baby is dead yeah yeah yeah
The big three killed my baby
No money in my hand again
The big three killed my baby
Nobody's comin home again
Well i've said it now
Nothings changed
People are burnin for pocket change
And creative minds are lazy
And the big three killed my baby yeah yeah yeah
And my baby's my common sense
So don't think im puttin up some esense
And my baby's my common sense
Yeah im about to have another blow up (2x)
"The Big Three Killed My Baby" is a song that rips into the Big Three, with some fairly entertaining lines like, "Better ideas are stuck in the mud," and, "Don't let 'em tell you the future's electric/ 'cause gasoline's not measured in metric."
If you would like the song just email me.
Lyrics:
The big three killed my baby
No money in my hand again
The big three killed my baby
Nobodys coming home again
Their ideas make me wanna spit
A hundred dollars goes down the pit
Thirty-thousand wheels a rollin
And my stick shift hands are swollen
Everything involved is shady
The big three killed my baby yeah yeah yeah
The big three killed my baby
No money in my hand again
The big three killed my baby
Nobodys comin home again
Why don't cha take the day off and try to repair
A billion others don't seem to care
Better ideas are stuck in the mud
The motor's runnin on tucker's blood
Don't let 'em tell you the future's electric
'cause gasoline's not measured in metric
Thirty-thousand wheels a spinnin
And oil company faces are grinnin
And now my hand are turnin red
And i found out my baby is dead yeah yeah yeah
The big three killed my baby
No money in my hand again
The big three killed my baby
Nobody's comin home again
Well i've said it now
Nothings changed
People are burnin for pocket change
And creative minds are lazy
And the big three killed my baby yeah yeah yeah
And my baby's my common sense
So don't think im puttin up some esense
And my baby's my common sense
Yeah im about to have another blow up (2x)
The big three
This is the best source of information on whether or not the big three should be bailed out that I have seen.
Hillary's next battle.
Apparently Hillary Clinton will always be fighting an uphill battle in politics. This time it is because the salary for the Secretary of State was increased while Hilary was serving in the Senate, which, according to the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, makes her ineligible for the SoS position. Apparently Nixon ran into this and got around it, but his solution doesn't look feasible in this case.
December 02, 2008
oh GREAT
Chambliss Wins Georgia Senate Runoff
Saxby Chambliss, an incumbent Republican senator, was
re-elected by Georgia voters on Tuesday in a substantial
victory, ending Democratic hopes for a 60-vote majority in
the Senate that would make it difficult for Republicans to
filibuster the Obama administration's legislative agenda.
Saxby Chambliss, an incumbent Republican senator, was
re-elected by Georgia voters on Tuesday in a substantial
victory, ending Democratic hopes for a 60-vote majority in
the Senate that would make it difficult for Republicans to
filibuster the Obama administration's legislative agenda.
Interesting Article on Fatal Internet Security Flaw
One can only imagine how much time hacker-types spend fantasizing about everything from wizards to French maids. But imagine being a hacker who found a way to more-or-less take control of the entire internet. One who found a flaw so critical, so fundamental, he could easily get into the email and back account of anyone he wanted, to redirect any internet request as he saw fit.
This is the story of Dan Kaminsky.
This is the story of Dan Kaminsky.
Presidential Pardons
This article, about Eric Holder's involvement in the Marc Rich pardon, reminded me of a question I've often pondered:
Why the hell do Presidential pardons even exist anymore?
Why the hell do Presidential pardons even exist anymore?
December 01, 2008
Not All Limbaughs Are Crazy, But More Than One Is
This Thanksgiving I was down in Jackson, MO, enjoying my grandparents' company and a lovely meal. After Friday breakfast my grandmother handed me a column from the Southeastern Missourian to read, and once the whole table's interest had been piqued, I read it aloud.
It's by David Limbaugh, brother of Rush. Their whole family is from Cape Girardeau, MO, where I was born. You'll all be glad to know that my grandmother informs me that Rush Limbaugh's grandfather, a prominent member of the southeast Missouri community, was both a scholar and a gentleman and would be rolling in his grave if he had half an idea what kind of hate his spawn is spewing.
Anyway, I guess I just wanted to point this article out because it is particularly appalling (and thus worth a read for those with tolerant stomachs), and it also led me to learn that the Limbaugh family is not entirely scum.
It's by David Limbaugh, brother of Rush. Their whole family is from Cape Girardeau, MO, where I was born. You'll all be glad to know that my grandmother informs me that Rush Limbaugh's grandfather, a prominent member of the southeast Missouri community, was both a scholar and a gentleman and would be rolling in his grave if he had half an idea what kind of hate his spawn is spewing.
Anyway, I guess I just wanted to point this article out because it is particularly appalling (and thus worth a read for those with tolerant stomachs), and it also led me to learn that the Limbaugh family is not entirely scum.
The new security team
A comparison of the new:
And the old:
Clinton clearly did not get the message that the gravity of state security issues must be met with a firm gravitas that is, preferably, so strong that one can only look at one's own feet. Maybe she missed the memo about shortsightedness; maybe this is the first in a long line of changes to come. Let's hope for the latter.
And the old:
Clinton clearly did not get the message that the gravity of state security issues must be met with a firm gravitas that is, preferably, so strong that one can only look at one's own feet. Maybe she missed the memo about shortsightedness; maybe this is the first in a long line of changes to come. Let's hope for the latter.
Netflix gets more awesome
OK, so I know that the Xbox 360 is not likely to be common hardware among our crowd, but I figured I'd share this nonetheless. When I got on mine the other day (I'm not a big video game player, but I got it on the cheap) I noticed that Xbox Live was doing a cross-promotion thing with Netflix.
So basically the way it works is the movies available for "Instant Watch" I can now watch on the Xbox. I'm excited about this because while instant watch is available for your computer, connecting mine to the TV is kind of a pain, and so I don't really make much of use of it.
The downside: not that many titles are available yet and I did have to buy an Xbox Gold membership ($50 a year allows you to play online - a ripoff, sure, but hey, now I can play Netflix movies and I can play sports games with my friends). And one other thing, which is kind of stupid but mostly hilarious: Mark informs me that Sony Pictures titles are not available for viewing through the Xbox.
So basically the way it works is the movies available for "Instant Watch" I can now watch on the Xbox. I'm excited about this because while instant watch is available for your computer, connecting mine to the TV is kind of a pain, and so I don't really make much of use of it.
The downside: not that many titles are available yet and I did have to buy an Xbox Gold membership ($50 a year allows you to play online - a ripoff, sure, but hey, now I can play Netflix movies and I can play sports games with my friends). And one other thing, which is kind of stupid but mostly hilarious: Mark informs me that Sony Pictures titles are not available for viewing through the Xbox.
Election 2008 won't go away
Tomorrow is the long-awaited runoff between spawn of Satan Saxby Chambliss (here's the latest reason to dislike him) and Jim Martin. I'll save the introduction; the Democrats' hope for 60 senators will finally die tomorrow.
And in Minnesota, the same trend continues, wherein every bit of information we get only goes to further show how little information we have. Norm Coleman's lead has expanded ever so slightly, still generally in the 200s. However, he's also been challenging more ballots than Franken, quite possibly (and smartly, though Franken caught on quickly) to fabricate a lead for the news. Coleman's shrewd strategy is to win the first count and the second, and then even if Franken wins the court battle, Coleman can say that the Democratic Secretary of State and State Supreme Court took democracy from the hands of Minnesotans. Intrade contracts have dropped to 25 for Franken, but I'd say this is a pretty 50-50 battle, and there's no way to go any further than 60-40 in either direction.
I said before that I thought Minnesota's would be the closest Senate race, but even I wouldn't have predicted it would be this close.
And in Minnesota, the same trend continues, wherein every bit of information we get only goes to further show how little information we have. Norm Coleman's lead has expanded ever so slightly, still generally in the 200s. However, he's also been challenging more ballots than Franken, quite possibly (and smartly, though Franken caught on quickly) to fabricate a lead for the news. Coleman's shrewd strategy is to win the first count and the second, and then even if Franken wins the court battle, Coleman can say that the Democratic Secretary of State and State Supreme Court took democracy from the hands of Minnesotans. Intrade contracts have dropped to 25 for Franken, but I'd say this is a pretty 50-50 battle, and there's no way to go any further than 60-40 in either direction.
I said before that I thought Minnesota's would be the closest Senate race, but even I wouldn't have predicted it would be this close.
A different side of Google
This article (which I have only started, but find interesting) discusses the potentially embarrassing/illegal/scary/disappointing role of Google in defining modern free speech. I hope to see angry, swear-riddled rants (preferably in video form, as it is only fitting) discussing this to be posted soon.
November 30, 2008
KENKEN
Check out this new puzzle that the New York Times has begun to publish regularly. Below are the rules and a sample 4x4 KENKEN puzzle. (As a disclaimer: The name of the game seems to always be written in all capital letters. I hate this and copied it only for the sake of accuracy.)
Mission Accomplished!
Bush finally caved and agreed to a timetable for withdrawal. I hope that this is the one independent act of the long-time puppet, an acknowledgment of the true(r) mandate received by Obama.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
