"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…
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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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…