Just One More Thing ...

... as the late Peter Falk (RIP) used to say on "Columbo" ... well, two more (but they're related).

May all who have suffered Irene's wrath be back on their feet as quickly as possible.

And a related thought for climate-deniers:

Nothing personal, but Mother Nature's not impressed by your hot air.

... And, On The Other Hand ...

... no one should doubt that this country is now a plutocracy.  The proof just keeps rolling in.

A Positive Note For The End Of August ...

... in the form of an article by the Rev. Richard Cizik, on the subject of the war criminal otherwise known as our most recent ex-Vice President.  I have paid tribute to the Rev. Cizik before, and I'm happy to do so again, by way of this post.

But Will He Take The Hint?

Mr. President, if the American people wanted to re-elect Jimmy Carter, they would have done so, but they didn't.  They didn't want him in 1980, and they don't want him now.

But, as this article implies, he can't do it alone.  Too many people sat on the bench in 2010.  They're going to have to quit waiting for perfection, and get off the bench next year.

So THAT'S Why We Had An Earthquake No One Expected

It was Sarah Palin's fault, leading to a disruption from a fault underground.  So, when we say "Drill, baby, drill," the earth responds by saying "Shake, babies, shake"!

Sorry, climate-deniers and oil-enablers.  But I'll only give up my planet when you pry it from my cold, dead hands.  Sadly, it looks like you're prepared to do that.

A Tale of Two Countries (Apologies To Dickens)

It is the best of times in Iceland, where the people have remembered that the people are supposed to rule, and done something about it.

It is also the best of times in Libya, as Qaddafi is being shown the door he has deserved for decades.  But, in another sense, it is also the worst of times, as the population slowly but surely comes to terms with the fact that more than four decades of their nation's life, and their individual lives, were wasted through the worship of a false idol.

Which country sounds more like the United States?  You're right (but only if you picked option number two).  In fifty years, we have gone from being all Berliners to all Tripoli residents.  We just all haven't figured it out yet.  I worry that we never will.

Perhaps The Ultimate Proof ...

... that Republicans only stand for power.  For themselves.  And not for lower taxes.

Sic Transit "Fairness Doctrine"

The irony of this, of course, is that this is being done at the behest of conservatives, who were for it before they were against it.  They're only against it, of course, because they now dominate broadcasting.

It's kind of a pathetic triumph, the only kind that bullies are capable of having.  Because, in today's Internet/social media world, everyone's a broadcaster.  And that's something conservatives will never master.

Wonder How Mickey Kaus Feels About This?

I'm talking about his greatest political triumph--otherwise known as one of the two worst thing Bill Clinton ever did (and I'm counting DOMA, not Lewinsky).  Anyone with more than fifteen minutes of foresight could have foreseen this disaster, enacted when the economy was fat and happy.  But no economy is always fat and happy--in our case, the Republicans have made sure of that.

And what is Obama's response?  He just goes on prattling about how well he's working with the underminers in the other party, not about how he's ignoring the people who elected him.

God help us all.  No one else will.

The REAL Texas "Miracle"

Turns out it's a little thing called big government.

Hey Rick, if you have government spending so much, give the $25 billion back!

Barney Frank Was Right

To conservatives, life begins at conception.  And ends at birth.

As I've said before, the so-called "pro-life" movement is neither pro-life, nor really anti-abortion.  It's an anti-sex moment that seeks to channel sexual energy into religion and war.

If you want it to win, do nothing.  Unfortunately, many of you already are.

We Need Sustainable Capitalism

And, whether you like him or not, Al Gore is right about this.  Perhaps it's an important tipping point in our culture that the WSJ is publishing this.

Barack Obama needs to make this the narrative of his re-election campaign.  And I mean right now.  Everything else--climate change, immigration, union/employment issues and the deficit--can all be folded into it if he has any real political skills at all.

It's time, Mr. President.  Hell, it's past time.  Get going on this.  Now.

Finally, A Truly Modern And Beautiful Skyscraper

And a first rate example of sustainable architecture, too. Take a look at the work of architect Jeanne Gang.

In a world of idiots, there are a few smart people left.  Hopefully, they won't be overwhelmed by the idiots.

You're Absolutely Right, "Senator" Coburn

It is a good thing that you can't do this.  Because then you'd have to show you were really willing to use it.  And then, one way or another, we'd find out once and for all what a gutless coward you are.

It's not smart to be all hat and no cattle, Tom.  Some people out there are the real deal.  And they're not your friends.

I'm Not Surprised By This

"This" being an interview with Frank Schaeffer, the son of Francis Schaeffer, a prominent Evangelical Christian leader back in the day when I was heavily involved in that movement.  What is unsurprising to me is that, like me, he found the ability to walk away from it.  Schaeffer's father styled himself as a philosopher, but he was in fact the most rigid of theocrats, eschewing a real philosopher's openness of mind for a relentless effort to shoehorn facts into a cramped "Christian" view of world history and modern society.

Schaeffer, on the other hand, was much more intelligent and open-minded.  In the 1980's, he wrote a book called "Addicted to Mediocrity," in which he chastised modern evangelical culture for its bland, cliched commercialism, and contrasted it negatively both with Christian art in the Renaissance and Reformation, as well as with non-Christian contemporary culture.  In hindsight, it seems almost too clear that both of us were predestined--ordained, perhaps?--to walk away from a movement that exulted belief and obedience over reason and critical thinking.

Those who are still wrapped up in that movement would do well to ask and answer this question:  If God (or whom/whatever) only wanted us to believe, why did He/She/It/They give us the ability to think?