Your editor has enjoyed the works of author Orson Scott Card for years. Aside from novels he also apparently writes insightful political and cultural pieces.
This timely piece, for example, is about the recent Mass. Supreme Court decision.
It begins:
Civilization Watch --
By Orson Scott Card February 15, 2004
Humpty Dumpty Logic
A little dialogue from Lewis Carroll:
"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less."
"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."
"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master -- that's all."
The Massachusetts Supreme Court has not yet declared that "day" shall now be construed to include that which was formerly known as "night," but it might as well.
Thursday, February 26, 2004
Campaign finance reform laws are the biggest con ever pulled on the nation.
They take as their presumption that speech is dangerous and must be curtailed. It is a "Big Lie" behind which elected officials hide their endless efforts to make themselves immune from defeat at the polls, while at the same time being viewed by left-liberals and self-interested newspaper editorialists as saintly "reformers".
Here is a beautifully argued piece that discusses that flim-flam flummery:
George F. Will: McCain-Feingold pollutes free speech
They take as their presumption that speech is dangerous and must be curtailed. It is a "Big Lie" behind which elected officials hide their endless efforts to make themselves immune from defeat at the polls, while at the same time being viewed by left-liberals and self-interested newspaper editorialists as saintly "reformers".
Here is a beautifully argued piece that discusses that flim-flam flummery:
George F. Will: McCain-Feingold pollutes free speech
From Charlie Sykes, In the column he describes the problem of RINOs:
Panzer, RINOs, and TABOR
"But the real problem may be the RINOs.
RINO is an acronym for 'Republicans In Name Only.'
Last Sunday, the Journal Sentinel reported that a handful of RINOs -- Reps. Gregg Underheim (R-Oshkosh) and Michael Lehman (R-Hartford)- were staging a "mini-revolt" over the idea of a spending cap.
Lehmann is reported "to oppose any constitutional amendment that would limit state and local spending."
Underheim complains "There's this assumption out there that there is wanton waste and abuse and fraud in local government. That simply isn't true."
Somebody should give him a bus ticket to Milwaukee. We could show him around."
Panzer, RINOs, and TABOR
"But the real problem may be the RINOs.
RINO is an acronym for 'Republicans In Name Only.'
Last Sunday, the Journal Sentinel reported that a handful of RINOs -- Reps. Gregg Underheim (R-Oshkosh) and Michael Lehman (R-Hartford)- were staging a "mini-revolt" over the idea of a spending cap.
Lehmann is reported "to oppose any constitutional amendment that would limit state and local spending."
Underheim complains "There's this assumption out there that there is wanton waste and abuse and fraud in local government. That simply isn't true."
Somebody should give him a bus ticket to Milwaukee. We could show him around."
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Your editor found a link on the front page at Slate that read:
"WHY YOU LEMMINGS WILL VOTE FOR KERRY"
It leads to an interesting article that examines why:
"Barring a miraculous comeback by Sen. John Edwards, Sen. John Kerry will win the Democratic presidential nomination-despite the fact that most Democratic voters know little about him and don't like him very much."
Monday, February 23, 2004
"I'll be in the bar."
The Willard Hotel is famous for having a lobby which runs an entire city block down the middle of the building. It is one block from the White House and, the story goes, in the 1860's people would wait in the lobby for senior Administration officials to happen by and would accost them with one request or another.
From this came the term, "Lobbyist."
The Willard Hotel is famous for having a lobby which runs an entire city block down the middle of the building. It is one block from the White House and, the story goes, in the 1860's people would wait in the lobby for senior Administration officials to happen by and would accost them with one request or another.
From this came the term, "Lobbyist."
From the great Ober Dicta:
Rumsfeld Fighting Technique
In return we send out to Ober Dicta:
''Skydiver lands on beer vendor at women's cole-slaw wrestling event.''
(thank you Dave Barry)
Rumsfeld Fighting Technique
In return we send out to Ober Dicta:
''Skydiver lands on beer vendor at women's cole-slaw wrestling event.''
(thank you Dave Barry)
Friday, February 20, 2004
Thursday, February 19, 2004
This wasn't in Wisconsin, but it should have been:
Woman Fined for Registering Cows As Voters
Feb 19, 9:50 AM (ET)
LONDON (AP) - Brenda Gould is in trouble again for registering her cows as voters.
For the second year running, the woman from Newmarket, near Cambridge in eastern England, has listed two names on the registration form who turned out to be cows, East Cambridgeshire District Council said Thursday.
The previous year, in addition to registering two cows as "Henry and Sophie Bull," she listed "Jake Woofles," later found to be a dog, as eligible to vote in local government elections, the council said.
Woman Fined for Registering Cows As Voters
Feb 19, 9:50 AM (ET)
LONDON (AP) - Brenda Gould is in trouble again for registering her cows as voters.
For the second year running, the woman from Newmarket, near Cambridge in eastern England, has listed two names on the registration form who turned out to be cows, East Cambridgeshire District Council said Thursday.
The previous year, in addition to registering two cows as "Henry and Sophie Bull," she listed "Jake Woofles," later found to be a dog, as eligible to vote in local government elections, the council said.
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
WISCONSIN BRIEFING: MILWAUKEE:
Principal used voucher money for two Mercedes cars
A school principal used the proceeds from state voucher money to buy two Mercedes-Benz cars for about $65,000, a newspaper reported.
( 02/18/2004 03:01 AM CST)
From St. Paul Pioneer Press
Principal used voucher money for two Mercedes cars
A school principal used the proceeds from state voucher money to buy two Mercedes-Benz cars for about $65,000, a newspaper reported.
( 02/18/2004 03:01 AM CST)
From St. Paul Pioneer Press
The best Onion article since "Governor Thomspon changes title to Sexecutioner"
---thanks to andrew sullivan for link
---thanks to andrew sullivan for link
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
GREAT MOMENTS IN WISCONSIN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNING
[As transcribed by ABC's The Note from a visit by Howard Dean to room 102 at Longfellow Middle School in La Crosse where students were examining water samples under a microscope].
HOWARD DEAN : Which do you think is safer, to drink water from your toilet or from the river? It's true.
STUDENT: I'd rather drink from the toilet.
HD: That's right. . .
HD: Which has more bacteria, dog pee or river water?"
CLASS: Dog pee
HD: I do not recommend drinking urine, but if you drink water straight from the river you have a greater chance of getting an infection that if you drink urine.
[As transcribed by ABC's The Note from a visit by Howard Dean to room 102 at Longfellow Middle School in La Crosse where students were examining water samples under a microscope].
HOWARD DEAN : Which do you think is safer, to drink water from your toilet or from the river? It's true.
STUDENT: I'd rather drink from the toilet.
HD: That's right. . .
HD: Which has more bacteria, dog pee or river water?"
CLASS: Dog pee
HD: I do not recommend drinking urine, but if you drink water straight from the river you have a greater chance of getting an infection that if you drink urine.
Monday, February 16, 2004
GOVERNOR DOYLE HAS A NEWSLETTER The editor has received a copy.
We provide herewith the choice bits of the newsletter:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOVERNOR DOYLE NEWS
Don't Forget to Vote on Tuesday!
The eyes of the nation are on Wisconsin this week. For the first time in decades, Wisconsin will play a defining role in the selection of the Democratic nominee for president. No matter who you support in the presidential race, you need to make sure and exercise your constitutional duty and get out there and vote on Tuesday. Let's show the country that Wisconsin can rise to the occasion.
New GOP Poll Shows Governor Doyle's at 65 Percent Job Approval Rating
Gov's Approval Numbers Jump 14 Points During Concealed Carry Debate
A new poll released this week show Governor Jim Doyle's approval rating hitting a new high, having jumped 14 points over the last three months. During that time, the single issue that dominated the Wisconsin legislature has been the Governor's veto of a reckless GOP concealed carry bill.
Doyle for Vice President?
"What do Bill Richardson, Ed Rendell, Tom Vilsack and Jim Doyle have in common? Well, they are all Democratic governors - serving as the chief executive officers of New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Iowa and Wisconsin, respectively. They are all viewed as highly competent politicians vital to the party's future, let alone this year's elections. And, oh, they are possible vice presidential candidates."
(New York Times, February 10, 2004)
Do You Support Legalizing Prescription Drugs From Canada?
During his State of the State, Governor Doyle unveiled a new website, www.drugsavings.wi.gov, a new resource for Wisconsin citizens to find out information about the fight for access to safe and less costly prescription drugs from Canada. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration is actively fighting against this issue.
You can help make a difference!
Governor Doyle Launches New Website to Fight Concealed Weapons
Last week, Governor Doyle launched a new website, noconcealedweapons.com. The website is designed to help get people active in their local communities - to support legislative candidates that agree with the vast majority of Wisconsin citizens and law enforcement who oppose concealed weapons. Legislative Republicans are counting on you to not take any action to fight for what you believe in. Can we all really afford to allow that to happen?
We provide herewith the choice bits of the newsletter:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOVERNOR DOYLE NEWS
Don't Forget to Vote on Tuesday!
The eyes of the nation are on Wisconsin this week. For the first time in decades, Wisconsin will play a defining role in the selection of the Democratic nominee for president. No matter who you support in the presidential race, you need to make sure and exercise your constitutional duty and get out there and vote on Tuesday. Let's show the country that Wisconsin can rise to the occasion.
New GOP Poll Shows Governor Doyle's at 65 Percent Job Approval Rating
Gov's Approval Numbers Jump 14 Points During Concealed Carry Debate
A new poll released this week show Governor Jim Doyle's approval rating hitting a new high, having jumped 14 points over the last three months. During that time, the single issue that dominated the Wisconsin legislature has been the Governor's veto of a reckless GOP concealed carry bill.
Doyle for Vice President?
"What do Bill Richardson, Ed Rendell, Tom Vilsack and Jim Doyle have in common? Well, they are all Democratic governors - serving as the chief executive officers of New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Iowa and Wisconsin, respectively. They are all viewed as highly competent politicians vital to the party's future, let alone this year's elections. And, oh, they are possible vice presidential candidates."
(New York Times, February 10, 2004)
Do You Support Legalizing Prescription Drugs From Canada?
During his State of the State, Governor Doyle unveiled a new website, www.drugsavings.wi.gov, a new resource for Wisconsin citizens to find out information about the fight for access to safe and less costly prescription drugs from Canada. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration is actively fighting against this issue.
You can help make a difference!
Governor Doyle Launches New Website to Fight Concealed Weapons
Last week, Governor Doyle launched a new website, noconcealedweapons.com. The website is designed to help get people active in their local communities - to support legislative candidates that agree with the vast majority of Wisconsin citizens and law enforcement who oppose concealed weapons. Legislative Republicans are counting on you to not take any action to fight for what you believe in. Can we all really afford to allow that to happen?
Also from Slate, a really good summary of Wisconsin's presidential debate:
The Wisconsin Debate
Kerry waffles, Edwards wallops, Dean wanes.
The Wisconsin Debate
Kerry waffles, Edwards wallops, Dean wanes.
Here is a great article:
Selling Sleaze: A User's Guide
Ten ways to rationalize the publication of infidelity rumors.
By Timothy Noah
Selling Sleaze: A User's Guide
Ten ways to rationalize the publication of infidelity rumors.
By Timothy Noah
Thursday, February 12, 2004
Want to have fun in DC?
The Wisconsin Procurement Institute will help you extract money from the Federal Government and put it in your pocket. What could be more fun than that?
They are having a special shakedown cruise in DC on March 2-4. You should probably attend.
The Wisconsin Procurement Institute will help you extract money from the Federal Government and put it in your pocket. What could be more fun than that?
They are having a special shakedown cruise in DC on March 2-4. You should probably attend.
FROM ANDREW SULLIVAN:
Thursday, February 12, 2004
THE CARNAGE IN IRAQ: The news of yesterday's latest suicide bombing is grim indeed. The strategy is so obvious it barely rewards repeating. Al Qaeda and Qaeda-like Islamists target innocent Iraqis involved in the rebuilding of their country's security and infrastructure. They kill dozens. Then they infiltrate and help spread rumors that it was actually some kind of bizarre plot by the Americans to kill people they need to win over. The aim is to keep the reconstruction off-kilter, fuel anti-coalition feeling and destabilize the place enough for it to be used as a base for Islamofascist revolt. Then you have this chorus, as reported in the Washington Post:
"There is no God but Allah. America is the enemy of God," the protesters chanted. "Hell to the Americans. Hell to the Jews."
The Jews? How did they get involved? Ah, yes. Of course they are involved. For fascists, it's always the Jews. If anyone thinks this war is over, they need to get real.
Thursday, February 12, 2004
THE CARNAGE IN IRAQ: The news of yesterday's latest suicide bombing is grim indeed. The strategy is so obvious it barely rewards repeating. Al Qaeda and Qaeda-like Islamists target innocent Iraqis involved in the rebuilding of their country's security and infrastructure. They kill dozens. Then they infiltrate and help spread rumors that it was actually some kind of bizarre plot by the Americans to kill people they need to win over. The aim is to keep the reconstruction off-kilter, fuel anti-coalition feeling and destabilize the place enough for it to be used as a base for Islamofascist revolt. Then you have this chorus, as reported in the Washington Post:
"There is no God but Allah. America is the enemy of God," the protesters chanted. "Hell to the Americans. Hell to the Jews."
The Jews? How did they get involved? Ah, yes. Of course they are involved. For fascists, it's always the Jews. If anyone thinks this war is over, they need to get real.
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