the art of writing is discovering what you believe
The same technological efficiencies that empower modern culture also empower those who want to control it more tightly. More in this interview with Cory Doctorow that covers a lot of ground.
The same technological efficiencies that empower modern culture also empower those who want to control it more tightly. More in this interview with Cory Doctorow that covers a lot of ground.
* did the title of the post ring any bells?
“Once we have surrendered our senses and nervous systems to the private manipulation of those who would try to benefit by taking a lease on our eyes and ears and nerves, we don’t really have any rights left.”
“Once we have surrendered our senses and nervous systems to the private manipulation of those who would try to benefit by taking a lease on our eyes and ears and nerves, we don’t really have any rights left.” [From â— Nick Carr on McLuhan]
You may find it filed under SF, for reasons that elude me: it’s an alternate history set in 1949, with nothing more modern than the telephone. Anyway, it’s a murder mystery/political thriller, all wrapped in the aforementioned alternate history and peopled with well-realized characters, good and bad, all flawed in some way, but some quite sympathetic.
Ripped from today’s headlines, as the saying goes. You may find it filed under SF, for reasons that elude me: it’s an alternate history set in 1949, with nothing more modern than the telephone. Anyway, it’s a murder mystery/political thriller, all wrapped in the aforementioned alternate history and peopled with well-realized characters, good and bad, all flawed in some way, but some quite sympathetic. Worth staying up til 1AM to finish.
31 points out of 58 on Rolling Stone’s “ Almost Impossible Rock & Roll Quiz ,†which makes me a “Whiz,†proving they grade on a curve.
…I’m not checking the key: some of it I don’t want to know.
31 points out of 58 on Rolling Stone’s “Almost Impossible Rock & Roll Quiz,” which makes me a “Whiz,” proving they grade on a curve.
[From In Which I Am Lame and Old]
I’m not checking the key: some of it I don’t want to know.
But bad blog posts will still be every bit as bad as they were on the day they were spawned.
…The fourteen finalists for the worst, most embarrassing, most risible blog posts of all time are listed below.
ALL-TIME WORST BLOG POST CONTEST….
Think about it. A century from now, even the very best blog posts will be long forgotten. Let’s face it: they aren’t that good. But bad blog posts will still be every bit as bad as they were on the day they were spawned. They’ll endure. So we’re doing this for our grandchildren.
The fourteen finalists for the worst, most embarrassing, most risible blog posts of all time are listed below. You can vote for up to five. So take a trip down memory lane and then vote for your favorites. Remember: It’s your civic duty. [From The Washington Monthly]
Rathole squared?
If even [well-liked and highly respected Ryan Crocker] can’t manage to attract enough people to fill up all the open slots in Iraq — especially when a Baghdad posting also offers higher pay, the career boost of serving in a critical embassy, and a choice of assignments after your hitch is up — then service in the Green Zone must be a rathole squared.
Rathole squared?
If even [well-liked and highly respected Ryan Crocker] can’t manage to attract enough people to fill up all the open slots in Iraq — especially when a Baghdad posting also offers higher pay, the career boost of serving in a critical embassy, and a choice of assignments after your hitch is up — then service in the Green Zone must be a rathole squared. [From The Washington Monthly]
Think the Dems are up to it?
Friend of TPM and former Nixon White House Counsel John Dean knows a few things about lawless presidents. He just sent us his thoughts on the now certain confirmation of Judge Mukasey …
A Last Thought Before the Senate Judiciary Committee Confirms Judge Mukasey
By John W. Dean
As the Senate Democrats complete another sad concession to President Bush, and confirms a nominee who refuses to declare “water-boarding” torture, allow me to offer a brief historical reminder: the Senate Judiciary Committee has conspicuously forgotten that there are direct situational and historical parallels with Judge Mukasey’s nomination to be Attorney General and that of President Richard Nixon nominating Elliot Richardson to be Attorney General during Watergate.
Nixon’s Attorney General had been removed (and was later prosecuted for lying to Congress) – a situation not unlike Alberto Gonzales’s leaving the job under such a cloud. Nixon was under deep suspicion of covering up the true facts relating to the bungled break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate, not to mention widespread rumors that he had engaged in abuses of power and corrupt campaign practices. Today, Bush is under even deeper suspicion for activities far more serious than anything Nixon engaged in for there is evidence Bush has abused the laws of war, violated treaties, and ordered (or approved) the use of torture and political renditions, which are war crimes.
Since Judge Mukasey’s situation is not unlike that facing Elliot Richardson when he was appointed Attorney General during Watergate, why should not the Senate Judiciary Committee similarly make it a quid pro quo for his confirmation that he appoint a special prosecutor to investigate war crimes? Richardson was only confirmed when he agreed to appoint a special prosecutor, which, of course, he did. And when Nixon fired that prosecutor, Archibald Cox, it lead to his impeachment.
Before the Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee completely cave-in to Bush, at minimum they should demand that Judge Mukasey appoint a special prosecutor to investigate if war crimes have been committed. If Mukasey refuses he should be rejected. This, indeed, should be a pre-condition to anyone filling the post of Attorney General under Bush.
If the Democrats in the Senate refuse to demand any such requirement, it will be act that should send chills down the spine of every thinking American.
[From Dean on Mukasey]
Word.
If women are stupid for potentially voting for a candidate only out of gender solidarity then what level of stupid are people who voted Bush into office, not once but $%^&@#$ TWICE? That’s what I’d like to know [From Clips: Right-Wing Media Calls Single Women Voters “Stupid” We Call Them “Slutty”]
Amazon tells me that
Associates are eligible to earn 20% during the month of November 2007, on all Unbox referrals (up to $3.00 per item). There is no limit to the number of items on which referral fees can be earned.
I have mixed feelings, as the UnBox movies are all DRMed and otherwise toxic to freedom-loving people. But if you’re interested, have at it.
Never mind: the widget’s HTML fouls up page-rendering.
