Month: January 2006

I’m back but not in full swing, and still too caught up with other things to get completely caught up with blogging right now. I think I had too much fun. Thus, not only do I have a lot of non-blog-related stuff to do, blogging feels stiff and achy — like using tired muscles. Speaking…

Oh yeah, and will civilization as we know it come to a screeching, agonized halt anytime soon? No, no and no. Well, regarding that last one, certainly not because of Peak Oil. But, mightn’t there be hard times ahead? Well, yeah. Always and ever. But their exact nature is sometimes difficult to ascertain. As Doris…

I’ve never thought much about the noise made by wind, probably because I tuned it out as being uninteresting. But right now I’m surrounded by the sounds of 50 mile-an-hour tropical winds, and I’m just captivated by their contrast to what I’m used to hearing, and by my inability to describe the difference. We just…

Greetings from Nassau! This is the first chance I’ve had to get on the Internet, and I am just tickled pink to see all these really good posts here. The plan is to return on Sunday afternoon, but this having fun doing nothing in particular is addictive. I was last here in the early 1960s,…

Not so fast. I’m no cartographer, and I don’t study the history of Chinese exploration, but I’m not buying this map that purports to be a 1763 copy of a map drawn in the year 1418. It’s believed by some to substantiate the claims made in Gavin Menzies’ 1421: The Year China Discovered America. Why…

Back in March of last year I noted a hopeful milestone. The Methuselah Mouse Prize had passed the million dollar mark. Ten months later I’m happy to report that the prize fund now stands at 3.23 million. Also, they’ve spiffed up their website, adding some attractive new features. If you’re so inclined, I would urge…

Beck is right. The market will not be denied. But that doesn’t mean that we have to meekly submit to its abuse. We can step up and take a more active role. We can all be part of the market. Maybe the smarter part, if we’re lucky. A case in point would be rising fuel…

There’s a good article in Tech Central Station today which traces the decline and fall of the German biotech industry. The pattern is a common one: first the government regulates, imposes controls, and tramples markets. Then the industry withers and relocates. In all things, the Market will not be denied. It can’t be. This is…

As you may remember, back in September James Kunstler had this to say… Take a good look at America around you now, because when we emerge from the winter of 2005 – 6, we’re going to be another country. The reality-oblivious nation of mall hounds, bargain shoppers, happy motorists, Nascar fans, Red State war hawks,…

Virginia Postrel March 8, 2005 I’ve long argued that there are two completely distinct worldviews here: one (the traditional zygotes-are-persons view) that supports the end (longer, healthier lives) but not the means (embryo research) and another (the Kass view) that opposes the end and, only incidentally, the means (embryo research). If there’s one thing Leon…

And it’s one, two, three, What are we fightin’ for? Don’t ask me I don’t give a damn. Next stop is Vietnam. And it’s five, six, seven, Open up the pearly gates. Well, there ain’t no time to wonder why Whoopee! We’re all gonna die. Actually, she mostly just stuck to the last two lines.…

As those of you who have been paying attention around here are already aware, Eric has asked me to do some guest blogging for him while he is on vacation. So, in the hallowed spirit of substitute teachers everywhere, I’ve decided to kick things off by assigning some homework. Assignment: Fill in the blanks. [BLANK]…

Hm … I’ve got to work on my titles. It’s hard to believe I’ve been blogging here for so long, but almost a year and a half ago I wrote a couple of posts about the outcry (in the form of an e-mail petition) over the U.S. refusing to contribute to the U.N.’s population fund…

I’ve got the flu and loads of research and writing to do, but I came across the stories circulating about Alito and the Princeton alumni group he joined back in the 70’s, CAP (Concerned Alumni of Princeton). After a cursory glance there are two easy conclusions: (1) Alito is a racist, and (2) Alito is…

I’m leaving town first thing in the morning for an eight day trip, and I am out of time for any more posting, but I have a couple of anouncements. One is that the talented John Beck of Incite will be guest blogging! I think John is one of the most talented writers and best…

“Brokeback Mountain” was not my favorite movie. Although it was a good (if artsy) film, I thought it a bit slow for my tastes, and as I complained in an earlier post, I saw it as being unfair to the so-called “Red States.” But a man named David Kupelian who writes for WorldNetDaily seems to…

According to the World Tribune, Ariel Sharon has been declared dead: Sharon was declared dead by physicians at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital before 1 p.m. Israeli time [6 a.m. EST], Middle East Newsline reported. Authorities have already been notified of the death, and a government announcement was expected to be issued over the next hour. Israel…

The last two posts stand out as examples of topics which are beyond debate, because of a near total failure of logic. Just as there is no way to debate with an anarchist about things like property, technology, crime, or punishment, there is no way to debate someone like Pat Robertson over what he deems…

According to Pat Robertson, the 77 year-old Ariel Sharon’s massive stroke was “God’s Punishment.” That’s right. God also punished a thousand Americans in New Orleans by drowning them. Robertson speculated why: We have killed over 40 million unborn babies in America. Obviously, God’s in no hurry with his fatal punishments. He gets around to everyone…

To remember is to choose sides. — Dan Berger I stumbled onto the above while searching in vain for confirmation of this harrowing account by a woman now living in an Israeli kibbutz, who claims that former Weather Underground leader Billy Ayers (now a respected professor) forced her to be gang raped to somehow “prove”…