Archive for September, 2008

A Nation Party of Whiners

Monday, September 29th, 2008

Unfuckingbelievable. Literally. If I hadn’t seen the video myself, I would’ve thought this was the left-wing spin machine blowing things out of proportion. Yeah, I know C&L is on the left, but ignore the title and commentary and just watch the video. Summary: House GOP leaders said that the bailout bill failed because of a “partisan speech” by Nancy Pelosi. Quoth […]

Political Photoshop O’ the Day

Monday, September 29th, 2008

(Explanation for anyone who isn’t a political wonk with no life and doesn’t get it. And for those who don’t remember history.)

Reminder: Pulpit Initiative Today

Sunday, September 28th, 2008

For those who weren’t paying attention, today’s the day of the Alliance Defense Fund’s Pulpit Freedom Sunday, in which pastors are protesting the fact that their churches’ tax-exempt status comes with strings attached, namely rules against endorsing political candidates, same as any other non-profit organization. From what I’ve seen, the news coverage is mostly unsympathetic. The Post’s On Faith column has a guest post in […]

It’s Amazing What Passes for Persecution These Days

Sunday, September 28th, 2008

According to this story in the Post, the Virginia police superintendent issued a directive saying that police chaplains have to conduct non-denominational services, i.e., not invoke Jesus’ name. This is in response to a federal court ruling about prayers before city council meetings. Del. Charles W. Carrico Sr. (R-Grayson), a former state trooper, said he is organizing an online petition to […]

Regulation

Thursday, September 25th, 2008

By newly-enacted federal law, everyone on the blagotubes has to write a post about the ongoing financial meltdown before civilization (and the Internet) collapses, so here’s mine. Of course, since I wouldn’t know a 401(k) from a 386zx, take my uninformed ramblings with a big rock of salt. I’ve compared free market capitalism to natural selection before. They’re both powerful forces that […]

Wanted: Calendar Feature

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

PDAs have solved or simplified a lot of the problems I used to have before I started carrying around a backup brain. But there’s one type of reminder that they still can’t deal with: “do X under when Y happens”. E.g., “Return Paul’s book next time I see him” or “Look up Janice if I’m ever in London.”

Front-Loading: I Do Not Think It Means What You Think

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

One of the ID creationists’ favorite words is “front-loading”. From context, I gather that it means that the output of an algorithm is inherent in the algorithm itself. In other words, if you write a detailed program that calculates the square root of 16, then that’s just a long-winded way of having it print “4″. You could have saved yourself […]

Skin Conductance and Political Affiliation

Friday, September 19th, 2008

Ed Yong has an article up at Not Exactly Rocket Science about a researcher who found a correlation between involuntary startle responses and support for various political/social programs: When we’re suddenly confronted with a shocking image, our skin becomes moist and we blink strongly. These actions are automatic and unintentional; they happen without conscious thought. So it may come as a […]

Christian Persecution

Monday, September 15th, 2008

This is fucked up: GHUMUSAR UDAYAGIRI, India — Babita Nayak was cooking lunch for her pregnant sister when a mob of Hindu extremists wielding swords, hammers and long sticks rampaged through their village, chanting “India is for Hindus! Convert or leave!” The gist of this depressing article is that Hindu fundies are killing Christians, burning their homes, destroying their […]

Monday Playlist

Monday, September 15th, 2008

I Am the Rain, Assemblage 23 I Am You, Depeche Mode I Am Your Robot, Elton John I Am Not Your Gameboy, Freezepop I Am the Resurrection, The Stone Roses I Am Your Conscience, LeƦther Strip Hello, I Am Your Heart, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band I Am the Walrus, The Beatles I Am Not Your Broom, They Might Be Giants I Am a […]