Saturday, June 12, 2010
Saturday morning roundup
India profits and ails from recycled electronics.
A Columbian priest brings human rights abuses to light.
How Greece's economy over the years has corresponded to its evolving culinary tradition.
The Post's Scene-In hit Old Town--make sure to check it out.
A Columbian priest brings human rights abuses to light.
How Greece's economy over the years has corresponded to its evolving culinary tradition.
The Post's Scene-In hit Old Town--make sure to check it out.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Friday morning roundup
Capetown hides its poor.
Pearlstein on the debate over economic priorities we should be having.
How the media willfully ignores nuance and polarizes the electorate.
A reminder that the President has no superpowers. And a reminder that a number of treaties aren't going to ratify themselves, i.e. without his political capital.
Does increased gadgetry really benefit education? Steven Pinker argues that technology does keep us smart. There are comments to be made about that last column--there's a point it's missing about how technology, gadgetry, etc. train us socially--they don't have to make us cognitively dumber to make us generally dumber. Tufte's right, PowerPoint does make us dumb (but not through deleterious effects on brain cells). On that note-hat tip to Wendy for this--what if Lincoln had delivered the Gettysburg Address in powerpoint?
I'm not really one to talk, having Hagrid Hair myself, but I have to admit that I see nothing wrong with aSen. Boxer's hair. On a more substantive note, Ruth Marcus mourns the paradigm shift column she was going to write, about how women are winning in a new way. But while we're on the topic of the woman who destroyed HP, you can read about why boardroom skills don't always translate to governing ability.
Pearlstein on the debate over economic priorities we should be having.
How the media willfully ignores nuance and polarizes the electorate.
A reminder that the President has no superpowers. And a reminder that a number of treaties aren't going to ratify themselves, i.e. without his political capital.
Does increased gadgetry really benefit education? Steven Pinker argues that technology does keep us smart. There are comments to be made about that last column--there's a point it's missing about how technology, gadgetry, etc. train us socially--they don't have to make us cognitively dumber to make us generally dumber. Tufte's right, PowerPoint does make us dumb (but not through deleterious effects on brain cells). On that note-hat tip to Wendy for this--what if Lincoln had delivered the Gettysburg Address in powerpoint?
I'm not really one to talk, having Hagrid Hair myself, but I have to admit that I see nothing wrong with aSen. Boxer's hair. On a more substantive note, Ruth Marcus mourns the paradigm shift column she was going to write, about how women are winning in a new way. But while we're on the topic of the woman who destroyed HP, you can read about why boardroom skills don't always translate to governing ability.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Thursday morning roundup
You may have thought, a year or two or ten ago, that like in North Korea couldn't possibly suck more. But it really, really does.
China just says no to accountability and yes to competing for a record in political prisoners.
A Chalcolithic shoe is discovered in Armenia.
BP opts to draw attention to its parody.
After months of mockery, South Carolina moves toward redeeming itself.
A smart, nuanced column on Israel
Is this why my people are doomed to be hairy?
A DC institution goes up for sale.
Meanwhile, District activists consider statehood.
China just says no to accountability and yes to competing for a record in political prisoners.
A Chalcolithic shoe is discovered in Armenia.
BP opts to draw attention to its parody.
After months of mockery, South Carolina moves toward redeeming itself.
A smart, nuanced column on Israel
Is this why my people are doomed to be hairy?
A DC institution goes up for sale.
Meanwhile, District activists consider statehood.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Wednesday morning roundup
With regard to its North Korea policy, China grows a pair.
Sec. Clinton on income inequality in Latin America.
A sense of relative privation hits Thailand's emerging middle class.
Perhaps it would be best to just stop reading this $hit.
Let's fight the above with deliberative democracy.
Californians, please listen up. I would say what I'm about to say regardless of political leanings: do not--please do not--make Carly Fiorina a senator.
Pearlstein on tech and the all-you-can-eat model. I kind of like the original example, though, in its own right, beyond its basis for an analogy: the concept of all-you-can-eat is kind of sick.
If it's advertised on TV, don't eat it. Unless it's eggs.
Ancient Egyptians were pioneers in camping.
Don't let anyone teach your children Mandarin. Also, Jon Stewart says, "Thank you, South Carolina":
Sec. Clinton on income inequality in Latin America.
A sense of relative privation hits Thailand's emerging middle class.
Perhaps it would be best to just stop reading this $hit.
Let's fight the above with deliberative democracy.
Californians, please listen up. I would say what I'm about to say regardless of political leanings: do not--please do not--make Carly Fiorina a senator.
Pearlstein on tech and the all-you-can-eat model. I kind of like the original example, though, in its own right, beyond its basis for an analogy: the concept of all-you-can-eat is kind of sick.
If it's advertised on TV, don't eat it. Unless it's eggs.
Ancient Egyptians were pioneers in camping.
Don't let anyone teach your children Mandarin. Also, Jon Stewart says, "Thank you, South Carolina":
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Thank You, South Carolina - The Race to Replace Disgrace | ||||
| ||||
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tuesday morning roundup
Foreign fighters are exacerbating to Somalia's havoc.
China's senior barbarian handler speaks out.
The African National Congress sends the leader of its youth wing to anger management classes.
On Helen Thomas's exit: Columns from Milbank and Cohen; brief statements from Vanden Heuvel and Armao.
David Brooks' rambling but spot-on endorsement of the humanities.
I've mulberry trees growing in both yards, but I keep fighting the ones that keep trying to take over my rose bushes. Russians, too, are a foraging people (I have a freezer-full of mushrooms to show for it).
China's senior barbarian handler speaks out.
The African National Congress sends the leader of its youth wing to anger management classes.
On Helen Thomas's exit: Columns from Milbank and Cohen; brief statements from Vanden Heuvel and Armao.
David Brooks' rambling but spot-on endorsement of the humanities.
I've mulberry trees growing in both yards, but I keep fighting the ones that keep trying to take over my rose bushes. Russians, too, are a foraging people (I have a freezer-full of mushrooms to show for it).
Monday, June 7, 2010
Monday evening roundup
I'm going to ignore the more controversial "logic" Rand Paul espoused the other day and focus on a small section of what he said:
But let's talk about the second paragraph, because it's completely non-sensical. It's not like the government is mandating how many calories we should choose to consume; the government is mandating making health-related information available to consumers. Isn't capitalism all about making self-interested decisions based on information? So wouldn't you encourage the availability of that information?
Here's another thing I'm not really going to delve into, but I will comment on it in passing: I've come to see discourse over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the same way as that over nutrition: the vast majority of the people who run their mouths freely have no f*ing idea what they're talking about.
For example, I am opposed to the government telling restaurant owners that they cannot allow smoking in their establishments. I believe we as consumers can choose whether to patronize a smoke-filled restaurant or do business with a smoke-free option.I'm even going to refrain from commenting on the first paragraph, in that what I'd say has been said hundreds of times: what about the restaurant staff? Can they choose to do business with a smoke-free option?
Think about it - this overreach is now extending to mandates about fat and calorie counts in menus. Do we really need the government managing all of these decisions for us?
But let's talk about the second paragraph, because it's completely non-sensical. It's not like the government is mandating how many calories we should choose to consume; the government is mandating making health-related information available to consumers. Isn't capitalism all about making self-interested decisions based on information? So wouldn't you encourage the availability of that information?
Here's another thing I'm not really going to delve into, but I will comment on it in passing: I've come to see discourse over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the same way as that over nutrition: the vast majority of the people who run their mouths freely have no f*ing idea what they're talking about.
Monday morning roundup
China's changing demographics and the end of cheap labor (there). The government, too, has changed.
There's a parody BP twitter feed.
Gadgets are the anti-Zen.
Fred Hiatt advocates cutting off our agricultural welfare queens and supporting development in Liberia.
In appreciation of Andrei Voznesensky.
Robert Samuelson urges us not to let success breed carelessness and complacency.
There's a parody BP twitter feed.
Gadgets are the anti-Zen.
Fred Hiatt advocates cutting off our agricultural welfare queens and supporting development in Liberia.
In appreciation of Andrei Voznesensky.
Robert Samuelson urges us not to let success breed carelessness and complacency.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Sunday morning roundup and response to comment
Obesity imperils childbearing.
Interfaith marriage can get ugly.
As unlikely as some events may seem, it behooves us to plan for the worst.
I stand corrected: Rand Paul is not named for Ayn Rand. Just a coincidence. I have to agree that things like allowances may "foster dependence.
Frank Rich's advice to the President is refreshingly out of sync with the "get mad!" chorus.
For your kids' sake, don't have ugly children. I LOVE the phrase, "“general unattractiveness rendered moot their sartorial choices.”" This reminds me of a Latin American short story but I can't remember what it's called. I'll look it up and get back to you.
Michael Chabon on Jews. For the record, I never grew up thinking we were disproportionately intelligent. That said, it's an interesting essay. See also Daniel Kurtzer's piece on the Israeli narrative.
These Race for the Cure message t-shirts are awesome.
Re: the Style Invitational, I meant cringe like you do at a bad pun that's still kind of funny--or that's funny because it's so bad.
Interfaith marriage can get ugly.
As unlikely as some events may seem, it behooves us to plan for the worst.
I stand corrected: Rand Paul is not named for Ayn Rand. Just a coincidence. I have to agree that things like allowances may "foster dependence.
Frank Rich's advice to the President is refreshingly out of sync with the "get mad!" chorus.
For your kids' sake, don't have ugly children. I LOVE the phrase, "“general unattractiveness rendered moot their sartorial choices.”" This reminds me of a Latin American short story but I can't remember what it's called. I'll look it up and get back to you.
Michael Chabon on Jews. For the record, I never grew up thinking we were disproportionately intelligent. That said, it's an interesting essay. See also Daniel Kurtzer's piece on the Israeli narrative.
These Race for the Cure message t-shirts are awesome.
Re: the Style Invitational, I meant cringe like you do at a bad pun that's still kind of funny--or that's funny because it's so bad.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Response to comment: salmon
In terms of sustainability, any wild salmon will do. Don't be fooled by "organic" Atlantic salmon; it is still unsustainable, although perhaps slightly less filthy. Atlantic, i.e. Norwegian and Scottish salmon are farmed. Alaskan (Coho, King, Sockeye, etc.) is wild. In terms of taste, Coho and King have a richer flavor, but for salmon burgers and everyday use, Sockeye is great and slightly less expensive. Even Target has stopped selling farmed salmon.
Mark Bittman votes for King and links to an article which in turn links to an expose film with disturbing images: This is one of four. See the others below.
Mark Bittman votes for King and links to an article which in turn links to an expose film with disturbing images: This is one of four. See the others below.
Saturday morning roundup--Part II
The Post's op-ed page calls out Turkish PM, although I think the Turkish Pres's demagoguery is at least as pathetic. On that note, oh, Helen Thomas.
I've said this before on these pages: Robin Givhan is a style writer. She covers fashion and style, including the social aspects and implications of what people wear. She's a style writer for the Washington Post, meaning she covers the styles, and implications of those styles, of Washington's powerful. In response to the haters, first of all, stop writing to the Post complaining that such things get coverage at all: they get Style section coverage, not front page coverage, and it is the Post's role to print such coverage. I will also say this: you are entitled to your opinions (so, shush, letter writer who says those people should stop reading the columns and stop writing letters--people have a right to voice their displeasure with what's in a newspaper). You have a right to think that style choices should not be scrutinized, or that women's style choices shouldn't be scrutinized disproportionately. But as Ms. Givhan said in the column in question on Ms. Kagan's wardrobe, what women wear matters, and it will be scrutinized. And as a style writer, it's her job to cover it.
Speaking of the Post's Style section, this week's Invitational will make you cringe.
On a related topic--funny but sometimes cringe-inducing--Second City was HILARIOUS. They do their now-famous predecessors proud.
I've said this before on these pages: Robin Givhan is a style writer. She covers fashion and style, including the social aspects and implications of what people wear. She's a style writer for the Washington Post, meaning she covers the styles, and implications of those styles, of Washington's powerful. In response to the haters, first of all, stop writing to the Post complaining that such things get coverage at all: they get Style section coverage, not front page coverage, and it is the Post's role to print such coverage. I will also say this: you are entitled to your opinions (so, shush, letter writer who says those people should stop reading the columns and stop writing letters--people have a right to voice their displeasure with what's in a newspaper). You have a right to think that style choices should not be scrutinized, or that women's style choices shouldn't be scrutinized disproportionately. But as Ms. Givhan said in the column in question on Ms. Kagan's wardrobe, what women wear matters, and it will be scrutinized. And as a style writer, it's her job to cover it.
Speaking of the Post's Style section, this week's Invitational will make you cringe.
On a related topic--funny but sometimes cringe-inducing--Second City was HILARIOUS. They do their now-famous predecessors proud.
Saturday morning roundup-Part I
Rahul Gandhi's expected to collect his political inheritance.
I echo one of the comments here: Stay classy, South Carolina. Gail Collins has more.
Finally, food companies are going to have to keep it real. But consumers still need to read ingredient labels and use their heads.
I echo one of the comments here: Stay classy, South Carolina. Gail Collins has more.
Finally, food companies are going to have to keep it real. But consumers still need to read ingredient labels and use their heads.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Friday morning roundup
Another political murder, another case of a broken justice system in Russia.
The Potomac seems to disproportionately lure in and swallow recent immigrants.
How Xinhua unapologetically manipulates the news.
Don't forget Egypt.
Late-life divorce is not really that surprising.
It's never too early to get your kids excited about language.
Alexandrians will lose access to Jones Point Park for two years.
How to get away with going topless at Rehoboth Beach
Dilbert on finding product names and outdated office technology.
The Potomac seems to disproportionately lure in and swallow recent immigrants.
How Xinhua unapologetically manipulates the news.
Don't forget Egypt.
Late-life divorce is not really that surprising.
It's never too early to get your kids excited about language.
Alexandrians will lose access to Jones Point Park for two years.
How to get away with going topless at Rehoboth Beach
Dilbert on finding product names and outdated office technology.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Jon Stewart's flotilla coverage
Starting at minute 3 or so:
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Clusterf#&k to the War House - Korean Peninsula & Middle East | ||||
| ||||
Thursday evening roundup
Another reason to tell those people who tell you to smile to suck it.
The food/class debate rages on. See a coherent response here and scroll to the end of the actual study to check out the graphs.
An interesting debate over whether Spiritual-but-not-religions is a cop-out. I disagree with one of the perspectives cited there; after all, you can be self-centered and removed from the community in organized religion, too.
SP's statements get more and more logical.
The food/class debate rages on. See a coherent response here and scroll to the end of the actual study to check out the graphs.
An interesting debate over whether Spiritual-but-not-religions is a cop-out. I disagree with one of the perspectives cited there; after all, you can be self-centered and removed from the community in organized religion, too.
SP's statements get more and more logical.
Thursday morning roundup
In a column that echoes Dave Brooks in the Conversation I posted yesterday, the question is, how does Israel keep falling into PR traps?
Collins on how South Carolina leads the nation in political sex scandals.
Lobbyist money will flow freely this election year.
Speaking of untouchable lobbies, where are the Tea Partiers and deficit hawks over the national embarrassment of exorbitant farm subsidies?
Carolyn fields a question from a wife determined to let her insecurities destroy her marriage. Those of you who saw "Reasons to Be Pretty" will especially appreciate this.
Collins on how South Carolina leads the nation in political sex scandals.
Lobbyist money will flow freely this election year.
Speaking of untouchable lobbies, where are the Tea Partiers and deficit hawks over the national embarrassment of exorbitant farm subsidies?
Carolyn fields a question from a wife determined to let her insecurities destroy her marriage. Those of you who saw "Reasons to Be Pretty" will especially appreciate this.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Wednesday evening roundup
Brooks on the flotilla debacle.
Attention, proud-of-yourself hippies who cook your pets' food: that's actually worse for the environment.
Apparently, there's something to be said for one of Mom's arguing tactics, i.e. invoking the obviously irrelevant.
Really? Someone has nothing better to do than analyze HIMYM? I love that show as much as anyone, but full-page essays? Really?
Okay, I've saved for last something that is making my head explode. I am so. f*ing. sick. of the unsubstantiated argument that poor people can't cook, not to mention the argument that cooking from scratch takes that much longer than combining pre-packaged ingredients. Mr. Yglesias's post especially infuriates me because it's full of unsubstantiated BS that doesn't even make sense, and it boggles my mind that someone can just make stuff up and sound authoritative about it. I give him credit for attacking the myth that fresh food costs more, but what about this horse manure:
For a more intelligent commentary on income and food choice, see Tom Philpott's commentary on Michael Pollan's essay.
Attention, proud-of-yourself hippies who cook your pets' food: that's actually worse for the environment.
Apparently, there's something to be said for one of Mom's arguing tactics, i.e. invoking the obviously irrelevant.
Really? Someone has nothing better to do than analyze HIMYM? I love that show as much as anyone, but full-page essays? Really?
Okay, I've saved for last something that is making my head explode. I am so. f*ing. sick. of the unsubstantiated argument that poor people can't cook, not to mention the argument that cooking from scratch takes that much longer than combining pre-packaged ingredients. Mr. Yglesias's post especially infuriates me because it's full of unsubstantiated BS that doesn't even make sense, and it boggles my mind that someone can just make stuff up and sound authoritative about it. I give him credit for attacking the myth that fresh food costs more, but what about this horse manure:
It’s not that healthier ingredients are absent or too expensive — even lower-priced supermarkets have plenty of fresh produce available — it’s that preparing those meals requires more time and energy than is available to most lower-income people. Cooking takes time, and after a long day of hard work in low-wage employment, parents want to relax, and the incredible ease of fast and processed food is a powerful lure.I know plenty of people who want to relax after a long day of hard work in decent-wage employment, myself included. I know people who make a lot more than I do for whom the ease of fast and processed food is a powerful lure.
For a more intelligent commentary on income and food choice, see Tom Philpott's commentary on Michael Pollan's essay.
Wednesday morning roundup
Amos Oz on the limits of the use of force. Harold Meyerson on the limits of political manipulation, among other things. Check out the Beinart piece if you haven't already (I linked to it last week).
Courtland Milloy on the national reaction to the President's Gulf disaster response. More from Toles.
Emotions as we age.
Backyard-raised eggs don't always taste better.
I can tell you from personal experience that organic pumpkin tastes distinctly better than its conventional counterpart. Whichever your preference, though, brace yourself for another possible pumpkin shortage.
Courtland Milloy on the national reaction to the President's Gulf disaster response. More from Toles.
Emotions as we age.
Backyard-raised eggs don't always taste better.
I can tell you from personal experience that organic pumpkin tastes distinctly better than its conventional counterpart. Whichever your preference, though, brace yourself for another possible pumpkin shortage.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Tuesday evening roundup
Afghanistan before the wars: a vibrant photo essay.
The ascendency of "so".
Carolyn's debate on PDA rages for a second day straight. I don't understand people who seek validation through PDA or continue to insist on an artificial signal of affection from someone who is clearly uncomfortable with it.
The ascendency of "so".
Carolyn's debate on PDA rages for a second day straight. I don't understand people who seek validation through PDA or continue to insist on an artificial signal of affection from someone who is clearly uncomfortable with it.
Tuesday morning roundup
Criminality, not poverty, begets crime.
I don't get Slapp. Businesses think they can get away for being horrible, but people can't complain about them?
What? Tea Party candidates backtrack sometimes when people weigh their initiatives against reality?
Corporations ponder how best to influence anonymously.
The auto bailout can actually boast "Mission Accomplished."
Is hiring a ghost-writer for e-dating misrepresentation?
Oh, were U.S. political bickering as witty as that of the Brits.
Gene Weingarten's Googleyups column is hilarious.
I don't get Slapp. Businesses think they can get away for being horrible, but people can't complain about them?
What? Tea Party candidates backtrack sometimes when people weigh their initiatives against reality?
Corporations ponder how best to influence anonymously.
The auto bailout can actually boast "Mission Accomplished."
Is hiring a ghost-writer for e-dating misrepresentation?
Oh, were U.S. political bickering as witty as that of the Brits.
Gene Weingarten's Googleyups column is hilarious.
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