Unqualified Offerings

Seems like some people don’t blog as much as they used to who used to be pretty good at it. So it’s worth calling out a new, terrific piece by Patrick Nielsen Hayden, who used to blog a lot, on
what gets tagged “reality” and what doesn’t, and why
in the course of discussing media accounts of [...]

By Thoreau
As staunch advocates for limiting government power, the Teahadists have invited John “the Decider can decide to torture” Yoo to speak at their rally.
In related news, I have just found ironclad evidence of ongoing torture:  A prisoner in Pennsylvania claims that he was forced to watch one of those Kardashian shows. Even John Yoo [...]

By Thoreau
I agree with Greenwald on this:
If the President has the power to order American citizens killed with no due process, and to do so in such complete secrecy that no courts can even review his decisions, then what doesn’t he have the power to do?
I will say, though that the American Empire is [...]

By Thoreau
Last night, my wife and I went to see Hamlet on campus.  I have seen many productions of Hamlet, but I can say in all honesty that the student who played Hamlet gave the finest performance I’ve ever seen in that role.  He was brilliant, and I hope to some day see his name [...]

By Thoreau
I’ve always admired the way that Poland ended Communism:  The workers united, wrested control of the means of production away from the ruling class, and dismantled the oppressive apparatus of the state.  It’s a simple, elegant, and ironic approach.

By Thoreau
A few days ago we had a large meeting of many faculty and staff.  At the meeting, we were asked to review a document and then fill out comment cards indicating what we thought the most important issues in that document are.  Our comments are to be compiled and put into a report that [...]

By Thoreau
In his continuing efforts to alienate his commentariat, Matt Yglesias sticks up for small business start-ups trying to break into markets with entrenched players, and says something about how it might also be good for job creation.  Liberaltarianism may or may not have a future outside of Matt’s blog, but he’s striving mightily and [...]

By Thoreau
The  LA Times is against Prop 19.  They make serious arguments, so I will give serious responses.  Their two main arguments are:
1)  By making marijuana taxes and regulations (or bans) local matters, this will create a crazy patchwork of laws.  They would prefer a statewide system of taxation and regulation.
2)  It will still be [...]

By Thoreau
Previously, on UO:  dhex’s coinage of “beckmaddowian axis” was incorporated into our lexicon.
I hereby also add “Teahadist” to the lexicon.  Props to commenter Derelict” at The Poor Man Institute.

By Thoreau
So, basically, Gene Lyons is saying that Palin, Bachmann, and O’Donnell are hot but crazy, the sort of freaky chick that we all have met at some point.  Um, I hate to sort of stick up for them, but if these were 3 charismatic male conservatives saying crazy things, would they be treated as [...]