Monthly Archives: November 2008

The Latin term pudendum and the Greek term αιδοίον (aidoion) for the genitals literally mean “shameful thing”. (Wikipedia) Interesting times we live in (wonder what Chinaman we pissed off?): Fifty days left until we see whether Bush actually leaves office. … Continue reading →

Regular readers will recall the Phrygian cap*, which the “Sons of Liberty” adopted about 1766 as the emblem of our Revolution. Many of the militia who served in the Revolutionary War wore the “Liberty cap” with “Liberty” or “Liberty or … Continue reading →

Lots of dishes, served up steaming and hot. i. What I’m thankful for.

Part 2, in which battling spokespersons collude like you wouldn’t believe. (Part i was yesterday’s “Moving America Bass-ackwards“) They are the political equivalent of unscrupulous telemarketers or internet phishers: This week, they’re a prince from Nigeria; the next, they’re telling … Continue reading →

Well, tonight’s news showed the new “Thank you Sarah” ad from a new astroturf group called “Our Country Deserves Better PAC.” Deborah Johns during the Move America Forward Tour in 2005 And you know, something made my little reporter’s “HUNCH” … Continue reading →

Snark springs eternal in this Winter of klannish Discontent. From the ever-snarky Politico: Obama skips church, heads to gym By JONATHAN MARTIN & CAROL E. LEE 11/23/08 3:41 PM EST President-elect Barack Obama has yet to attend church services since … Continue reading →

Two score and five years ago today. Courage.

(To paraphrase Edgar Varèse.) Or, perhaps, Paul Simon: “The words of the mid-list authors are written on the subway walls.” I fear that I’m about to rant, so some time ought be allotted to get small children, pets and those … Continue reading →

(backposted from November 21) Fate is inscrutable. Out of the blue, and old friend of my wife’s died last week. Since she lived three hours away, and her son, an only child, lives on the East Coast, the past 48 … Continue reading →

Those gosh darned pirates! They took advantage of the complete lack of meaningful governance by locating the easy pickings. And, in so doing, they developed a new criminal tactic based on some very old criminal tactics. They preyed on the … Continue reading →

One of the great attractions of patriotism is that it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we are able, vicariously, to bully and cheat. Bully and cheat, what’s more, with a feeling that we are profoundly … Continue reading →