Quality interweb mischief from Jared Bridges
Peter Augustine Lawler has a superb piece on the pursuit of happiness. Lawler observes how most people equate happiness with individual happiness, and are willing to go to great lengths with biotechnology to make that happen: We can see that the hope we place in biotechnology is based, in part, on our present desperation. In … Read more
We caught just a little of NBC’s new National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure, which aired tonight. I had tried to tape the show, but I’m glad my VCR skills have waned as of late. The movie was terrible—at least the last half hour was. Randy Quaid’s “Cousin Eddie” was the most … Read more
Here’s a debate I’m curious about: do you think that listening to an audiobook (book on tape, CD, etc.) can be considered “reading” a book? Usually on long road trips, like the ones we have planned for upcoming holidays, my wife and I like to listen to audiobooks while we drive. I started doing this, … Read more
Nope, I haven’t seen it yet—still anticipating. I thought, however, that I would point you to a couple of noteworthy reviews. Jonah Goldberg‘s is favorable, while Jonathan V. Last is a bit disappointed. It’s interesting to see what has been left out or changed from the books, which usually leaves something to be desired—as I’ve … Read more
My car is dirty. I haven’t been to the car wash in months. I usually take in the “freebies” that come every time it rains. My car is dirty—on the outside. On the inside, my car is virtually spotless. I’m pretty neurotic about people leaving trash in it, and I clean the dust and the … Read more
Last year I did a good 90% of my Christmas shopping online. This year, due to many circumstances, I am forced to do all of my shopping in brick and mortar stores. Last night I ventured out without the benefit of my wife, a seasoned shopper. For the sake of pending gift surprises, I’ll leave … Read more
I’m not referring to some obscure Lord of the Rings passage here, but to Terrence O. Moore’s superb article, “Wimps and Barbarians: The Sons of Murphy Brown,” on the loss of manhood in our society. Moore, a former Marine, college professor, and school principal, sees boys today developing into one of two types: wimps and … Read more
The Reuters news agency, who prefers to call the 9/11 murders “freedom fighters” rather than terrorists, has decided that there was too much jubilation going on following Saddam’s capture. So, they release this article: Joy at the capture of Saddam Hussein gave way to resentment toward Washington Monday as Iraqis confronted afresh the bloodshed, shortages … Read more
Howard Dean can’t make up his mind: “I congratulate our troops on capturing Saddam Hussein,” Dean said at a fundraising concert that featured singers Bonnie Raitt and David Crosby. “He’s a bad person and we’re all better off with him in captivity. But you should know that my views on Iraq have not changed one … Read more
Some French officials have declared war on religious symbols: Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders in France have condemned a proposed ban on conspicuous religious signs such as headscarves or crucifixes in schools…Former minister Bernard Stasi, who headed the commission consulted a wide cross-section of public opinion, including teachers, religious leaders, sociologists and politicians before handing … Read more