Saturday, December 29, 2007

29 Dec 2007 09:10 pm

The Sanity Of Fred Thompson

It really makes me like him more. Full remarks here.

29 Dec 2007 09:03 pm

Face Of The Day

Republican presidential candidate U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) hugs supporter Dorothy Innis at a campaign event December 27, 2007 in Des Moines, Iowa. By Eric Thayer/Getty Images.

29 Dec 2007 08:49 pm

Obama and Boomers

A reader writes:

Obama's biggest problem with the Boomers I've spoken with is that they are truly a narcissistic bunch who, yes, rebelled against their parents' ways but so often did it on their parents dime and also still looked at their parents as "real adults." They still don't see themselves as "real adults."

And they have never, ever, voted for a Presidential candidate who was younger than them.  And when you bring that up to them, bring up how you think they might be afraid of supporting Obama not because he's young, but because he's younger than them (and not a father figure), it really freaks their shit out.

I'm sure there's some kind of truth here, but it's surely not decisive. Still, a generational struggle is an interesting dynamic of the Clinton-Obama race. Remember: Clinton's only five years older younger than Obama's mother.

29 Dec 2007 07:53 pm

Quote For The Day III

"It's gone. The breakup of what was the Reagan coalition — social conservatives, defense conservatives, antitax conservatives — it doesn’t mean a whole lot to people anymore," -  Ed Rollins, Ronald Reagan’s political director and Mike Huckabee’s national campaign chairman.

29 Dec 2007 07:42 pm

The Insanity Of Airline Security

A really useful piece with an obvious conclusion:

Conned and frightened, our nation demands not actual security, but security spectacle.

29 Dec 2007 07:34 pm

"I Can Do That"

Perhaps the funniest Catherine Tate sketch ever. When you're prejudiced against everyone, are you prejudiced against anyone? Derb will love it:

29 Dec 2007 06:33 pm

Quote For The Day II

"I think it is an open question whether the Times itself should be prosecuted for this totally gratuitous revealing of an ongoing secret classified program that is part of the war on terror," - Bill Kristol, July 7, 2006. Matt sighs. Isaac thinks he's better in a partisan publication like the Weekly Standard:

The beauty of Kristol's Weekly Standard editorials is that his thuggish side is allowed to shine; at Time it was constricted.

Steve Benen:

This is an embarrassment from which the paper of record will not soon recover.

That strikes me as too excitable. It's just a missed opportunity. I guess they did have Tierney for a while. But balancing Kristol with a paleocon or libertarian would be a good idea. Why not stir the pot and add Brookhiser or Ponnuru or Chapman once a week? Or a younger blogger like Larison or Douthat or Balko?

29 Dec 2007 06:09 pm

The Conservative Case For Gay Marriage (Again)

A response to my post. I think Reihan's point is that social conservatism resists change and that therefore extending civil marriage rights to gay couples is inherently liberal. The reform corresponds with the evolution of civil marriage away from procreation and toward companionship - and social conservatives worry about such change. In that sense, I don't disagree with Reihan's point. The most coherent conservative objection to same-sex marriage is simply resistance to any tampering with a vital social institution. I respect that position; it's certainly devoid of bigotry; and, as longtime readers know, I'm happy to let this evolution proceed state by state for Hayekian reasons.

But as societies change, conservatives have to adapt - at least if Burke is still regarded as a conservative. Given that our society now has a huge number of openly gay couples, many with children, and that the law has to respond to this social reality, the practical decision conservatives have to make is: what shall we do about this? My fear, expressed almost two decades ago now, was that the ad hoc responses - domestic partnership, civil unions and the like - were as practically unavoidable as they were subtly undermining of marriage. Give gays domestic partnerships and marriage-lite and straights will demand them as well. And so marriage becomes less special and less constructive an institution.

I can see that, back in 1989, when I first made the case, the jump to full marriage equality seemed a leap. But two decades later? When it has become the norm in many countries and in one state? When civil unions exist in many other states? Why does it remain socially liberal to resist the conservative logic of including everyone within the same family structure, with the same responsibilities? And, of course, when you actually listen to the current advocates of banning such marriages - and unions - you do not hear nuanced or Hayekian social arguments very often. You hear truisms - "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman" - or religious invocations of the "sanctity" of a civil institution.

I suppose marriage equality is socially liberal in as much as it tries to defend and integrate a previously despised minority. But it is socially conservative in its attempt to envelop that minority in the traditions and responsibilities of family life. In this, it is exactly the same as welfare reform: ending a disincentive to family life among a minority that needs more social stability. I have to say that having finally begun to live a married life, all my previous intuitions about its integrating impact have been borne out more profoundly than I ever imagined.

If you can make the leap to seeing gay people as the equal of straight people, then encouraging their marriages to one another is arguably one of the most socially conservative measures now subject to national debate. That's why it remains so saddening that so many social conservatives still regard it as definitionally anathema. I don't think it's a leap to believe that homophobia or fundamentalism are the critical stumbling blocks. Or that they are the real reasons for the resistance. 

29 Dec 2007 04:22 pm

Quote For The Day

"America’s friends abroad have felt more despair this past five years than in the previous 50. To turn a phrase once applied to Britain by the American diplomatist Dean Acheson, America has acquired an empire but not found a role," - Simon Jenkins, The Times.

29 Dec 2007 03:09 pm

The Candidates On Executive Power

In some ways, this is one of the most important issues in this election after the astonishing power-grab by Bush and Cheney. The Boston Globe sent out a questionnaire on executive power to all the candidates. Unsurprisingly, Giuliani didn't respond, except with bland mush from Ted Olson. Only McCain and Paul among Republicans repudiated the notion that the president is above the law, can ignore treaties at will, and has the inherent power to seize, imprison and torture anyone on the planet he deems an "enemy combatant" without due process. But the most interesting responses were from Romney and Clinton. Clinton - as always - hedged. She left some space for signing statements. But she is admirably candid in some respects:

The Bush Administration has acted unconstitutionally in failing to comply with FISA, failing to adhere to Congress's prohibitions on torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and attempting to hold enemy combatants indefinitely at Guantanamo without review, to name a few examples. More fundamentally, I reject the basic premise of the Bush Administration's view that Executive Power is not subject to the rule of law or to constitutional checks and balances.

Romney, however, clearly represents the continuation of the de facto protectorate of the Bush-Cheney administration. He backs the use of signing statements, the right of the president to ignore treaties if he wishes, and only supports "some type of habeas corpus relief" for US citizens seized by the government. On torture, he believes that the president can torture and is under no obligation even to answer questions about it:

A President should decline to reveal the method and duration of interrogation techniques to be used against high value terrorists who are likely to have counter-interrogation training. This discretion should extend to declining to provide an opinion as to whether Congress may validly limit his power as to the use of a particular technique, especially given Congress’s current plans to try to do exactly that.

It seems to me that that kind of power is monarchical not presidential, secret and dangerous rather than open and legal. According to Romney, the president doesn't even have to say if he believes Congress can ban, say, waterboarding? A vote for Romney is a vote to continue the unprecedented and indefinite powers that Bush and Cheney have seized for themselves.   

29 Dec 2007 02:41 pm

Ron Paul's Evolution Denial

A reader writes:

I too, wanted to pretend like I didn't see that video of Ron Paul saying that he can't accept Evolution.  I admire the man.  He is clearly the most legitimate GOP candidate.  But this has completely damaged my perception of him.  As an Athiest, I often find it absoultely mind-boggling that so many people in the United States, in this day and age, can still deny that Evolution is real.  But the truth is, while pretty much any person you meet who doesn't believe in Evolution is doing so for religous reasons, it is important to note that this issue goes far deeper than just religion itself.  After all, the present day Vatican, and even Pope Benedict have a very sober stance towards Evolution.  So this to me, highlights why Paul's denial of Evolution is such a big deal.

It is important because it says much more about him than merely what his religious beliefs are.  It illuminates a major element of his thought process.

Continue reading "Ron Paul's Evolution Denial" »

29 Dec 2007 02:17 pm

Obama and Edwards In Davenport

850 show up for Obie. 350 for Edwards. At this point, these numbers are about as useful as the polls.

29 Dec 2007 01:54 pm

The View From Your Window

29 Dec 2007 01:53 pm

Why The NYT Hired Kristol

Probably not for his Iraq expertise:

"I think there's been a certain amount of, frankly, Terry, a kind of pop sociology in America, that, you know, somehow the Shia can't get along with the Sunni, or the Shia in Iraq just want to establish some kind of fundamentalist regime. There's almost no evidence of that at all. Iraq has always been very secular."

Yeah, I don't have a leg to stand on. But at least I've acknowledged how wrong I was.

29 Dec 2007 12:06 pm

"But They Won't Nominate Obama, Andrew. That's the Point."

A Republican writes:

A party that is as motivated by revanchist impulse as today’s Democratic Party cannot bring itself to transcend its anger. That is why Hillary will survive the Obama insurgency.

Yes, Obama would beat us, bad. We would hemorrhage Republican women and a significant number of conservatives would vote Obama to teach the Republicans in Washington not to deviate from Reagan and Goldwater. We would be forced to return to first principles, and we would.

But that is not what Democrats want. They do not see this opportunity. All they see is Bush, and they are obsessed with the man who will not be running in 2008.

This is what we are counting on. We instantly understand that Hillary controls the money. Hillary controls the Superdelegates. Hillary controls the Party Apparatus. Hillary knows that her base voters are more filled with anger at Bush than they are with hope for the future and change for all the American people.

29 Dec 2007 11:01 am

"I'm So Tired Of Being Afraid"

Oprah has nothing on Michelle. Nor does Hillary:

She has the potential to be as transformational a First Lady as her husband would be a president. The opening for black America in particular is immeasurable. I know many of you think I've become a shill for the Obama campaign. So be it. I admit to a visceral response to the Clintons and their machine. But it isn't just visceral. It's a function of watching and following them very closely for many years. They have many, many qualities. They are both extremely talented. But they are also deeply flawed and would in my view, be terribly divisive for the country. I guess my elbows have been a little sharp with respect to Clinton. But I make no apology for throwing myself into this Clinton-Obama struggle. After these last few years, it seems to me to be an epic battle between fear and hope. I think we need more hope right now and less fear. We need fresh voices, not exhausted and bitter ones. We need to believe in America again. Clinton cannot do that. Obama can.

I'm not a Democrat or a Republican. You don't have to read this blog. And I don't have to write it. My emotions sometimes get the better of me. But if you are an Iowa Democrat, do yourself a favor and listen to Michelle Obama. Don't throw this chance away.

Hat tip: Ambers.

29 Dec 2007 10:32 am

The Joy Of Sex With Robots

"In the early days of sexbots very few people indeed will be able to afford to buy one. But the robots-for-hire business model will work. As more and more people experience robot sex and communicate their experiences to their friends, and in the media, so the demand will increase and the price will drop. Eventually is a very long time, but consider television in the early days very few could afford it, but nowadays some homes have 3, 4 or more TVs," - David Levy, author of Love and Sex with Robots: The Evolution of Human-Robot Relationships. And you never have to call the next day.

29 Dec 2007 09:32 am

Christianity and Evolution

I have to say that John Paul II has one of the best statements I've read on the subject:

"The Bible itself speaks to us of the origin of the universe and its make-up, not in order to provide us with a scientific treatise, but in order to state the correct relationships of man with God and with the universe. Sacred Scripture wishes simply to declare that the world was created by God, and in order to teach this truth it expresses itself in the terms of the cosmology in use at the time of the writer."

29 Dec 2007 09:25 am

"A Phony"

McCain hits back at Romney. Ouch:

Friday, December 28, 2007

28 Dec 2007 09:26 pm

The Dish Awards Of 2007

This year, you got to choose the winners. Full results here.

28 Dec 2007 09:24 pm

The Betting

Take this for what it's worth but the Intrade markets are showing a Giuliani collapse and a small Clinton rally in the days before Iowa. Republicans:

Dems:

28 Dec 2007 07:50 pm

Kristol To The NYT

He's obviously an extremely talented writer and editor, and I guess some naked partisanship on the right is necessary to balance out Krugman. But ideologically, having both David Brooks and Bill Kristol as the sole representatives of the right-of-center is to focus on a very small neocon niche in a conservative world that is currently exploding with intellectual diversity and new currents of thought. There are about five "national greatness" conservatives out there. Four of them now have columns in the WaPo or NYT: Kristol, Brooks, Krauthammer and Gerson. Thank God, I guess, for the blogosphere. We have no restrictions here, do we?

(Update: a reader asked me who the other national greatness conservative was. Bob Kagan. And, of course, he does have a column in the WaPo. So it's five for five.)

28 Dec 2007 06:28 pm

Quote For The Day

"What you're saying is I haven't taken a congressional delegation. I have not made an official trip. I've traveled through Europe extensively, and in fact, on my way back from Russia met with Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street... I think that you're seeing renewed vitality in Europe and it has a desire to flex its muscles a lot more in terms of foreign policy. But there's a big world out there. And I think that my familiarity with Asia and Africa, not just in an official capacity, but in a very intimate way, my knowledge of the Muslim world, is part of the experience that informed my judgment when I opposed the war in Iraq. It's part of why I've called for negotiations with Iran. When I first said this it was considered to be bucking the conventional wisdom. But now the intelligence estimates have said it's something we need to do. It's the same knowledge base that allowed me to insist that we shouldn't have put all our eggs in Musharraf when it came to Pakistan policy. All these things I think inform my foreign policy vision, one that says we can keep ourselves safe by maintaining the strongest military in the world, but also by reinvigorating our diplomacy and our efforts to affect public opinion around the world, and that's something I think I could do better than anybody." - Barack Obama.

28 Dec 2007 06:27 pm

The Creepy Logic Of Romney

This is actually something like the consensus among most of the GOP candidates:

"Our most basic civil liberty is the right to be kept alive."

It's a very, very, very long way from "Give me liberty or give me death, as Mark Thompson notes. " The "culture of life" as the theocons call it does not, alas, mean merely a deep respect for human life, from cradle to grave, with prudence as the guide to the grayest areas at the very beginning and very end of life. It has come to mean for many an absolutism with respect to maintaining life and survival - even to the point of absurdity, as in the Terri Schiavo case or opposition to RU486. And on the other wing of today's conservatism - the authoritarian wing - it means sacrificing basic liberties (such as habeas corpus) and basic moral principles (such as the prohibition on torture). I deal with this in The Conservative Soul at length. But it remains a staggering sign of how conservatism has abandoned its core principles - out of fear of terrorism and out of adherence to religious fundamentalism.

28 Dec 2007 05:00 pm

The Envelope, Please ...

After thousands of votes, the results are now in.

The Malkin Award for 2007 goes to ... Michael Savage for this:

"You know, the Gore-leone crime family is now the number one crime family in the world, when you think about it. He's about to pull off the biggest scam in the history of the world. It's bigger than any bank heist, bigger than any drug deal. It's bigger than any counterfeiting scheme, and he's doing it all nice and natural with a little help from the socialist perverts in Norway, who gave him a Nobel Prize. Why do I call them socialist perverts? Answer: because they are. By and large, 90 percent of the people on the Nobel Committee are into child pornography and molestation, according to the latest scientific studies."

The Moore Award for 2007 goes to ... Keith Olbermann for this:

"Al Qaeda really hurt us, but not as much as Rupert Murdoch has hurt us, particularly in the case of Fox News. Fox News is worse than Al Qaeda — worse for our society. It's as dangerous as the Ku Klux Klan ever was."

The Yglesias Award for 2007 goes to ... Peggy Noonan for this:

"Christian conservatives have been rising, most recently, for 30 years in national politics, since they helped elect Jimmy Carter. They care about the religious faith of their leaders, and their interest is legitimate. Faith is a shaping force. Lincoln got grilled on it. But there is a sense in Iowa now that faith has been heightened as a determining factor in how to vote, that such things as executive ability, professional history, temperament, character, political philosophy and professed stands are secondary, tertiary. But they are not, and cannot be. They are central. Things seem to be getting out of kilter, with the emphasis shifting too far."

And the Poseur Of The Year 2007 is ... Michael Ledeen for this:

"Barbara and I went to Indianapolis for a Toby Keith concert, where we partied with something like 25,000 happy rednecks, most of them young, most of them wearing boots and cowboy hats (and cheering Keith's great song "I Should Have Been a Cowboy"). It's a great show, and he's a wonderful performer, not least because of his deeply moving patriotic songs like "American Soldier," "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," and " The Taliban," etc.

It's great to get out of the Washington culture of narcissism and spend some time with the rednecks, a.k.a. real Americans."

Thanks to Jessie Roberts, my outgoing Dish-prepper, for setting all of this up. Thanks to all of you who send in these items and to all of you who voted. And congrats to all the winners. I decided to keep the awards named as they are for 2008. A glossary - with the criteria for each - can be read here.

28 Dec 2007 04:38 pm

Is Romney Down For The Count?

Tom Edsall looks at the evidence. Money quote:

Since January 1, 2007, the former Massachusetts governor has spent well in excess of $80 million, including at least $17.4 million of his own money, paying media fees in excess of $30 million, salaries of roughly $16 million, and consulting payments of more than $15 million.

Among Romney's costly innovations this year has been putting more than 80 local conservative leaders in key states on his campaign payroll, in what amounts to a 21st Century revival of "walk-around money."

And still he struggles.

28 Dec 2007 04:23 pm

Over-Estimating Bhutto

Thomas Barnett counsels against believing that the assassination changes that much:

Bhutto, despite our mythologizing of her past rule and future potential, was not going to fix Pakistan. As such, her passing matters only to the extent it creates short-term instability. But, in the end, I don't expect to change much about the correlation of forces right now in Pakistan.

28 Dec 2007 03:58 pm

The Closer

Obama's final pitch. Text here.

28 Dec 2007 03:51 pm

The View From Your Window

LaPorte, Indiana, 11 am.

28 Dec 2007 03:16 pm

The Democrats' Obama Opportunity

A reader writes:

You called it:

"[T]he biggest self-inflicted wound since -- well John Kerry and Harry Reid." 

Your vision is much too narrow. The worst self inflicted wound since McGovern, when a weak, spineless candidates allowed a hated war time president to remain in the White House and cemented the historic "southern shift" strategy that prevailed for a generation. 

Obama is an historic opportunity for the Dems of FDR proportions, a chance to remake the political landscape for a generation or more. And people like Krugman and his proxy Hillary, who want only political war, narrow short term score settling, are the alternative. If the Dems don't nominate Obama, and go for Hillary or Edwards, they will have shown themselves to be as corrupt, opportunistic, hypocritical, and small minded as the Republicans. 

I say this as a life long Democrat who in 40 years of voting has only voted once for a Republican (who was running against Phil Gramm for congress). This really is potentially an historic turning point. To blow it will be just too awful to contemplate. Sometimes political decisions have long lasting and significant consequences. It doesn't happen very often, but this really is one of those times.

28 Dec 2007 03:05 pm

Giuliani's Actual Message

Indelicately but accurately put:

More Hannity-style braggadocio here.

28 Dec 2007 02:54 pm

The Many Pakistans

And not all are mourning.

28 Dec 2007 02:53 pm

The View From Your Window

28 Dec 2007 02:49 pm

Iowa Republicans

Well, they've already gotten something right:

Do you see President George W. Bush as a conservative Republican in the mode of Ronald Reagan? (Republicans Only)

Yes 7%
No 72%
Undecided 21%

28 Dec 2007 02:31 pm

Faces Of The Year VII

28 Dec 2007 02:18 pm

Blaming The Victim

Greg Laden:

Between these memories and snippets of information gleaned from her most recent brushes with death, I was fully resolved to the fact that she would not live very many weeks. There is no way, I am certain, that she did not know this herself. The man who shot her could reasonably be called a suicide bomber, but in some ways, he was merely a pawn in Bhutto's own self-guided martyrdom.

28 Dec 2007 02:08 pm

The Moore Award Finalist

A reader writes:

Would you look once again at the Keith Olbermann quote - carefully, this time - and ask yourself whether you really disagree with it.  You haven't minced words yourself when complaining about what 9/11 has wrought in terms of a totalitarian presidency - and torture - and an ill-fated war in Iraq.  You have argued numerous times that President Bush is likely guilty of war crimes.  And it seems to me that you come very close at times to suggesting that what has happened vis-a-vis the Bush presidency is perhaps the worst thing that 911 has wrought.  And isn't Fox news part and parcel of Bush and Company?  Sure - Olbermann can be a bit of a windbag; but he is a refreshing wind bag in my book - especially for being so early and often a MSM critic of Bush and Company.

Alas, the Awards are just for the quote cited. They can be unfair. And you get to choose.

28 Dec 2007 01:26 pm

Ron Paul On Evolution

I want to look away.

28 Dec 2007 01:25 pm

"This Vital Act Of Civic Ministry"

Christianism laid bare in Iowa - behind Huckabee.

28 Dec 2007 01:20 pm

Let's Keep Our Distance

Noah Millman urges prudence on Pakistan. Greg Djerejian concurs.

28 Dec 2007 01:17 pm

Is Al Qaeda Losing Pakistani Opinion?

Support for suicide bombing has plummeted in recent polls. Stanley Kurtz remains pessimistic.

28 Dec 2007 12:58 pm

To Pouf or To Poof?

I don't think Glenn Greenwald really wanted to go there ... but such are the perils of blogging.

28 Dec 2007 12:44 pm

A Random End-Of-Year Favorites List

Hey, it's my blog. Herewith some highly personal favorites from 2007.

Most under-rated movie: Zodiac.

Best movie: Into Great Silence.

Best TV series: Sunrise Earth.

Best Cultural Commentary: "The Imaginationland Trilogy," South Park; "Fundamental," Pet Shop Boys.

Most Under-Rated TV show: The Soup.

Guiltiest Pleasure: Judge Judy.

Best Books: "Farewell To Alms" by Gregory Clark. "Takeover" by Charlie Savage.

Most Under-Rated magazine: The New Republic.

Worst Online Development: That Awful Vlogging Period.

Funniest Blogger: Chris Kelly.

Strange New Respect: John Derbyshire.

Best Magazines: The Atlantic, New York, Wired.

Biggest Disappointment: Mickey Kaus.

Most Under-Rated blogger: Will Saletan.

Best Columnist: George Will.

Most Under-Rated Columnist: Roger Cohen.

Best Magazine Essay: Kenneth Anderson's "Mormons, Muslims and Multiculturalism".

Best Campaign Bloggers: Marc Ambinder, Ben Smith.

Best Moral Compasses: Scott Horton, Hillary Bok, Anne Applebaum.

Best Group Blog: My readers.

28 Dec 2007 11:54 am

Huckabee On Pakistan

Geez:

"We ought to have an immediate, very clear monitoring of our borders and particularly to make sure if there's any unusal activity of Pakistanis coming into the country."

28 Dec 2007 11:34 am

Dissent Of The Day

A reader writes:

Ed Morissey's sneers at Richardson are based on pure ignorance. Richardson is right. The US should push to get rid of Musharraf and they could do it by cutting off the $150 million a month that goes to subsidising the Pakistani military. The new Army Chief of Staff General Kayani would have Musharraf gone in a second and would return to the country to a semblance of democracy within six months because he understands the damage that military rule does to a military's image -- that will only get worse after BB's assassination. Democracy won't be perfect but it will be better than this.

Here's why the US should not support Musharraf:

-- He's an illllegitimate leader with no popular support (see recent IRI polling). He has had to prop himself up by repeatedly declaring martial law. Pakistanis don't hate us because we are western, they hate us for propping up a miserable unelected government.

-- On November 4th, the day after the declaration of martial law (it was not a state of emergency -- that is a specific constitutional measure in Pakistan) Musharraf released 28 jihadis, including three found with suicide vests, in exchange for 200 soldiers who had surrendered to a jihadi group without a fight. That's what our close ally in the war on terror has been up to.

Continue reading "Dissent Of The Day" »

28 Dec 2007 11:29 am

Deciphering Romney

Deal Hudson gives up:

It's clear from his convoluted statements on embryonic stem cells that Romney's thoughts on this issue are still far from coherent and consistent.

So far as I can tell, the only truly consistent thing in Romney's life is his own ambition. If this race ends up between Clinton and Romney, it really will be two hollow shells ricocheting off each other's opportunism.

28 Dec 2007 11:25 am

An Obama Surge?

I find it hard to disagree with any of this. In Obama, the Democratic party has a chance for a landslide in the 2008 election, something they will immediately forfeit with the divisive, cynical, hollow candidacy of Hillary Clinton. In Obama, disaffected Republicans also have a chance to punish their own party for its abandonment of conservatism, embrace of dumb authoritarianism abroad and spendthrift liberalism at home. The logic is overwhelming to me, but it's good to see it echoed in the Washington Times. If the Democrats throw this opportunity away in favor of a corrupt dynasty, it will be the biggest self-inflicted blow since ... well, John Kerry and Harry Reid.

28 Dec 2007 11:16 am

Rednecks vs Gay Marriage

A reader writes:

Is it really so puzzling why lower middle class people go to church but have higher rates of abortion, illegitimacy, and divorce?  Very often people who lack a quality are the ones who obsess ostentatiously about it.  That applies, not just to family virtue, but to many other traits -- intellect, culture, beauty, class, professional achievement. People who insecure about possessing a quality compensate by displaying conspicuous signs that they have it.

A paralegal, for example, anxious about her class, will carry a Gucci handbag to try to show that she is rich and fashionable.  An aristocrat, living on inherited money earned four generations ago, is more confident and wears a favorite five year old jacket when she walks outside in the snow.

The same pattern applies to family virtue.

Continue reading "Rednecks vs Gay Marriage" »

28 Dec 2007 11:15 am

Gay Primary Voters

Alas, they're not much of a force any more in Republican ranks - the candidates clearly don't want us. But among the Democrats, whatever the polls say, the gay vote in Iowa and New Hampshire seems as divided and conflicted as the straight vote.

28 Dec 2007 10:55 am

Poseur Alert

America's reigning master of bullshit weighs in on the baseball steroid scandal. It is of course, a metaphor for everything:

Just about everybody, it seems, is on one kind of steroid or another these days. They're trying to find a way around reality with steroids that boost their career, or conceal their motives, or propel them into a crowd that magnifies their personal power. The Stephen Glasses, James Freys, Jayson Blairs, J.T. Leroys, and Scott Thomas Beauchamps inject themselves with the steroid of fake facts. The religious fundamentalists have the steroid of fanatical self-righteousness, and the scientific fundamentalists who react to them have the steroid of, well, fanatical self-righteousness. The political bloggers make use of the steroid of implacable outrage. The libelous, or seductive, or predatory Internet user rides high on the steroid of an "avatar." And there is the steroid of political messianism boosting the pro-Iraq War crowd, and the steroid of cynical groupthink juicing up audiences addicted to the "comedy" news shows. And there is that most American steroid of all — the one that seems to give you a way to triumph over your own limitations — the credit card.

Lee Siegel has won the Poseur of the Year Award before. But the prize for 2007 is still open. Today is the last day for voting. Have at it.